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Secretary of the Army Awards Program: Recognizing the role of environment and sustainability in mission accomplishment

What is it?

The Secretary of the Army Environmental and Sustainability Awards programs confer the Army's highest honor for environmental stewardship on those installations, teams and individuals making strides in endangered species protection, historic preservation, waste reduction, environmental cleanup, pollution prevention and sustainable environmental stewardship.

What has the Army done?

Seven installations, three teams and one individual will receive a Secretary of the Army Awards for their achievements. The winners of the fiscal year 2008 programs are:
- Camp Johnson, Vermont Army National Guard - Environmental Quality, Industrial Installation
- U.S. Army Garrison Bamberg, Germany - Environmental Quality, Overseas Installation
- Camp Navajo, Arizona Army National Guard - Cultural Resources Management, Installation
- Fort Bragg, N.C. - Environmental Restoration, Installation
- Camp Ripley Maneuver and Training Center, Minnesota Army National Guard - Natural Resources Conservation, Large Installation
- Combined Support Maintenance Shop, Michigan Army National Guard - Pollution Prevention, Non-industrial Installation
- Field Maintenance Shop #2 Pollution Prevention Team, North Carolina Army National Guard - Pollution Prevention, Team
- Fort Drum, N.Y. - Cultural Resources Management, Team/Individual
- Fort Hood, Texas - Sustainability, Installation
- Fort Carson, Colo. - Sustainability, Team
- Maj. Laura McHugh, Pennsylvania Army National Guard - Sustainability, Individual

Why is this important to the Army?

Sustainability and environmental programs enable the Army to strengthen readiness by maintaining training and testing areas; reduce costs and minimize impacts by using resources wisely; and enhance the well-being of our families and neighbors by improving the health of land, water and air resources, managing wildlife and preserving our culture.

What's planned for the future?

More and more environmental and sustainability initiatives are becoming ingrained in the Army's total approach to transforming its installations.

Resources:

U.S. Army Environment Command Web site

Army Strategy for the Environment

Army Sustainability Report

Foresight 2007, Climate Change and Army Sustainability

Army Public Involvement Toolbox

INFORMATION YOU CAN USE

- 2008 Strategic Communication Guide - Read the 2008 Army Strategic Communication Guide for key messages and updates

- Strategic Communication Coordination Group (SCCG) Workspace

- Army Public Affairs Portal

- Stories of Valor

- Speaker's Toolkit

- Information Papers with " 2008 Army Posture Statement"

- Early Bird News Site

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The Army Community Relations Calendar

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The White House Blog

U.N. peacekeeping training conducted in Thailand

CALENDAR

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NEWS ABOUT THE ARMY

• NCO academy teaches leadership in virtual environment (ARNews)
• Army transforms NCO Corps with new initiatives (ARNews)
• SETAF NCO honored for bravery (ARNews)
• America's last draftee: "I'm a relic" (Time)
• Kansas Army National Guard discharges first gay Soldier (KC)
• Video: Body armor update (ARNews)
• Warrior Adventure Quest replaces 'battlefield rush' with high-intensity outdoor activities (ANews)

WAR ON TERROR NEWS

• Audio: First in a three-part series: Iraq security improving, challenges remain (NPR)
• 30,000 cap for troop ramp-up (CT)
• Iran offers 'dialogue with respect' with U.S. (NYT)
• Poll of Afghans shows drop in support for U.S. mission (WP)
• Taliban haven in Pakistani city raises fears are raising U.S. fears (NYT)
• Baghdad: Four former Gitmo detainees in Iraq (MH)

OF INTEREST

• Obama reviewing ban on photos of military coffins (WP)
• Female flag officers honor first woman four-star (ARNews)
• Troop obesity doubles since 2003 (USA)
• U.S. military chief sees pressure on systems budgets (Reut)
• GIs, spouses tell Mullen of concerns (WD)
• Pentagon nominee to face recusal difficulties (WT)
• Audio: Where dogs who fight in war zones are treated (NPR)

WORLD VIEW

• Iranians mark 30 years of Islamic revolution (AA | Article)
• Iran's president says talks with U.S. possible (GM | Article)
• Miliband admits Afghan stalemate (GRD | Article)
• U.S., Canada to focus on Afghan mission (TO | Article)
• U.S. says details of Cuban prison still secret (FT | Article)
• Turnout up amid tight Israel race (BBC | Article)

WHAT'S BEING SAID IN BLOGS

• Keeping the faith: A letter to President Obama (AD)
• Army National Guard (TO)
• Al Qaeda's paramilitary 'Shadow Army' (LWJ)
• Iraqi, coalition forces discover multiple bombs in Iraq (TO)
• Push-ups (MTTA)

ARMY SPORTS

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Army's driver set to defend Daytona 500 crown