First U.S. Military Base To Be So Recognized
Naval Air Station Jacksonville (NAS Jax) became the first
military installation to be recognized by the United Nations
Non-governmental Organization Earth Society Foundation receiving
the Earth Trustee award for across-the-board environmental
stewardship at a ceremony held at the United Nations Monday.
The air station recognition was in conjunction with the annual
Earth Society Foundation Peace Bell Ringing Ceremony at the UN.
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Environments Donald
Schregardus, NAS Jax Commanding Officer Capt. Jeffrey D. Maclay,
NAS Jax Environmental Department Director Kevin Gartland and Fleet
Readiness Center Southeast Hazardous Waste Manager LS1 Mike
Whitehurst were presented an Earth Trustee plaque and Earth flag.
The event was sponsored by the UN Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
The prestigious Earth Trustee award was presented to NAS Jax for
its leading edge role to improve the energy and water efficiency of
its operations. Earth Society Foundation Chairwoman Helen Garland
praised NAS Jacksonville environmental stewardship and the strides
the U.S. Navy is making in the protection of the environment,
particularly, NAS Jacksonville's stewardship in protecting the St.
Johns River with its goal of attaining a zero discharge. Garland
presented the Earth Trustee plague and Earth Society Foundation
flag to Schregardus, Maclay, Gartland and Whitehurst.
Daw Aye aye Thant, daughter of U Thant, former United Nations
Secretary-General (1961-1971) and the Honorable Donald Schregardus,
deputy assistant secretary of the Navy for Environment were among
the distinguished guest speakers at the ceremony.
"It's an honor to be hear today globally celebrating life and a
dedication to thinking and acting as responsible Earth Trustees,"
Schregardus said.
"The Department of the Navy takes its responsibility seriously
to protect our nation and the resources entrusted to us. Secretary
of the Navy Ray Mabus has set visionary goals for reducing energy
usage, developing alternatives to petroleum based fuels, and
supporting sustainable practices," he added. "NAS Jacksonville is
one example of the leadership and dedication of our Sailors and
Marines to achieving these goals. In cooperation with the community
they are protecting the environment and being a catalyst for
change.
"Furthermore, their investments in sustainable infrastructure,
the building of partnerships, and protection of oceans and
waterways sets foundations for a strong future. I thank you for
this recognition and congratulate the men and women of NAS
Jacksonville who help us achieve this high standard," Schregardus
said.
"I am both humbled and pleased that NAS Jacksonville was
selected as the first military installation to be honored by the UN
NGO Earth Society Foundation," said NAS Jacksonville Commanding
Officer Capt. Jeffrey Maclay immediately after receiving the
award.
"This award is a reflection of the station's leading-edge
environmental program and the Navy's commitment to Environmental
Stewardship, particularly energy efficiencies targeted at
increasing mission effectiveness," added a greathearted Maclay.
"NAS Jax has a strong environmental partnership with federal, state
and county governments, and regulatory agencies and surrounding
communities. Furthermore, our 23,000 military, civilians and
contractors have taken a proactive environmental compliance and
leadership mindset towards covering the installation's 24,000 acres
of airfields, industrial repair facilities and bombing ranges. Our
environmental conservation also includes the protection of 22
threatened and endangered species, 5,000 acres of forests and 2,200
acres of wetlands."
The air station's other recognitions include the Secretary of
the Navy 2010 Gold Level of Achievement Award for energy and water
management, awareness and conservation; the LEED (Leadership in
Energy and Environmental Design) Silver certification from the U.S.
Green Building Council for two projects, P-3 Hangar 511, and the
Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southeast Operations Center;
and was recognized by the North Florida Transportation Planning
Organization Clean Cities program for leading the way in energy
conservation for "Going Green."
NAS Jax increased its electric vehicle fleet from 44 to 60, the
largest in the southeast region. The air station reclaimed 473,690
pounds of used engine oil and sold it to a vendor for over $40,000
in revenue for NAS Jax MWR program. Station personnel also recycled
over 1,800 tons of ordnance and targets; 600 tons of glass, paper,
cardboard, plastic, wood, used oil and antifreeze. The station also
recently completed Florida's largest solar-thermal equipment
installation at Aviation Survival Training Center.
NAS Jax also works closely with an adjacent private golf course
to divert over 250,000 gallons a day of treated wastewater from the
station's wastewater treatment plant for reuse in the golf course's
irrigation system. The station also partnered with the State of
Florida and the City of Jacksonville to complete a $175,000 design
of a system to reuse the remaining 750,000 gallons a day from the
plant to irrigate the air station golf course and ball fields.