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Governor’s Awards for Environmental Excellence

Indiana Governor's Awards for Environmental Excellence logo

Nominations for the 2026 Governor's Awards for Environmental Excellence are now available!

Begin your nomination today!

Presented annually since 1994, the Governor’s Awards for Environmental Excellence (GAEE) recognize Indiana citizens, government agencies, businesses, organizations, and educational institutions for outstanding achievements that positively impact Indiana’s environment.

GAEE are reserved for the most innovative, transferrable, and effective programs or projects with measurable environmental, economic, and social benefits.

The selection process is highly competitive, with nominations falling into one of the award categories. Only one award per category is presented.

By recognizing these achievements, the GAEE increases awareness of effective environmental practices and encourages implementation of sustainability efforts.

For more than 25 years, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has managed the Indiana Governor’s Awards for Environmental Excellence to recognize exemplary environmental practices. The award is open to all Indiana facilities, state and local units of government, individuals, and technical assistance organizations that implement outstanding environmental projects with measurable results. Nominations and applications submitted to IDEM are reviewed by a selection committee comprised of representatives from industries, environmental organizations, educational organizations, and government officials.

Nomination Deadline

The deadline for acceptance of nominations for the 2026 Governor’s Awards for Environmental Excellence is Friday, March 6, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. 

Eligibility Requirements

Indiana citizens, government agencies, businesses, organizations, and educational institutions may submit a nomination or be nominated for the award. For a program or project to be eligible, it must have been:

  • Located in Indiana.
  • Fully implemented/finalized in the two years prior to the nomination deadline or, for long term projects, finalized by the year prior to the nomination deadline.
  • Performed voluntarily (not the result of federal or state mandates, regulations, or enforcement decrees).
  • Be in good standing with all Indiana State agencies.

Guidelines for Preparing a Nomination

Complete the Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence Nomination Form on the IDEM Forms Page.

Nomination Writing Tips:

  • Write in plain language and avoid the use of technical jargon. Nominations are evaluated by a wide variety of reviewers with varied backgrounds.
  • Review the “Award Categories” tab above for descriptions and ensure the project qualifies.
  • Provide clear, measurable, and documented metrics. Review the Metrics Table on the “Award Criteria” page and ensure the nomination adheres to the suggested formats when communicating metrics.
  • For questions about the nomination process, or assistance in compiling your nomination please contact the Indiana Governor’s Awards for Environmental Excellence.

The nomination packet should include:

  1. A completed GAEE Nomination Form
  2. Four photos of the project with explanations, preferably in a PowerPoint
  3. Any supplemental material(s).

Submit one (1) copy of the nomination packet by U.S. Mail, email, or hand delivery to the Office of Program Support. Nominations must be received by IDEM no later than 11:59 p.m. EST on Friday, March 6, 2026.

Once submitted, if you do not receive confirmation of receipt, please contact the Office of Program Support.

The award categories and their descriptions are as follows:

  • Energy Efficiency/Renewable Resources

For projects or programs that prevent pollution by reducing energy use or by producing energy using zero- or very-low-emission technologies. Examples include efforts to significantly increase the energy efficiency of buildings or equipment, the use of environmentally benign energy production technologies, and/or the use of innovative technologies that reduce dependence upon energy sources that generate high emissions.

  • Environmental Education and Outreach

Recognizes excellence in education or outreach programs promoting environmental stewardship or resulting in enhanced environmental protection. Examples include creative school presentations and assemblies, hands-on group activities, green marketing techniques, or business outreach and media campaigns. One-day events are not eligible.

  • Five Year Continuous Improvement

Applies to a business or industry that has achieved proven environmental results through a comprehensive environmental management system, such as ISO 14001. Nominees must verify that the environmental management system has been in place at the facility for at least five (5) years. Nominations should describe several projects which have resulted from implementation of an environmental management system and led to significant environmental benefits. Only those nominations demonstrating exceptional continued environmental excellence through proven results will be considered for an award.

