TRENTON The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection invites those on the front lines of protecting New Jersey's environment to nominate individuals, businesses or organizations in the public and private sectors for the 2019 Governor's Environmental Excellence Award, Commissioner Catherine R. McCabe announced Monday, Aug. 19.
The annual award recognizes outstanding environmental performance, programs and projects by businesses, communities, educators, individuals, institutions, organizations and youth from around New Jersey. Since its establishment in 2000, the program has honored 179 winners for their environmental achievements.
New Jersey is proud to honor those who work hard every day and set a strong example of what it means to protect the environment, McCabe said. Past winners of Governor's Environmental Excellence Awards have shown dedication to environmental protection in a variety of sectors, including working to reduce the harmful effects of climate change, increasing sustainable practices or repairing water infrastructure.
Nominations may be submitted through Friday, Oct. 4 in the categories of Climate Change and Clean Air, Water Resources, Health Ecosystems and Habitats, Land Conservation, Healthy and Sustainable Communities, Healthy and Sustainable Businesses, and two categories in Environmental Education: Educator-Led and Student-Led Projects.
The excellence awards program is sponsored by the DEP, New Jersey Infrastructure Bank and the New Jersey Corporation for Advanced Technology. Award winners will be honored at a luncheon in December.
Those who safeguard New Jersey's environment are deserving of special recognition, said David Zimmer, Executive Director of the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank. The Governor's Environmental Excellence Awards are always an exciting event as they provide us the opportunity to hear about the many projects across the state that are nominated for both their innovation and success in conservation and environmental protection.
Completed applications for the 2019 awards program must be received by 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4.
For a 2019 nominating application and additional awards information, see www.nj.gov/dep/awards/.
