Governor's Environmental Stewardship Awards Recognize Positive Impacts Across Tennessee; Three Additional Honors Announced
Deputy Commissioner Paul Sloan, Tennessee Department of Transportation and Land Trust for Tennessee's Jeanie Nelson All Receive Honors
NASHVILLE – Department of Environment and Conservation Commissioner Jim Fyke and Deputy Commissioner Paul Sloan presented the 2010 Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Awards at the Ellington Agriculture Center campus in Nashville today, recognizing 16 honorees whose efforts have made a positive impact on the state’s natural resources.
“Protecting our environment ensures that our communities remain healthy and strong,” said Fyke. “Today’s award ceremony honored those groups and individuals that have demonstrated true dedication in taking environmental stewardship to a new level. I commend all of our honorees and encourage all Tennesseans to follow their example in preserving our natural resources.”
In its 24th year, the Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Awards program recognizes exemplary voluntary actions that improve or protect our environment and natural resources with projects or initiatives that are not required by law or regulations. Thirteen awards were presented to individuals, community organizations and government agencies in a number of environmental categories.
Three additional honors were announced at today’s ceremony. They are the:
· Robert Sparks Walker Lifetime Achievement Award – Jeanie Nelson, The Land Trust for Tennessee;
· Governor’s Award for Excellence in Sustainable Transportation Solutions – Tennessee Department of Transportation; and
· Commissioner's Award for Exceptional Commitment and Public Service – Environment and Conservation Deputy Commissioner Paul Sloan.
The Robert Sparks Walker Lifetime Achievement Award
The Robert Sparks Walker Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Nashvillian Jean C. “Jeanie” Nelson, with The Land Trust for Tennessee.
Nelson currently serves as The Land Trust for Tennessee’s executive director and president of the board, a position she’s held since The Land Trust for Tennessee was founded by Governor Phil Bredesen. Nelson has served as chief deputy attorney general for Tennessee, general counsel for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the EPA administrator’s liaison to Vice President Al Gore’s office. She has also served as president of the Tennessee Environmental Action Fund (now called Tennessee Conservation Voters) and on the boards of the Tennessee Environmental Council and Southern Environmental Law Center. During his tenure as mayor of Nashville, Bredesen appointed Nelson a founding co-chair of the Metro Greenways Commission, and she was instrumental in identifying and procuring sites such as Shelby Bottoms Park.
“Each year, we recognize an individual who has devoted a lifetime of exemplary service to environmental protection or conservation stewardship in Tennessee,” said Sloan. “Through her work over the past 30 years, Jeanie Nelson has created a positive impact across Tennessee and beyond.”
Robert Sparks Walker was a native of Chattanooga and a leading Tennessee naturalist. Winners of this lifetime achievement award reflect Walker’s contribution to a greater awareness of Tennessee's environment and the need to preserve its natural beauty. Nominees must have at least 25 years of service devoted to enhancing Tennessee’s environment through natural resource management, conservation, education and public service. Previous winners include Dr. Patrick Doyle, Mack Prichard, Ann Tidwell, Gary Myers, Happy Birdsong, John Noel and Judge Larry Potter.
Governor’s Award for Excellence in Sustainable Transportation Solutions
A new addition to the 2010 awards roster is the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Sustainable Transportation Solutions, which was presented to the Tennessee Department of Transportation for their demonstrated performance over the past seven years. This new category acknowledges the role of thoughtful transportation planning, coordination, design, construction and operation in determining the conditions of our land, air and water for current and future generations.
“Moving people, goods and products across Tennessee is vital to the quality of our environment and communities,” said Sloan. “We are pleased to present TDOT with this inaugural award and appreciate their ongoing efforts in a number of areas including sensitive design, enhanced public participation, and progressive environmental and long-term planning.”
TDOT also was recognized for several initiatives and projects, including its innovative I-40 SmartFix project, ongoing stormwater management and education, and automotive fluids management. Also noteworthy are TDOT’s aggressive air quality improvements, including anti-idling policies, diesel emission reduction efforts, serving as an EPA SmartWay partner and expanding availability of alternative fuels for motorists.
Those eligible for the Sustainable Transportation Solutions award include transit organizations and providers, planning groups, construction companies, professional service firms and non-governmental organizations. Recipients may demonstrate innovation, creativity and improvements through specific projects or larger-system processes that qualify for this recognition. This can range from creative solutions for moving people from place to place in ways that reduce harmful air emissions to new ways for reducing our dependence on fossil fuels and helping eliminate needless congestion.
Commissioner's Award for Exceptional Commitment and Public Service
A highlight of this year’s award ceremony was the special recognition presented to Deputy Commissioner Sloan, who received the Commissioner's Award for Exceptional Commitment and Public Service.
“It has been a great privilege for me to work side by side with Paul Sloan,” said Fyke. “Recognizing his exceptional commitment and public service over the past five years was a very fitting end to today’s ceremony, as he has successfully managed the many challenges and priorities that define the department’s Bureau of Environment.”
Sloan joined the department in 2005 as head of the environmental regulatory bureau, leading the senior management team responsible for safeguarding human health and protecting the quality of Tennessee’s land, air and water.
Holding a law degree from Vanderbilt University, Sloan’s career includes success in education, law, business, and conservation advocacy. He was a founding board member of Cumberland Region Tomorrow, a former trustee of The Nature Conservancy and a former board member of the Cumberland River Compact.
With a long-standing interest in identifying practical ways public policy can create a more sustainable future for Tennessee and the region, Sloan has worked closely with Governor Bredesen’s office and other local, state and federal agencies on critical issues involving water resources, energy conservation and alternative fuels in Tennessee.
The complete roster of the 2010 Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Award winners is as follows:
· Agriculture / Forestry: King Dairy Farm / The King Family, Sullivan County
· Aquatic Resource Preservation: City of Athens / Athens – McMinn County YMCA
· Building Green: BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee / New Cameron Hill Campus, Hamilton County
· Commissioner's Award for Exceptional Commitment and Public Service: Environment and Conservation Deputy Commissioner Paul Sloan
· Energy Leadership: Nissan Americas, Williamson County
· Environmental Education / Outreach: The Water Quality Rainy Day Brush Off, Knox County
· Greenways and Trails: City of Clarksville Greenways, Montgomery County
· Green Schools / K-12: University School of Nashville, Davidson County
· Green Schools / Higher Education: Pellissippi State, Knox County
· Governor’s Award for Excellence in Sustainable Transportation Solutions: Tennessee Department of Transportation
· Hazardous Waste Reduction: Tri State Distribution, Inc., White County
· Natural Heritage: Friends of Warner Parks / Preservation of The Hill Forest, Davidson County
· Parks and Recreation: A Sustainable Bonnaroo, Coffee County
· Pollution Prevention: Chattanooga Green Lodging Certification Program, Hamilton County
· Robert Sparks Walker Lifetime Achievement Award: Jean C. “Jeanie” Nelson
· Solid Waste Reduction: Knoxville Regional Medication Collection Program, Knox County
For more information about the Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Awards program, please visit www.tn.gov/environment/awards/. Additional information about this year’s recipients can be found at http://www.tn.gov/environment/awards/10awds/10winners_1.pdf.
###