Iowa businesses, organizations and citizens are invited to apply for the Governor's Iowa Environmental Excellence Awards. These awards are the premier environmental honors in Iowa, recognizing leadership and innovation in the protection of Iowa's water, land and air.

"As Governor, I am committed to protecting the land, lakes, rivers and streams that we all love," said Governor Culver. "To do so will require the hard work of all Iowans, including Iowa's business community. I am proud to recognize those businesses who share in our common commitment to the environment, and I encourage all those who are joining in our efforts to keep Iowa beautiful to apply for the Governor's Environmental Excellence award."

Awards will be given for overall Environmental Excellence, along with Special Project Awards in:
• Air Quality
• Energy Efficiency/Renewable Energy
• Habitat Restoration
• Waste Management
• Water Quality
• Environmental Education
• Disaster Recovery

This year, two special project categories have been created. The first, for Environmental Education, will recognize a program that helps to engage and empower participants to be stewards of their local natural resources.

In addition, a Disaster Recovery category exclusively for 2008 will honor an organization that utilized beneficial environmental practices in recovering from one of this year's destructive weather-related events.
The awards program is coordinated by the Iowa Governor's Office, the Department of Natural Resources, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, the Iowa Department of Economic
Development, the Iowa Department of Education, the Iowa Department of Public Health and the Iowa Waste Reduction Center.

To download an application, go to www.iowadnr.gov/other/ee/index.html; applications are due Jan. 31, 2009.