Applications open for Illinois Governor's Sustainability Award

[March 15, 2014]  CHAMPAIGN — The application period is open for the Illinois Governor's Sustainability Award. The program is the state's premiere honor for achievements in protecting the environment, helping sustain the future and improving the economy. Applications can be submitted at www.istc.illinois.edu/info/govs_awards.cfm.

The Governor's Sustainability Award is the nation's oldest continuing pollution prevention program, beginning in 1987. Last year, 27 business and organizations were recognized for their significant efforts in simultaneously advancing the "triple bottom line" — people, planet, profits — within their organizations.

"Advancing the ‘triple bottom line' catalyzes economic and job growth within Illinois while still preserving our natural and cultural resources," according to Kevin O'Brien, director of the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center, which administers the award. The center is a division of the Prairie Research Institute at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Any Illinois public or private organization is eligible to apply for the award. Winners are selected through a rigorous process of review and examination by technical assistance experts from the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center.

For more information and to apply for a 2014 Governor's Sustainability Award, visit www.istc.illinois.edu/info/govs_awards.cfm. The deadline for application submittal is at the close of business on May 15. Applications must be submitted online.

The awards will be presented in the fall in the Chicago area.

[Text from file received from Illinois Sustainable Technology Center]

The Prairie Research Institute at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is the home of the Illinois State Scientific Surveys: Illinois Natural History Survey, Illinois State Archaeological Survey, Illinois State Geological Survey, Illinois State Water Survey and Illinois Sustainable Technology Center. The institute was established by statute in 2008 and builds on the surveys' reputations for basic and applied research and service.

The Illinois Sustainable Technology Center was established in 1985 and joined the Prairie Research Institute with the other surveys in 2008. Its mission is to encourage and assist citizens, businesses and government agencies to prevent pollution, conserve natural resources and reduce waste in order to protect human health and the environment of Illinois and beyond.