By Paul Scicchitano

The White House recently honored 15 US government organizations for outstanding environmental stewardship.

Another 13 organizations received honorable mentions during an awards ceremony on June 17 in the Natcher Auditorium of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The winners were selected out of some 200 nominations in seven categories: Environmental management systems, pollution prevention, recycling, green product purchasing, alternative fuels, electronics stewardship and sustainable buildings.

“The President believes that we all have a responsibility to our children to leave this Earth better than we found it,” explains Dana Arnold of the White House Office of the Federal Environmental Executive (OFEE), which administers the annual awards program. “All Americans must have a vested interest in the protection and proper maintenance of our irreplaceable national treasures.”

Defense Supply Center Richmond’s (DSCR’s) Environmental Management team was among the winners of the 2009 award, which recognizes the achievements of federal employees and facilities that promote environmental stewardship. DSCR’s Environmental Management Systems Implementation Team won in the military category for EMS Benefits to a Department of Defense Installation.