About the JEPB Awards Program

The Jacksonville Environmental Protection Board (JEPB) established an awards program in 1975 to honor outstanding environmental accomplishments, in several categories, above the actions required by law. Over the years individuals or organizations have been chosen for the Outstanding Environmental Achievement Award because of their innovation, commitment and expertise.  The awards program also recognizes individuals who have long term commitment to the protection and preservation of the environment with two special awards – the Charles E. Bennett Champion of the Environment Award and the Christi P. Veleta Environmental Award.  In 2013 the JEPB began a partnership with Duval County Public Schools to celebrate and recognize leaders in the DCPS Green Champions Program.  A joint award is given along with a stipend for use at the school of the chosen recipient of the award.

JEPB Awards for Outstanding Environmental Achievement

The EPB Environmental Achievement Awards recognize individuals and organizations in Duval County for superior, creative and innovative efforts in the following categories:

• Individual
• Government / Institutional  (public sector or educational institution)
• Community / Civic  (nonprofits, social or civic groups, neighborhood assoc., etc.)
• Business  (more than 50 employees and/or annual sales of more than $5 million)
• Small Business  (fewer than 50 employees and/or annual sales of $5 million or less)

Some past accomplishments include:

• Turning a sewage treatment facility property into a bird sanctuary
• Taking waste water and, through land application, producing sod for commercial sale while diverting over a million gallons of waste water from the municipal sewage treatment plant nearby
• Establishing a unique way of educating young students regarding water conservation by initiating a play which grew to reach all the public elementary schools in Jacksonville
• Taking steps to control beach erosion through the recycling of Christmas trees
• Individuals taking note of their surroundings to report suspicious environmental activities which resulted in the arrest of an individual for illegal dumping of pesticides
• planting trees at DCPS schools and a major reforestation project where 6,000+ trees have been planted at the Cecil Commerce Center

Nominations Are Now Open for the 2025 Environmental Awards

The nomination period will be open through August 31, 2025. 
The 2025 awards will be presented during a luncheon to be held on Friday, November 21, 2025, at the Adam W. Herbert University Center on the campus of the University of North Florida. 

Government/Institutional

Clean Air Northeast Florida – for their efforts to produce the first greenhouse gas inventory and climate action plan for the region.

NS Mayport – for exceptional dedication to ecological education and community outreach programs, pollution prevention and resilience efforts.
 

Community/Civic

Riverside Avondale Preservation (RAP) – for their greening campaign of the Riverside Arts Market.

Individual

Eugene “Trey” Ford – for his inspiring passion and commitment to the environment and service to the community. 

Carly Smith – for her environmental leadership in support of the Duval Soil and Water Conservation District and local sustainability initiatives. 

Business

Symrise – for innovative technologies to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions resulting in air quality improvements to the facility’s neighboring residential community.

Environmental Award of Merit

Dr. Quint White – for longtime service to the community creating awareness of environmental issues 

JEPB Resilience Champion (in consultation with the CRO)

Emily Pierce – for leadership and advocacy of community wide issues associated with resilience.

Learn More About Our Major Awards (including 2025 winners)

Charles E. Bennett Award

Christi P. Veleta Environmental Award