TDEC reviewing nominations for 2015 Environmental Stewardship Awards

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) completed the nomination process for the Governor’s 2015 Environmental Stewardship Awards on Tuesday. 

Presented in 10 categories, the awards were created to recognize Tennesseans whose efforts to protect their local environment go above and beyond. The categories are: Building Green; Clean Air; Energy and Renewable Resources; Environmental Education and Outreach; Environmental Education and Outreach (school category); Land Use; Materials Management; Natural Heritage; Sustainable Performance and Lifetime Achievement.

The TDEC issued a call for nominations of individuals, businesses, organizations and agencies last week, with several stipulations. The nominees had to be in Tennessee and in compliance with the department’s regulations for three consecutive years. Also, the projects they were nominated for had to be completed during 2014.

Moving forward, a panel of judges drawn from several sectors, including agriculture, conservation, forestry and academic, will review the nominations, which will be judged on criteria such as on-the-ground achievement, innovation and public education. After their deliberation, the panel will announce the 2015 Environmental Stewardship Award recipients in May.