  • Greening the Government

Recognizes local, county, or state government which pursue improvements in environmental performance within their own operations as part of a broader Greening the Government effort. To be eligible in this category, the nominee should demonstrate a comprehensive sustainability initiative, which includes implementation of environmentally focused projects. This category is designed to shine a light on communities and/or government agencies that are making significant strides towards building greener, more sustainable communities and/or operations. This can include a wide range of projects including, but not limited to, sustainable energy, pollution prevention, community gardens, brownfields redevelopment and reuse, education initiatives, green infrastructure, waste audits, decreased emissions, and recycling programs.

  • Land Use/Conservation

Recognizes projects that incorporate innovative and effective methods or practices to preserve or improve land use. Examples include the revitalization of underutilized or contaminated land; the preservation of green space; sustainable farming practices; invasive species elimination; habitat protection/creation; timber stand improvement; or the reduction of urban sprawl. Specific examples include redevelopment of brownfields; increasing density/decreasing lot size; building public green spaces; turning abandoned landfills into parks, preserves, or other productive uses; implementing innovative smart growth policies or comprehensive plans; and transitioning marginal agricultural lands into wildlife habitat. Special consideration will be given to projects that prevent pollution or include extensive public participation.

  • Pollution Prevention

Recognizes innovative projects that meet the definition of pollution prevention or source reduction (i.e., reducing the amount of any hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant entering any waste stream or otherwise released into the environment [including fugitive emissions] prior to recycling, treatment, or disposal; and reducing the hazards to public health and the environment associated with the release of such substances, pollutants, or contaminants). Example projects include equipment or technology modifications; process or procedure modifications; product reformulation or redesign; substitution of raw materials; improvements in housekeeping and/or maintenance; training; and inventory control. Pollution prevention DOES NOT include energy recovery; treatment of a waste stream; disposal; recycling; any practice that alters a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant once it is generated; practices not necessary for production; practices that create new risks to human health or the environment; or general environmental management practices (rather than a specific pollution prevention project that resulted from an environmental management system).

  • Recycling/Reuse

Recognizes outstanding reuse or recycling programs using innovative methods to reduce the amount of waste sent for final disposal. Projects can address residential, commercial, or industrial waste streams or “buy recycled” purchasing initiatives. The nominated project should demonstrate reuse, recycling, and/or buying recycled components. Examples include commercial business operations that have fully integrated waste reduction operations; programs that have created extensive “buy recycled” purchasing policies and practices; and schools that have implemented comprehensive recycling/waste reduction programs. Programs/projects that do not address reuse, buying recycled, and/or recycling issues throughout the entire operation of the organization will receive a lower ranking.

Award Recipients

Information on both the most recent and previous award recipients may be found below. Each link will have one or more files containing a summary of each project. High resolution photographs are available for each of this year's recipients.

  • 2025

    Environmental Education and Outreach (Two Awards)

      Central Noble Community Schools; Albion, Noble County

      Central Noble Community School uses a Forest Kindergarten model center where children are immersed in an outdoor education center. They offer a model for learning-led, inquiry-based teaching with an emphasis on social and emotional development to assist children in problem solving and critical thinking, which fosters children’s willingness to learn.

      Lilly Center for Lakes and Streams; Winona Lake, Kosciusko County

      Lilly Center for Lakes and Streams engages approximately 12,000 K-12 students annually. By means of classroom aquariums, field trips, outdoor experiences and annual art contests, these projects helped foster environmental responsibility by making water conservation hands-on and accessible.

    Land Use and Conservation (Two Awards)

      The Muncie BWQ is improving water quality by propagating freshwater mussels into the  local waterways. Freshwater mussels can individually filter 15-20 gallons of water a day*, by using their gills to extract food from the water column. They remove bacteria (including E. coli), excess nutrients, sediment and pathogens while also retaining sediment and reducing erosion when the mussels bury themselves.

      Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District (HCSWCD)  developed a coalition of individuals and organizations to remove invasive species, restore native species, and map invasive species hotspots.

    Recycling and Reuse (Two Awards)

      Since 2010, the Hornet’s Nest Reuse Store has been operated by the Jackson County Solid Waste Management District to educate the community on the importance of reusing clothing and housewares. Reuse keeps materials out of the landfill and saves even greater resources and energy than recycling. The solid waste district has partnered with organizations in the region to have additional impacts on reductions and fill material needs.

