Nominations Open for Governor's Environmental Stewardship Awards

Each year, the Governor's Environmental Stewardship Awards honor outstanding accomplishments that support the protection and enhancement of Tennessee's natural resources. Nominating an individual, group, or organization for their achievements is a meaningful way to promote conservation and recognize effective environmental leadership in Tennessee. 
 
Nominations are currently being accepted for the 2023 Governor's Environmental Stewardship Awards, and I am asking you to draw on your knowledge and experience to help us identify organizations and individuals who are improving the quality of Tennessee's land, air, and water.  
 
The Governor's Environmental Stewardship Awards include ten categories: 
1.    Agriculture and Forestry
2.    Building Green
3.    Clean Air
4.    Energy and Renewable Resources
5.    Environmental Education and Outreach
6.    Materials Management
7.    Natural Resource
8.    Water Quality
9.    Sustainable Performance
10.    Lifetime Achievement

Any individual, business, organization, educational institution, or agency is eligible, provided it is in Tennessee and the project was fully implemented and/or finalized in the two years prior to December 31, 2022, or for long-term projects finalized by the year prior to the nomination deadline. All nominees must have a minimum of three consecutive years of overall environmental compliance with TDEC. Self-nominations are encouraged.
 
A panel of judges representing agricultural, conservation, forestry, environmental, and academic professionals will select award recipients based on criteria including level of project or program completion, innovation, and public education. The deadline for nominations is March 17, 2023. Award recipients will be announced in the summer of 2023. 
 
We need your help. If you feel like an individual or group would be a good candidate for the awards, direct them to the nomination forms and other pertinent information on our website. 
 
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation is encouraged that so many citizens and organizations take action to ensure Tennessee communities are healthy places to live, work, and play. I hope you will make time to nominate deserving Tennesseans for their environmental commitment, efforts, and achievements. 
 
Thank you for supporting this important statewide program. 

Kathy Glapa
Office of Sustainable Practices 
615-253-8780
Kathy.Glapa@tn.gov