The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) seeks applicants for the 2013 Environmental Excellence Awards program,

“This year marks a milestone in environmental innovations for the Empire State,” DEC Commissioner Joe Martens said. “As we recognize 10 years of the exceptional work accomplished by previous award winners, Governor Cuomo and I invite the best and the brightest to submit applications about their project’s substantial environmental benefits.”

Martens said the DEC is interested in acknowledging projects that achieve significant environmental benefits through: green infrastructure projects as well as initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; cutting-edge pollution prevention technologies; initiatives to “green” businesses, farms, schools, recreational, health care and hospitality facilities; innovative wind, solar and biomass projects; creative natural resource/habitat protection or restoration efforts; energy efficiency improvements; innovative education and training programs; waste reduction and recycling efforts; manufacturing process improvements and creative approaches to urban forestry or farming, programs advancing “grown locally.”

Eligible applicants include businesses (i.e., small, medium and large businesses, manufacturing, power generation, retail, agri-business, hospitality etc.); not-for-profit organizations; education, health care and recreational facilities; individual(s) and local, state, federal or Indian Nation government agencies implementing innovative, sustainable actions or working in creative partnership to improve and protect New York’s environmental resources and contribute to a viable economy.

Completed applications for the 2013 awards must be post marked no later than Friday, May 10, 2013. Award winners will be honored at a 10th anniversary celebration and awards ceremony that will be held in the fall/winter 2013. Winners will have an opportunity to present and display information about their award-winning project or program.

Information about the award program and the 2013 application materials are available on DEC’s website at http://www.dec.ny.gov/public/945.html.