2024 GOVERNOR'S ENVIRONMENTAL EXCELLENCE AWARDS

On Tuesday, December 10, 2024, Jane Rosenblatt Birkhofer, the state's Deputy Commissioner of Environmental Protection, opened the 2024 Governor's Environmental Excellence Awards (GEEA) ceremony with congratulations delivered on behalf of Commissioner Shawn LaTourette, who was out of town and unable to attend. At the ceremony, nine awards were presented on behalf of Governor Phil Murphy to honor the invaluable contributions of individuals, groups, organizations, and businesses demonstrating initiative and commitment to protecting New Jersey's air, land, water, open space, and fish and wildlife.

Awards were distributed to the following winners across seven categories:

Climate: The Climate Change Committee of Metuchen Public Schools won this category. They led initiatives to address the causes and impacts of climate change and reduce the district's carbon footprint. Among their many endeavors, the committee supported the integration of climate change education throughout the curriculum and collaborated with the Metuchen Shade Tree Commission to implement a local Tree Ambassadors program. These efforts included students hosting tree plantings, the installation of a hydroponic food tower, and an anti-idling campaign. The award was accepted by Dr. Vincent Caputo, Superintendent of Metuchen Public Schools, and Kate Lemerich, Secondary STEM Supervisor and District Sustainability Co-Chair.

Environmental Education: The Academy for Environmental Science, part of the Morris County Vocational School District, won this award. Their efforts included cleanups at Lake Hopatcong and conducting air particulate studies during the Canadian wildfire smoke events that impacted the air quality in New Jersey. The award was accepted by Heather Varner, Lead Teacher at the Academy for Environmental Science, and Patricia Vandigriff, Teacher of Environmental Literature. 

Environmental Justice: City Green, of Clifton, NJ, received this award for addressing the lack of green spaces in urban neighborhoods. Their Dig In! program, in collaboration with the Passaic County Board of Commissioners, created more than 75 community gardens, primarily in overburdened communities. These gardens produce healthy food, reduce stormwater runoff, provide wildlife habitats, combat the heat island effect, and beautify neighborhoods, improving overall quality of life. The award was accepted by Jennifer Papa, Founder and Executive Director of City Green, and Jasmine Moreano, Director of Community Engagement & Advocacy.

Healthy Communities: Shereyl Snider, an East Trenton Collaborative Community Organizer and Lead-Free NJ community hub leader, won this award. Among many of Shereyl's accomplishments, she has combated illegal dumping and spearheaded the Get the Lead Out of Trenton initiative, fostering a base of engaged community members working toward a healthier neighborhood. Shereyl Snider accepted the award herself.

Sustainability: Hikma Pharmaceuticals of Cherry Hill, a manufacturer of generic injectable medicines, earned this award for its commitment to environmental sustainability and reducing its environmental footprint. Initiatives included replacing facility-wide fluorescent lighting with LEDs, installing Level-2 EV car chargers, and preparing for the installation of large-scale solar panel parking lot canopies. These efforts reduced energy consumption by 1.23 gigawatt-hours annually—enough to power over 113,000 homes—and cut CO2 emissions by 527 tons per year. The award was accepted by Kris Wallace, Associate Director of Environmental Health & Safety at Hikma.

Watershed Management and Water Resources: Clean Ocean Action received this award for producing the annual Rally for Two Rivers to protect waterways. The organization collaborates with communities and the DEP to eliminate pathogen pollution in shellfish growth areas through canine scent tracking, community science efforts, and water quality monitoring. Their program also promotes watershed mindfulness through education, outreach, and improved stormwater management measures. The award was accepted by Swarna Muthukrishnan, Water Quality Research Director at Clean Ocean Action, and Kaylee DiPasquale, Community Science Program Coordinator.

Healthy Ecosystems and Habitats: This award went to the stewards of the Merrill Creek Reservoir, a 650-acre reservoir surrounded by more than 2,100 acres of forests and fields in Warren County. MCR uses a Forest Stewardship Plan to manage wildlife habitats and ecosystem services while implementing conservation projects to enhance ecological resources. This year's work included the creation and enhancement of "demonstration pollinator gardens" for butterflies, bees, hummingbirds, and other species, covering an acre of land. Additionally, another 172 acres of habitat management and the installation of 95 fish structures for monitoring were completed. The award was accepted by John Parke, Merrill Creek's Ecologist, and Guilaine Roussel, Principal at TERRA Engineers.

The James J. Florio Emerging Environmental Leader Award, which is given to a young New Jersey resident who demonstrates exceptional leadership and outstanding accomplishments in environmental protection, recognized Carolyn He, a student at the Academy for Math, Science, and Engineering at Morris Hill High School. Since 2023, Carolyn has led A Sustainable Future, a data-driven, tech-enabled, and student-centered approach to reducing academic printing. Her efforts have engaged over 200 students across 75 U.S. school districts, saving 1.7 million sheets of paper—equivalent to 170 trees, or the height of a 50-story building. Carolyn He accepted the award herself.

The prestigious Sullivan Award, named for New Jersey's first DEP Commissioner and a pioneering leader in environmental protection, was awarded posthumously to the late U.S. Representative Bill Pascrell, who passed away in August at the age of 87. Congressman Pascrell was a fierce advocate for public health, safety, and the environment in New Jersey. Throughout his career, he championed environmental policies, collaborated with the DEP, and secured funding for projects addressing industrial pollution, revitalizing communities, and delivering climate and flood resilience infrastructure. While Congressman Pascrell's family was unable to attend the ceremony, they acknowledged the award in spirit.

Left picture: Carolyn He accepting the James J. Florio Emerging Environmental Leader Award

Right picture: Swarna Muthukrishnan and Kaylee DiPasquale accepting the Watershed Management & Water Resources Award