The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) is calling upon residents of Tennessee to submit nominations for the 2025 Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Awards. These prestigious awards recognize individuals, businesses, and organizations that have shown a strong commitment to safeguarding the state’s natural resources.
There are ten distinct categories in which nominees can be recognized, including Agriculture and Forestry, Building Green, Clean Air and Transportation Solutions, Energy and Renewable Resources, Environmental Education and Outreach, Materials Management, Natural Resources, Water Quality, Sustainable Performance, and Lifetime Achievement. Notably, the Clean Air category has been expanded to include Transportation Solutions, which has been integrated from another program.
Nominations are open to a wide array of participants, including individuals, companies, organizations, agencies, and educational institutions. To be eligible, projects must have been completed within the two years leading up to December 31, 2024, or for long-term initiatives that were finalized in the year preceding the nomination deadline. Additionally, all nominees must be based in Tennessee. It is important to note that nominees must demonstrate a minimum of three years of continuous compliance with TDEC regulations. Furthermore, self-nominations are encouraged, allowing individuals and organizations to advocate for their own contributions to environmental stewardship.