INDIANAPOLIS — Grace College was among six organizations honored at the Governor’s Awards for Environmental Excellence in Indianapolis earlier this week.

The Governor’s Awards for Environmental Excellence recognizes Indiana’s leaders who have identified and implemented innovative environmental practices into their programs and facilities.

The awards program is open to all Indiana facilities, state and local units of government, individuals, and technical assistance organizations that implement exemplary environmental projects with measurable results.

“These awards recognize Indiana’s leaders who have implemented the most innovative, sustainable, and exemplary programs or projects.” Bruno Pigott, commissioner of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM).

Commissioner Pigott and Rebecca Holwerda, Senior Operations Director for Gov. Eric Holcomb, presented the awards during the 22nd annual Pollution Prevention Conference and Tradeshow held at the Marriott North in Indianapolis.

Grace College was honored for its initiative in environmental outreach and education with The Lilly Center for Lakes and Streams.

The Lilly Center for Lakes & Streams developed four unique environmental education programs to teach local K-12 students about the proper care and appreciation for lakes and streams.

These programs, Classroom Lake Experience, Lake Adventure Day, Aquatic Petting Zoo and Lakes & Streams Art Contest, emphasize supplementing local educators’ curricula. The programs are aligned with state educational standards and have been proven to increase participants’ understanding of their role in protecting these resources.

Each program has widespread support from local school corporations, businesses, and other organizations. 

Since 2015, the Classroom Lake Experience has had 5,205 student participants, Lake Adventure Day has had 2,626, Aquatic Petting Zoo has had 949, and the Lakes & Streams Art contest has had 885.

Other honorees included:

• Cummins Incorporated, Columbus, for its efforts in energy efficiency and renewable resources with its “Cummins Virtual Power Purchase Agreement.”
• The city of Bloomington for efforts in greening the government with it’s “Sustainability Planning & Implementation.”
• Jennings County Pollinator Committee, North Vernon, for land use and conservation with its initiative “Share Some Space.”
• Helmer Scientific, Noblesville, in pollution prevention with it’s “Gen 4 Project.”
• The city of Greendale for their recycling and reuse efforts with its “Curbside Recycling Program.”