Twelve environmental groups, scientists, companies, educators and students from across New Jersey were recognized for their leadership to protect and improve the environment, with a Governor’s Environmental Excellence Award (GEEA).
During the Dec. 7th ceremony, Groundwork Elizabeth was one of the 12 organizations/individuals noted for work in the areas of Clean Air, Water Resources, Healthy Ecosystems, Innovative Technology, Land Conservation, Healthy and Sustainable Business, Environmental Education Student Led, Environmental Education Educator Led.
The Elizabeth based non-profit was recognized for fostering Healthy and Sustainable Communities for their work in Urban Agriculture in Elizabeth and surrounding neighborhoods in Union County.
Bob Martin, the NJDEP Commissioner, along with host for the program David Zimmer from the NJ Environmental Infrastructure Trust, presented the award to Executive Director Jonathan Phillips and Farm and Garden Director Jackie Park Albaum at the New Jersey State Museum in Trenton. Also on hand to represent Groundwork were Gregory Waga, Groundwork’s Board President and Kristine Versola, who is working with Groundwork through the AmeriCorps Program as a VISTA.
The Governor’s Environmental Excellence Awards (GEEA) are the state’s premier environmental awards program for recognizing outstanding environmental performance, programs and projects in the state. Including the most recent event, the program has recognized 160 winners since 2000. A panel of judges reviewed and scored nominations that featured unique or valuable environmental projects and activities.
The other awardees included the Delran Township School District for Clean Air, Jersey Water Works for Water Resources, George Zimmermann, Ph.D. for Healthy Ecosystems, AeroFarms for Innovative Technology, the NJ Corporate Wetlands Restoration Partnership for Land Conservation, Merck, & Col, Inc. for Healthy and Sustainable Business, NJ Water Environmental Association for Environmental Education (Educator Led), and Project Reservoir, PS 28, Jersey City School for Environmental Education (Student Led).
For more information about GEEA, visit: www.nj.gov/dep/eeawards/. For more information about Groundwork, visit their website at http://www.groundworkelizabeth.com/ , or log onto their Groundwork Elizabeth Social Media websites.