Dec. 21, 2006 – Do you know someone, a business, a governmental department, or a group that's done something nice for the territory's environment? If so, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency hopes you'll nominate them for its annual Environmental Quality Awards. The deadline for nominations is Feb. 14.
The awards are made at the EPA's New York office in conjunction with April's Earth Day observance.
"What better way for us to mark that occasion than by honoring those organizations and individuals whose work has furthered the cause of the environment and whose dedication stands as an inspiration to us all," EPA Region 2 Administrator Alan J. Steinberg said in a news release issued Thursday.
EPA's Region 2 covers New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
EPA spokesman Chris Sebastian said it was important for others — not just the EPA — to recognize people who do outstanding environmental work. Additionally, he said that the awards help to inspire others to emulate the winners.
"And it re-energizes them in a lot of cases," he said of the winners.
The awards recognize achievement in six categories: individual citizen; nonprofit organization, environmental or community group; environmental education; business and industry; federal, state or local government or agency; and press and media.
The EPA also proposes nominees, and self-nominations are welcome.
Last year, architect Doug White, Mario Francis of the Junior Gardening and Ecology Academy and Lillian Moolenar of the Planning and Natural Resources Department received the awards.
The above winners are not eligible for nomination this year, but those from previous years may be nominated.
Nomination forms are available online.
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