Green awards grow at Fort Custer
National Guard Bureau, Secretary of the Army and Department of Defense recognize Michigan Guard
June 30, 2010
LANSING, MICH.-Fort Custer has been awarded the national Environmental Stewardship Award for implementing the best overall environmental program within the 54 National Guard states and territories. The award is extra special to the Michigan National Guard because Michigan is the only state to have won the award twice.
"I had no clue, it was totally out of mind," said Michigan's Environmental Program Manager Greg Huntington. "I was attending the (National Environmental) workshop and was told to keep my team together. When the globe-shaped trophy appeared on stage I realized that we were either the winners or in the top two. It was exciting."
The national Environmental Stewardship Award follows the Secretary of the Army Award for environmental and sustainability program achievements received in February and the Department of Defense Environmental Award received in April.
"We seem to be growing green awards," said Lt. Col. Dennis Nadrasik, Fort Custer post commander. "But more importantly, I am proud of our accomplishments to both preserve Michigan's natural gifts while at the same time use the land to train our Soldiers in the military tactics needed to defend our nation."
The national Environmental Stewardship Award is given based on an overall environmental score in the areas of compliance, conservation, resources, clean-up and recognition bonuses. Each state or U.S. territory is rated against a complex set of criteria in each of the areas and unlike other awards, the Environmental Stewardship Award is granted to a state or territory based on the National Guard Bureau's independent evaluation, not based on application impressiveness so each year's winner is somewhat of a surprise.
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For more information contact Michigan National Guard Public Affairs Representative Angela Simpson at 517-481-8135.
