Contacts:
Vicky Viens, (802) 241-3487

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

WATERBURY – In a state full of many devoted to a sustainable and green future, certain businesses and individuals stand above the rest.

The Agency of Natural Resources is looking for these candidates for the 2010 Governor’s Awards in Environmental Excellence and Pollution Prevention. The deadline for the applications is December 31, 2009. The 2010 awards are for projects completed by the end of the year.

Awards are presented during Earth Week by the Governor in a ceremony at the Statehouse. “All winners showed the type of initiative and innovation that drives Vermont’s unparalleled reputation as an environmental leader,” the Governor said in April of this year’s winners.

Winners are chosen for seven categories:

Pollution Prevention
Projects that reduce or eliminate the generation of pollutants and wastes at the source. The award category also includes toxics use reduction (TUR) efforts.

Earth Stewardship & Resource Protection
Projects with measurable and direct benefits to air, soil or water, i.e. fish, wildlife and human communities dependent upon a clean and healthy environment.

Land Use & Land Use Planning
Projects that preserve or conserve land to create ecological and environmental benefits or that advance smart growth alternatives.

Resource Conservation
Projects that conserve resources and protect the environment by minimizing resource consumption, applying the strategies of reduced consumption, reuse, recycling and energy efficiency. Education & Outreach Projects that inform and educate others about environmentally responsible practices or that empower citizens to enhance the quality of the environment for local, regional or global communities.

Environmental Justice and Sustainability
Projects that achieve greater environmental/economic justice and/or efficiency and help Vermonters to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Youth Environmental Citizenship Award
Projects accomplished by a young person or young people (21 years or younger) that achieve significant positive environmental outcomes.

For more information, visit the website at www.eaovt.org/gap/index.htm or call Vicky Viens (802-241-3487, 800-974-9559.)