MERIDIAN - The City of Meridian celebrates Earth Day by recognizing individuals, businesses, and organizations that demonstrate great commitment and innovation to environmental stewardship within our community.
 
The Meridian Public Works Department is currently accepting nominations for the 2024 Environmental Excellence Awards. "We are excited to recognize and honor those who have gone above and beyond to make Meridian a greener and more sustainable place to live,” said Jason Korn, Public Works Environmental Programs Coordinator.
 
Award nominations are now open and will be accepted until August 1, 2024. Nominees will be considered for their sustainability efforts in many categories, including:

• Environmental Education and Outreach – teaching how to about and investigate their environment, and make informed decisions about how they can take care of it.
• Transportation – promoting increased fuel efficiency or supporting alternative forms of transportation
• Energy Efficiency/Green Building – projects promoting green design, positive ecological footprints, advanced energy efficiency, or improved air quality
• Water Quality/Conservation – responsible water source management, reduce pollution sources or improve landscape with drought tolerant plants or green stormwater infrastructure
• Waste Reduction/Pollution Prevention – improving processes to reduce waste, recycle/reuse materials, and reduce the use of hazardous substance

“We are deeply grateful for the City of Meridian recognizing the efforts and work of those involved in the Heroes Park and Kleiner Park Pollinator Garden Projects,” said past winner Juli Bokenkamp of the Kleiner Park Pollinator Project and Meridian Co-Op Gardeners. “Winning the Environmental Excellence Award was confirmation that we are making a tangible difference in our community.” 
 
Winners will be honored at a City Council Meeting in the fall of 2024.
 
Nominations can be submitted online at meridiancity.org/eea.