UF seeks nominations for Sustainable Solutions Awards

February 15, 2010

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The University of Florida Office of Sustainability has opened nominations for the Second Annual Sustainable Solutions Awards as part of the “40 Days of Action for the Earth” for Earth Day 2010.

Nominations run through March 26, and award recipients will be announced April 21 at the Earth Day Celebration, following UF President Bernie Machen’s annual State of Sustainability address.

The awards recognize individuals or teams that have made significant contributions toward advancing sustainability at UF. Qualifying projects will have helped to realize UF’s sustainability vision in the categories of waste reduction, water conservation or energy conservation.

“The Sustainable Solutions Awards provides an opportunity to recognize individual and collective talents, and leverage those successes for the university community,” Anna Prizzia, director of the Office of Sustainability, said. “We continually aim to expand the conversation about what sustainability means for UF and how everyone – students, staff and faculty – can help realize that vision.”

Nominations are judged based upon their positive environmental, economic and social impact to UF, the extent to which they have engaged others, and their ability to be expanded or replicated among departments, units or groups on campus.

Awards will also be presented to the most active Green Team and student organization, and the “Bright Idea” award calls on students and staff to submit sustainable ideas for the university. Ideas are judged based upon their integration of the “triple bottom line” analysis (environmental health, human wellbeing, and financial performance) as well as their feasibility.

To nominate an individual or department, visit the Get Involved section of the Office of Sustainability Web site at www.sustainable.ufl.edu.