Charles E. Bennett and Christi Veleta Awards

The Environmental Protection Board annually presents two awards in the names of Congressman Charles E. Bennett and former EPB staffer Christi Veleta.  The awards honor individuals who consistently and diligently protect and preserve the natural resources of the City of Jacksonville and who promote environmental education and outreach.

2011 Award Winners
Charles E. Bennett Award Winner:  Neil Armingeon	Christi P. Veleta Award Winner: Mark Middlebrook

Charles E. Bennett Champion of the Environment Award 

Congressman Bennett’s Environmental legacy to Northeast Florida was to sponsor and champion the legislation which created the Timucuan Ecological and Historical Preserve which covers 46,000 acres in Jacksonville. This unique Preserve has over 300 privately held pieces of land and is the first to establish partnerships among federal, state and local agencies.

The EPB intends to present this prestigious award to the 2011 recipient at the August 19, 2011, Environmental Symposium to highlight and acknowledge an individual who has exhibited professionalism, diligence, and unwavering commitment as a Champion of the Environment in protecting or preserving our precious natural resources of the City of Jacksonville.

Charles E. Bennett Champion of the Environment Award Nomination Form

Christi Veleta Environmental Award 

The Christi P. Veleta Environmental Award was established July 16, 2010, by the Jacksonville Environmental Protection Board (EPB) in recognition of Mrs. Veleta’s more than two decades of meritorious service to the people of the Jacksonville community, environmental issues, and the protection and preservation of our natural resources.

Ms. Veleta displayed the highest levels of professionalism in her work with the EPB and a common thread throughout her illustrious career has been her passionate focus on a better quality of life for all the residents of Jacksonville through environmental education, awareness and action.

The inaugural award was presented to Ms. Veleta at the Environmental Symposium by Robert S. Schuster, P.E., Chairman of the EPB, in July 2010. The EPB intends to present this prominent award to the 2011 recipient at the August 19, 2011, Environmental Symposium to highlight and acknowledge an individual who has exhibited, over a long-term, environmental consciousness, displayed superior environmental initiative, and consistently promoted environmental education and outreach.

Christi P. Veleta Environmental Award Nomination Form