The Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award Program is California’s highest environmental honor. The program recognizes individuals, organizations, and businesses that have demonstrated exceptional leadership and made notable, voluntary contributions in conserving California’s precious resources, protecting and enhancing our environment, building public-private partnerships and strengthening the State’s economy.
The annual Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award Program is administered by the California Environmental Protection Agency, in partnership with the Natural Resources Agency, the Department of Food and Agriculture, the State Transportation Agency, the Business, Consumer Services, and Housing Agency, the Labor and Workforce Development Agency, and the Health and Human Services Agency.
Who May Apply/Eligibility
The awards will be presented for voluntary achievements culminated in 2014. Competition is open to all California residents, businesses, non-profit organizations, professional and trade associations, communities, state and local government entities, tribes, and federal agencies operating in California. Projects are deemed ineligible if they are the result of mitigation, litigation, or required by legislation. Those who applied previously are welcome to apply again.
Applications & Award Categories
- Environmental Education (Apply Here, PDF)
Unique and exemplary educational programs that raise awareness of, and involvement in, environmental issues. Applicants with programs for K-12 students must submit standards-aligned curriculum materials and/or delineate web-based, standards-aligned curriculum materials. - Ecosystem and Land Use Stewardship (Apply Here, PDF)
Innovative and sustainable approaches to land, water and resource management that restore or protect natural conditions, functions and processes, and provide economic, social and environmental benefits including productivity and sustainability of forests, farms or other natural resource lands, or conservation of open spaces. Examples of Ecosystem Services related to Agriculture can be found on the California Department of Agriculture’s website. - Climate Change (Apply Here, PDF)
Innovative and forward thinking projects/programs that 1) reduce/mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and/or adapt to the adverse effects of climate change on public health and our vast natural resources; and 2) provide economic and business-related benefits. - Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Dealers (Apply Here, PDF) Efforts made by a California automobile dealer or dealership group to enhance and promote the sale of Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs) within the state.
- Sustainable Practices, Communities or Facilities (Apply Here, PDF)
Pioneering efforts and/or completed projects that demonstrate 1) efforts to integrate environmental values and conservation of natural resources into comprehensive, long-term and management of businesses and facility; or 2) effective project design or development of local communities and landscapes that make efficient use of land, which includes multimodal transportation options and connectivity, improved economic vitality, the availability of affordable housing, the protection of public health and safety, optimized energy efficiency and the conservation of local watersheds, habitats and other sensitive lands. - Waste Reduction (Apply Here, PDF)
Exemplary achievements in conserving and protecting natural resources and reducing costs by incorporating efforts such as waste prevention, reuse, recycling, composting, environmentally-preferable purchasing, and product design and stewardship.
Selection/Criteria (for all categories except Ecosystem and Land Use Services and Zero Emission Vehicle Dealers)
A Selection Committee will evaluate applications for strength in eight specific areas: Results, Transferability/Scalability, Environmental Impact, Resource Conservation Impact, Economic Progress, Innovation/Uniqueness, Pollution Prevention, Public Health, and Environmental Justice. These criteria will be considered in the competitive weighting of nominations and are described below. Evaluations will take into consideration differences in size, region, and scope of projects, as needed.
- Results: Steps taken to achieve results are described; results are defined in measurable terms; environmental and economic benefits are identified and documented.
- Transferability/Scalability: Project concept can be scaled and/or transferred to other parties such that impact (or could have potential impact) on State environmental and economic goals is measurable and significant.
- Environmental/Resource Conservation Impact: Accomplishment includes more than one environmental media or resource; project or program has long lasting and sustainable impact; magnitude of impact is described and significant.
- Economic Progress: California’s economy is enhanced; measurable benefits are identified and realized; new/better jobs are created and new markets developed.
- Environmental and Economic Partnerships: Project or program fosters unique, cooperative and collaborative approaches between the private, public and/or non-profit sectors to achieve demonstrable results in both environmental and economic improvement.
- Innovation/Uniqueness: Demonstrates basic practice to unique, innovative practice; a paradigm shift in approach; demonstrates a “pioneer” spirit; ahead of the marketplace and profitability.
- Pollution Prevention: Achieves measurable reductions in the generation of waste through source reduction; increased public-private awareness of pollution prevention; exemplifies best practices with a cross-media focus.
- Public Health: Achieves measurable improvements to community environments (social, economic, physical, and services) that result in tangible benefits to public health.
- Environmental Justice: Significantly raises the awareness and addresses environmental issues in areas adversely affected by environmental pollution and hazards; builds and/or raises the involvement of local/grassroots communities and/or California tribal communities in the project or program; builds community leadership/stewardship to address environmental issues.
The deliberative process of the Selection Committee is confidential and all decisions are final subject to applicable California state law. A nomination may be considered in a category different from that in which it is nominated.
For any questions regarding the application process, please contact Nilan Watmore at Nilan.Watmore@calepa.ca.gov.