Environment DEC
From the January 2007 issue
DEC Presents Third Annual Environmental Excellence Awards
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has chosen six winners of the third annual New York State Environmental Excellence Awards for outstanding efforts in environmental innovation, sustainability and partnerships. DEC established this awards program in 2004 to recognize innovation, sustainability and creative partnerships that achieve exceptional environmental, social and economic benefits for New York State.
Representatives from the six companies were honored at an awards ceremony held in Albany
2006 Award Recipients
In alphabetical order, the winners of the 2006 Environmental Excellence Awards are as follows:
Council on the Environment of New York City
The not-for-profit Council on the Environment of New York City was honored for promoting sustainable rainwater harvesting practices in New York City's community gardens and green spaces. Each year their efforts divert more than 325,000 gallons of rainwater onto gardens rather than into stormwater drains. The Council convenes educational workshops and assists community gardeners in identifying alternate water resources and building low cost systems.
Monroe County
Monroe County was honored for establishing the Monroe County Stormwater Coalition, an outstanding inter-municipal partnership. The Stormwater Coalition comprises 27 municipal separate storm sewer system operators. Coalition members work collaboratively to improve water quality in a cost-effective manner by developing ordinances, correcting infrastructure problems and administering a multi-faceted education and training program. The Monroe County Stormwater Coalition serves as a model for inter-municipal stormwater coalitions throughout the state.
Rochester City School District
The Rochester City School District, Monroe County, was honored for its commitment to improve energy efficiency through an innovative and fiscally sound energy management program. Concurrently, the district advances the education of sustainability, energy efficiency and renewable energy to K-12 students and teachers throughout the district. As part of this innovative program, the district provides an incentive for participating schools by returning 50 percent of documented annual energy savings to fund energy-related educational expenditures.
The Nature Conservancy and Lyme Timber Company
The Nature Conservancy and the Lyme Timber Company were honored for an innovative partnership to protect 104,000 acres of forest land in the Adirondack Park. The Sable Highlands project balances the environmental, economic and land-use interests of multiple stakeholders. It also ensures sustainable use of forest land, protection of water quality and conservation of ecologically significant habitats.
Town of Cortlandt
The Town of Cortlandt, Westchester County, was honored for leadership in open-space preservation. The town has taken a holistic approach to land preservation with all regulatory boards working in cooperation to maximize preservation efforts. The town's multi-faceted approach to land preservation is grounded in the principals of smart growth planning, land conservation and conservation easements.
Xerox Corporation, Webster Campus
Xerox Corporation, Webster Campus, Monroe County, was honored for its product stewardship and sustainable manufacturing facilitated by its implementation of an environmental management system. Xerox has pioneered the practice of converting end-of-life electronics into new products, developed an innovative life-cycle analysis process to maximize material recyclability and has improved awareness of its recycling program, resulting in an overall plant site reuse/recycle rate of 81 percent for all materials used in this facility.
New York Environmental Leaders
DEC is developing an ongoing environmental leadership program. New York Environmental Leaders will focus on recognizing and providing incentives to organizations that demonstrate long-term commitments to superior environmental management and performance. More information on the Environmental Leaders program is available on DEC's website. Additional details about the Environmental Excellence Awards program and about past and present award winners can be found on DEC's website as well.
