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14 February 2006: No 11/06

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE (DOD) ANNUAL ENVIRONMENTAL AWARDS PROGRAMME

The DOD Annual Environmental Awards Programme originated in 1983 to inspire units and members of the department to honour their responsibility towards the natural and built-up environment under their control as well as to give recognition to these units and individuals for their contribution to responsible environmental management in the military.

Currently there are eight categories in the Awards Programme, for which floating trophies are awarded annually.

The Endangered Wildlife Trust sponsors the oldest competition, which is the Ecological Management category on natural environment.

It is followed by the Base Environmental Management category for the built-up environment, which is sponsored by Caltex Oil.

The third category is in Environmental Education and Training, sponsored by the National Botanical Institute, while the Conservamus category in individual or team contributions to Environmental Services was sponsored by the then Deputy Minister of Defence, Mr Wynand Breytenbach.

The fifth category is the prestigious Integrated Environmental Management Systems competition, donated and sponsored by the SA NATIONAL PARKS.

Only units which have already been national finalists in at least two of the following categories: Ecological Management, Base Environmental Management or Environmental Education & Training and therefore have achieved and sustained the highest standard of professionalism and military integration of Environmental Services in the DOD qualify for entry into this competition.

The Aquator Award for Water Efficiency sponsored by Rand Water, and the Bonesa Award for Energy Efficiency sponsored by Eskom, serve to inspire and develop the conservation of water and energy in the department, which has until recently been a fairly uncharted concept in the conservation of natural resources within the DOD.

The Association sponsors the eighth and last category, viz Integrated Waste Management, for Clean Communities, previously the Keep Durban Beautiful Association, for the responsible management of all waste products in the DOD.

The entry for these eight categories is in the format of a mandatory Annual Environmental Management Report to be completed by all bases and units within the department.

These questionnaires are evaluated at regional and national level during March and April annually to produce national finalists in each of the eight categories.

The adjudication period for this year’s competitions is scheduled from 8 to 12 May 2006.The finalist bases and various panels of external and internal environmental experts evaluate units so that winners and runners-up in each of the categories may be appointed.

The Department Of Defence Environmental Awards Ceremony is scheduled for 8 June 2006.

The Minister of Defence, Deputy Minister of Defence, Secretary for Defence, or C SANDF will preside over this prestigious event to present the winners with trophies, certificates and awards.

For more information on the DOD Annual Environmental Awards Programme, contact either Col S.K.B. Godschalk at (012) 339-5162 or Cdr A. Liebenberg at (012) 339-5275.