It’s that time of year again, when EPA Region 2 seeks applications for its annual Environmental Champions Awards (ECA). Each year we honor environmental trailblazers – individuals, businesses and organizations that have contributed significantly to improving the environment and protecting human health.
EPA is now seeking nominations of environmental stewards from New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands and eight federally recognized Indian Nations who have gone above and beyond for environmental progress in their communities. Winners will be honored at a ceremony in the Spring at EPA’s regional office in Manhattan. The Agency is accepting Nominations through February 3, 2017.
Last year, one of our ECA winners was Dr. Joseph A. Gardella, Jr., a distinguished professor at the University of Buffalo who served as co-chair of the Community Action Council at the Niagara Falls Storage Superfund site in Lewiston, NY. Dr. Gardella was instrumental in helping facilitate a dialogue between the community and the government which resulted in the excavation of 200,000 cubic yards of radioactive waste stored at the site, remnants of the Manhattan Project that produced the country’s first nuclear weapons.
To nominate an individual or organization, please visit EPA’s Environmental Champion Award webpage at http://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/environmental-champion-awards
The webpage includes details about award criteria, prior winners and application instructions.