Awards Categories

The Governor's Environmental Stewardship Awards has ten categories. Each category represents a different area of environmental stewardship and sustainability. Applications in each category are judged on seven different judging criteria areas, which can be found on our Awards Criteria page.

The Agriculture and Forestry award will demonstrate innovation in implementation of practices supporting sustainable agricultural and/or forestry activities. Nominations may include but are not limited to programs and projects that incorporate environmentally-friendly asset management, water and stormwater management, soil conservation practices implementation, fertilization approaches, farming techniques, processing, byproduct and materials management, transportation, and other food systems production techniques. Special consideration will be given to projects that result in the production of  more profitable and resource efficient, higher quality, equitable, and healthier agricultural goods or services as well as those projects that enhance communities, build resilience and prioritize partnerships.

2024: Ethan and McKenzie Foster; Maury County

osp_gesa_2024-ag

The Building Green award recognizes innovation in siting, structure design and use, deconstruction and construction techniques, supply chain materials sourcing, operation efficiency (water use, energy efficiency), longevity, flexibility of use, protecting occupant health and productivity, and reduction in overall carbon footprint as applied to the built environment and land use projects or developments. A project using in-fill, brownfields, underutilized land, preservation of green spaces in site design, the repurposing of existing structure(s), and/or the incorporation of livable community/complete street designs will receive special consideration.

2024: James Lawson High School; Davidson County

osp_gesa_2024-bg

The Clean Air and Transportation Solutions award will recognize initiatives that demonstrate measurable progress in reducing criteria or hazardous air pollutants; acid rain precursors; greenhouse gases and other air emissions sources; and/or air deposition loading to land and water. Nominations may include programs and projects that utilize pollution prevention technologies, logistics, infrastructure, and/or operational change to result in improved air quality. Transportation-focused initiatives may include enhanced transit or multimodal transportation, projects that result in emissions reductions from on-road mobile sources and non-road sources, and/or transportation demand management projects. Special consideration will be given to initiatives that demonstrate broader community benefits, a commitment to equitable access, and/or transportation solutions for diverse audiences. Cap and trade activities will not be considered.

2023: OxyChem, Humphreys County

osp_gesa_winner-poster-11

The Energy and Renewable Resources award recognizes projects that further the widespread use and adoption of alternative fuels (e.g., electricity as a transportation fuel, renewable natural gas, hydrogen, etc.) or novel domestic fuel sources; energy conservation, efficiency, and resiliency strategies; or implementation of innovative energy or alternative fuel technologies. Nominations may also include projects that improve the energy efficiency of buildings, vehicles, or equipment, implement environmentally friendly energy production technologies, develop advanced energy technologies, utilize renewable energy resources, or involve the use of any innovative technologies that reduce dependence on traditional fossil-fuel-based energy sources. Special consideration will be given to nominations that demonstrate a comprehensive approach to energy issues and highlight the relationship between environmental benefits and associated social and economic benefits.

2024: Knoxville Utilities Board; Knox County

osp_gesa_2024-err

The Environmental Education and Outreach award recognizes an outstanding education and/or outreach program that promotes environmental stewardship, increases citizen awareness, and results in enhanced environmental protection. Nominations may include demonstration projects, awareness campaigns, or programs allowing communities to address environmental issues such as waste reduction, energy and water conservation, or non-point source pollution.

2024: Tennessee Environmental Council Davidson County

osp_gesa_2024-eeo

The Material Management award recognizes conservation and protection of natural resources and cost reduction through waste prevention, reducing toxicity, re-use, recycling, composting, environmentally-preferable purchasing, supply chain dynamics, as well as product design and stewardship. Nominations may include projects addressing input change, product reformulation, and production process redesign, conservation techniques, material re-use and beneficial land application. Special consideration will be given to nominations that demonstrate a comprehensive approach and highlight the relationship between the environmental benefits and the associated social and economic benefits.

2024: The University of Tennessee; Knox County

osp_gesa_2024-mm

The Natural Resource Conservation award recognizes innovative approaches, methods, and achievements in preserving, protecting, restoring, and enhancing Tennessee's natural resources in a variety of environments. Nominations may span a wide range of activities that address Tennessee;s natural, geologic, or ecological resources include in open space, wetlands, estuaries, biological diversity, endangered species, and preservation of land or conservation. Projects may also include efforts that occur in Tennessee's rural, suburban, and urban areas that result in preservation, restoration or development of green spaces, greenways, or other major public projects that result in parks or natural aquatic features for communities. Special consideration will be given for integrated approaches that benefit Tennessee's natural resources, preserve cultural resources, and enhance communities.

2024: The Garden Club of Nashville; Davidson County

osp_gesa_2024-nr

The Sustainable Performance award recognizes a holistic approach to achieve sustainability and integrated environmental values and conservation of natural resources into comprehensive, decision making, and long-term leadership from management of businesses and facilities. Nominations must demonstrate achievement in multiple operational areas such as facility lifecycle, supply chain management, community engagement, employee involvement, and product or service design and delivery.

2024: Vanderbilt University; Davidson County

osp_gesa_2024-sp

The Water Quality and Conservation award will demonstrate measurable progress and innovation in improving water quality, preserving water quantity, enhancing aquatic resource integrity, or employing practices in water treatment or water resource conservation and protection. Nominations may include programs and projects that incorporate water resource restoration, conservation and protection, installation of pollution prevention technologies, alternative water supplies, and facility or system design, logistics, or operational change that result in improved water quality or more efficient water use. Special consideration will be given to projects that integrate innovative solutions and technologies in improving water quality and increasing conservation and demonstrate potential for applicability by others.

2024: The University of Memphis; Shelby County

osp_gesa_2024-wq

Pursuit of Excellence

2024: Rockwood Sustainable Solutions; Wilson County

The Robert Sparks Walker Lifetime Achievement award is given to an individual who has devoted at least 20 years of effective and valuable service to Tennessee's environmental protection or conservation stewardship. Past winners have demonstrated notable personal achievements in various areas, such as natural resource management, conservation, education, public service, and political support toward Tennessee's conservation and/or environmental protection.

2024: Clarence Coffey; Cumberland County

Press Release of the Lifetime Achievement Award

Contact

Kathy Glapa
Office of Sustainable Practices
615-253-8780
kathy.glapa@tn.gov