FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. -- FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. – The Marine Corps won three of the nine awards presented during the 2013 Secretary of Defense Environmental Awards, April 19.
Each year the program honors individuals, teams and installations for completing their mission while staying environmentally conscious.
Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler, Japan, was recognized for superior environmental quality for an overseas installation. Camp Butler’s extensive environmental training program is unmatched thought DoD installations in the Pacific, according to the DoD award press release. The installation completed more than 20 erosion control projects and collected 4.5 million kilograms of recyclables in fiscal years 2011 and 2012. Their work generated nearly $2 million in proceeds.
Environmental conservation does not end with keeping nature clean, installations must work with the local community to preserve the history and culture found on and around DoD Installations.
Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, S.C., was awarded for its cultural resource management. The air station engaged private landowners to conduct archeological studies around Townsend Bombing Range, Ga. The installation’s Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Office surveyed and recorded cemeteries and burial plots on the air station to identify 386 graves that can now be properly protected.
In the individual cultural preservation category, June Noelani Cleghorn, senior cultural resources manager for Marine Corps Base Hawaii, was awarded for her work. Cleghorn executed an agreement enabling eight military construction projects and educated personnel on consulting with native Hawaiian organizations. She also developed a program for cultural resources management staff to teach historical artifact preservation and field survey techniques to Wounded Warrior and Fleet Assistance Program Marines.
According to the Department of Defense, protecting the land, air and water on and around its installations is a priority. The Marine Corps mission to respect and maintain all natural and cultural resources ensures mission success with minimal or no environmental and cultural impact.
“I applaud all of the nominees for their exceptional efforts in protecting the environment and human health, as well as in preserving the resources at our installations to support training and operations,” said Frank Kendall, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics. “Their efforts exemplify the Department of Defense's environmental leadership, both in the United States and overseas.”