Shapiro Administration Now Accepting Nominations For 2024 Governor's Award For Environmental Excellence

On November 17, the Shapiro Administration issued an invitation for nominations for the 2024 Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence, the state’s top environmental honor.  The deadline for nominations is January 3.

Any Pennsylvania business, farm, government agency, educational institution, or nonprofit organization that has developed or participated in a project that promotes environmental protection and stewardship in the Commonwealth may apply.

The Department of Environmental Protection oversees the award selection process, evaluating projects on eight criteria: commitment to protecting the environment, partnership, environmental education and outreach, economic impact, innovation, climate change, sustainability, and environmental justice. 

The Governor’s Office will then select the awardees.

“We’re looking to uplift individuals and entities who have advanced environmental protection, education, and justice in the Commonwealth,” said Interim Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley. “These awards highlight forward-thinking organizations that are changing the environmental landscape. I encourage all environmental stewards to apply. Nominating a person or an organization will help showcase the many ways Pennsylvanians are improving and protecting the environment.”

Projects must have been completed between October 11, 2022 and October 31, 2023.

Twenty-one businesses, non-profits, schools, and agencies earned the 2023 Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence.   Read more here.

Awardees in 2023 achieved the following results--

-- Grew and donated nearly 10,000 lbs. of organic produce to people in need

-- Preserved over 1,500 acres of land and 32,000 LF of waterways

-- Planted approximately 17,000 grasses, 15,000 trees, and thousands of shrubs

-- Utilized 14 different DEP grants to accomplish their goals

-- Diverted 3,000,000 gallons of stormwater from local waterways

-- Served 13 Environmental Justice Communities

-- Added over 43 Megawatts of solar energy

-- Reduced greenhouse gas emissions by over 47,000 metric tons of Carbon Dioxide

-- Avoided the use of thousands of gallons of gasoline

-- Prevented approximately 400,000 lbs. of sediment from entering Commonwealth waterways

Applications are submitted online. Find more information on eligibility and the application at the Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence webpage. 

[Posted: November 17, 2023]  PA Environment Digest