Fairfax County Office of Public Affairs
12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 551
Fairfax, VA 22035-0065
Contact: Merni Fitzgerald, Director of Public Affairs
703-324-3187, TTY 711, Fax 703-324-2010
Media Pager: 703-324-NEWS (6397)
publicaffairs@fairfaxcounty.gov
March 4, 2008
2008 Fairfax County Environmental Excellence Awards Nominations Open
Fairfax County is accepting nominations for the ninth annual Environmental Excellence Awards through May 31. Awards will be given to residents, community groups, environmental organizations and local businesses for achievements that have occurred between June 1, 2007, and May 31, 2008, or for accomplishments that have occurred over a period of years, including at least a portion of the eligibility period. One or more awards may be given in each of the following categories:
- Fairfax County residents.
- Organizations.
- Businesses.
- Fairfax County government employees.
The Environmental Excellence Awards Program recognizes individuals, organizations and businesses that unselfishly dedicate time, energy and expertise to improve the environment in support of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors’ environmental goals. These goals, which were adopted by the board to foster a sustainable and vibrant living environment both now and in the future, are:
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Environmental protection: Preserving the county’s natural resources and
meeting or exceeding federal, state and local standards for water
quality, air quality and other environmental standards.
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Open space conservation: Preserving and protecting stream valleys,
woodlands and other ecologically valuable areas to protect plant and
animal life.
- Energy conservation: Promoting energy efficiency and energy conservation with public, commercial, residential and industrial sectors.
Environmental Excellence Award recipients will be selected based on their advancement or support of the county’s environmental goals and policy statements; their dedication of personal time and expertise beyond normal fiscal or civic responsibilities; and their role as a model for others to follow. Examples of activities meriting consideration for an award include:
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Identifying or protecting ecologically valuable habitats.
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Preserving or improving air quality.
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Restoring streams or other degraded natural environments.
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Controlling pollution or mobilizing communities to gather data to
measure the impacts of pollution.
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Cataloging ecological assets.
- Achieving regional or global environmental objectives beyond county borders, such as contributing to the restoration of the Chesapeake Bay.
The submission requirements, award criteria, nomination form and a list of previous recipients are available at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dpz/eqac/awards.htm. Nomination forms also are available at several county locations, listed below. The awards program is administered by the Fairfax County Environmental Quality Advisory Council (EQAC) and supported by the Fairfax County environmental coordinator and the Department of Planning and Zoning. Award recipients will be notified by Aug. 31, and the awards will be presented in the fall of 2008.
The Board of Supervisors’ environmental agenda, “Environmental Excellence for Fairfax County – A 20-Year Vision,” was adopted in 2004, and it identifies six areas of focus for environmental protection: growth and land use; air quality and transportation; water quality; solid waste; parks, trails and open space; and environmental stewardship. The 2004 plan and the board’s Environmental Improvement Program were recognized by the National Association of Counties with an Achievement Award in 2006. The environmental agenda and the Environmental Improvement Program for Fiscal Year 2009 are available at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/living/environment/eip/.
Fairfax County is one of the leaders of the national Cool Counties initiative, which was launched in July in partnership with the Sierra Club, to reduce local government emissions by 80 percent by 2050. Since 2003, the board has implemented more than $6 million worth of projects and programs to address air quality and global climate change. Further information on the Cool Counties initiative is at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/living/environment.
Key Dates and Contacts for Award Program
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Period of eligibility: June 1, 2007 – May 31, 2008
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Nomination period: March 1 – May 31, 2008
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Obtain nomination forms: Fairfax County Government Center, Lobby
Desk
Directions: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/government/facilities/
District Governmental Centers
Locations: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/government/board/
Fairfax County Web site:
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dpz/eqac/awards.htm
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Mail nomination forms: Environmental Coordinator
Office of the County Executive
12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 552
Fairfax, VA 22035
- E-mail nomination forms: EQAC@fairfaxcounty.gov
For more information, call the Fairfax County environmental coordinator
at 703-324-1788, TTY 711.
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