      Pepper Construction; Indianapolis, Marion County

      Started in 2023, the Pepper Construction Waste Reduction Program is providing a highly effective onsite construction recycling program to reduce costs to customers through a unique partnership with Construction Waste (CW) Recycling. Pepper’s program makes participation easy because there is no additional cost to customers and it does not require the time and effort for construction workers to segregate materials by type (concrete, cardboard, wood and metals) onsite.

  • 2024

    Environmental Education and Outreach

    • Dubois Co. Soil and Water Conservation District: The Vincennes University Jasper Campus Land Stewardship Initiative, a partnership between the Dubois County Soil and Water Conservation District and the Vincennes University Jasper Campus, continues to educate farmers and others about increasing crop yield through healthy soil practices.

    Five-Year Continuous Improvement

    • Eli Lilly and Company (Indianapolis): Lilly’s commitment to reducing environmental risk through pollution prevention and sustainability practices and its dedication to continual improvement projects is demonstrated through employee education and internal communication, continuous improvement, innovation, and outreach. The company’s approach has led to reductions in waste, hazardous waste, energy consumption, and costs.

    Land Use and Conservation (Two Awards)

    • Delta Institute and Hobart Sanitary District: Delta Institute and the Hobart Sanitary District collaborated on restoring the Duck Creek Tributary, which reduced flooding by decreasing the amount of sediment and increasing the amount of rainwater captured while restoring native plant and animal communities. Outreach activities were done at the local and regional levels to ensure the effectiveness of the project, transparency, and ongoing community support.
    • Hendricks Co. Recycling District: In 2023, the Hendricks County Recycling District built a new recycling center in Lizton on a brownfield site that was previously a filling station. The new facility replaced an unattended but active recycling center in the community that was experiencing increasing levels of misuse and abuse. Now, friendly, active and knowledgeable attendants greet residents, answer questions and enforce the recycling rules to ensure that only those materials that can be recycled are accepted. As a result, contamination is nearly non-existent. Since its grand opening, the Lizton Recycling Center has been visited more than 20,000 times and has collected almost 250 tons of recyclables.  This project was funded in part by the Indiana Community Recycling Grant Program.

    Pollution Prevention

    • Electro-Spec (Franklin): Although Electro-Spec once used trichloroethylene (TCE) in a vacuum vapor environment to safely degrease metals, the chemical can cause environmental issues if not handled properly.​ Alternative solvents did not have the low surface tension required to clean small parts or work in ​Electro-Spec's equipment. The purchase of a new vacuum vapor degreaser allowed Electro-Specto eliminate the use of TCE in their facility and resulted in a three-year cost savings of over $10,000. The machine also helps employees with ergonomic issues by enabling it to be operated without heavy lifting and bending.

    Recycling and Reuse (Two Awards)

    • Dearborn County Solid Waste Management District: The Dearborn County Solid Waste Management District has a robust group of reuse programs, including a reuse center for school and craft supplies, a formal dress exchange, a costume exchange, an event décor lending program and a holiday item giveaway. The purpose of all of the reuse programs is to divert reusable materials from disposal in landfills while, at the same time, supplying residents with valuable, needed items. The programs help educators in Dearborn County save money on classroom items and provide a place for educators to donate items they no longer need. Meanwhile, local families save money on events and give single-use items, such as costumes, a second life.
    • Muncie Sanitary District: In 2023, the Muncie Sanitary District (MSD) received a grant from the Indiana Recycling Market Development Program. Through grant funding and the required 50% match, the district purchased one recycling truck, updated another and purchased 3500 new residential recycling bins to update the city's 25-year-old sort and bag residential recycling program. MSD's online opt-in pledge program allowed residents to receive a free 96-gallon blue recycling bin after receiving information on how to recycle correctly and take a pledge to do so. Over 8,000 households took the pledge in 2023. As a result, MSD added another recycling route to their daily operations; runs three recycling trucks a day to accommodate the growing recycling curbside signups; offers a weekly curbside pickup to residents on their scheduled trash day; and partners with several local businesses and other organizations, to pick up their recycling. After five months of collecting recyclables at the curb in the new totes, MSD collected an estimated 490 tons (980,000 lbs.) of recycled materials and eliminated the need for residents to sort their recycled materials by type.

Previous Year Award Recipients

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