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.

FMI: www.navy.mil