The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) is inviting Tennesseans to submit nominations for the 2019 Governor's Environmental Stewardship Awards.

"Being good stewards of our state's resources is part of what makes Tennessee the beautiful and remarkable place it is," Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee said. "These awards help show that we all can do our part, and I can't wait to see the potential solutions that individual Tennesseans come up with."

The Governor's Environmental Stewardship Awards include 10 unique categories: Building Green, Clean Air, Energy and Renewable Resources, Environmental Education and Outreach, Environmental Education and Outreach (school category), Land Use, Materials Management, Natural Heritage, Sustainable Performance, and Lifetime Achievement (professional and volunteer).

Any individual, business, organization, educational institution, or agency is eligible, provided it is located in Tennessee and the project was completed during the 2018 calendar year. All nominees must have a minimum of three consecutive years of overall environmental compliance with TDEC. Self-nominations are encouraged.

"These annual awards are a way to honor those who are voluntarily doing our state a great service in environmental protection and sustainable innovation," said TDEC Commissioner David Salyers. "They are also a way to inspire others to be involved in these efforts."

A panel of judges representing agricultural, conservation, forestry, environmental, and academic professionals will select award recipients based on criteria including level of project or program completion, innovation, and public education. The deadline for nominations is April 30, 2019. Award recipients will be announced in June 2019.

For more information about each category, judging criteria, and nomination forms, visit TDEC's website at https://www.tn.gov/environment/program-areas/opsp-policy-and-sustainable-practices/governor-s-environmental-stewardship-awards.html.