Six Southwest Ohio Businesses, Organizations, Communities, and Schools Receive Awards for Encouraging Environmental Excellence
COLUMBUS, OH (September 2023) – Ohio EPA Director Anne M. Vogel is celebrating 48 businesses and organizations that are going above and beyond to protect Ohio’s environment and continue to show their commitment to environmental stewardship.
“Ohio is the heart of sustainability, and we’re committed to recognizing those at the forefront of innovation and stewardship,” said Ohio EPA Director Anne M. Vogel. “We’re excited to reward companies that are helping children grow up in a safe environment and partnering to support the communities they call home. Their work inspires all of us to do more, and we are proud to share in their success.”
Ohio EPA’s Encouraging Environmental Excellence (E3) program recognizes businesses and organizations through four levels of recognition: Achievement, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. The Encouraging Environmental Excellence in Communities (E3C) program recognizes local governments and communities, which can work toward three levels of recognition: Achievement, Silver, and Gold. The Encouraging Environmental Excellence in Education (E4) program recognizes K-12 public and private schools, which also work through three levels of recognition: Root, Branch, and Leaf.
Upper Valley Career Center (Miami County, E4 Branch) utilizes 187 acres of natural landscape to teach its natural resources students and opens this area to local schools for field trips related to environmental education. The facility converts natural waste and manure from the vet science program to mulch and fertilizer. The cafeteria uses reusable service ware and all lighting throughout the school is LED.
More details about this year’s awardees’ accomplishments, and additional information about the program are available on Ohio EPA’s Encouraging Environmental Excellence webpage.