IDEM accepts applications for environmental awards

The deadline for nominations for the 2025 Governor’s Awards for Environmental Excellence is March 7. Awards will be presented in September.

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) announces that it is taking applications and nominations for the 2025 Governor’s Awards for Environmental Excellence. This marks the 32nd year the awards have been given to celebrate innovative projects with measurable environmental benefits.

Presented annually since 1994, the Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence has become one of Indiana’s most prestigious environmental awards.

This year, IDEM and the governor's office will present seven awards, one in each of the following categories:

• Energy Efficiency/Renewable Resources
• Environmental Education/Outreach
• Five-Year Continuous Improvement
• Greening the Government
• Land Use/Conservation
• Pollution Prevention
• Recycling/Reuse

The Greening of the Government category is designed to shine a light on communities and/or government agencies that are making significant strides toward building greener, more sustainable communities or their operations. IDEM recently updated the award criteria to include a wider range of projects that would allow state, county and local government agencies of all sizes the opportunity to have their successful programs recognized.

Citizens, government agencies, businesses, organizations and educational institutions are invited to submit nominations on behalf of others. Self-nominations (applications) are encouraged. Eligible projects must have occurred in Indiana and been implemented in 2023 or 2024.

The deadline for nominations is March 7. Awards will be presented in September. A panel of conservation, environmental and academic professionals review nominations. The awards will be based on project innovation, measurable results and transferability. 
Nomination forms and instructions are available at idem.IN.gov/partnerships/governors-awards-for-environmental-excellence.