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About the JEPB Awards Program
The Jacksonville Environmental Protection Board (JEPB) established an awards program in 1975 to honor outstanding environmental accomplishments, in several categories, above the actions required by law. Over the years individuals or organizations have been chosen for the Outstanding Environmental Achievement Award because of their innovation, commitment and expertise. The awards program also recognizes individuals who have long term commitment to the protection and preservation of the environment with two special awards – the Charles E. Bennett Champion of the Environment Award and the Christi P. Veleta Environmental Award. In 2013 the JEPB began a partnership with Duval County Public Schools to celebrate and recognize leaders in the DCPS Green Champions Program. A joint award is given along with a stipend for use at the school of the chosen recipient of the award.
JEPB Awards for Outstanding Environmental Achievement
The EPB Environmental Achievement Awards recognize individuals and organizations in Duval County for superior, creative and innovative efforts in the following categories:
- Individual
- Government / Institutional (public sector or educational institution)
- Community / Civic (nonprofits, social or civic groups, neighborhood assoc., etc.)
- Business (more than 50 employees and/or annual sales of more than $5 million)
- Small Business (fewer than 50 employees and/or annual sales of $5 million or less)
As population continues to increase and resources continue to be consumed, innovation will be the foothold to environmental sustainability. Over the years, previous winners of the awards have created many innovative solutions to what were previously pollution problems.
Some past accomplishments include:
- Turning a sewage treatment facility property into a bird sanctuary
- Taking waste water and, through land application, producing sod for commercial sale while diverting over a million gallons of waste water from the municipal sewage treatment plant nearby
- Establishing a unique way of educating young students regarding water conservation by initiating a play which grew to reach all the public elementary schools in Jacksonville
- Taking steps to control beach erosion through the recycling of Christmas trees
- Individuals taking note of their surroundings to report suspicious environmental activities which resulted in the arrest of an individual for illegal dumping of pesticides
- planting trees at DCPS schools and a major reforestation project where 6,000+ trees have been planted at the Cecil Commerce Center
Nominations for the 2022 JEPB Environmental Acheivement Awards are now being accepted
Nominations are now being accepted for awards in the categories shown above throuh August 19, 2022. Nominations are also being accpeted for the Charles E. Bennett Champion of the Environment Award and the Christi P. Veleta Environmental Award. The winners will be announced during the annual symposium to be held on October 14th and will be presented during a luncheon to be held on November 16th. Tickets will be available at a later date.
Winners of the 2021 JEPB Awards
During a liunchen held on November 17th, awards were presented to the winners listed below.
Government/Institutional
City of Atlantic Beach – for leadership of the municipal government and dedication of its citizens in protecting their rich environmental heritage and addressing the pressing challenges of climate change.
SJRWMD Blue Schools Grant Program – for significant efforts to increase the need for greater opportunities for middle and high school students to gain experiences in how to protect Florida’s water resources.
Community/Civic
Beaches Go Green – for their efforts to spread awareness and education around the issue of waste and its impact on the environment.
Riverfront Parks Now – for their efforts to engage and activate citizens around a comprehensive plan for riverfront development which stresses resiliency while maximizing public access and supporting private development.
Individual
Sean Lahav – for significant impact on the Jacksonville community through a wide array of exceptional achievements specifically related to the natural environment.
Brooks Andrews – for leadership in efforts to increase community awareness of issues associated around resiliency.
Dr. Joshua Gellers - for impacts both inside the classroom and out in the community in terms of generating environmental awareness, influencing local environmental policy, and helping to safeguard the community from environmental injustices.
Business
Coca-Cola Beverages Florida – for commitment to sustainability and efforts to reduce their environmental impact within their business, their customers and consumers and the communities they serve.
Environmental Award of Merit
Dr. Gerry Pinto – for significant impact to the Jacksonville community as a scientist, educator and advocate.
Learn More About Our Major Awards (including 2021 winners)
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