May 23, 2006

Department of Environmental Quality Director Steven E. Chester today met with officials from the Fort Custer Training Center in Augusta, and presented them with the Neighborhood Environmental Partners (NEP) Gold Award.

The NEP Gold Award Program was developed by the DEQ to recognize facilities and their community partners who have worked together to improve the environment locally by implementing ongoing environmental projects.

"It is a pleasure to honor Fort Custer Training Center with the Neighborhood Environmental Partners Gold Award today,” said Director Chester. “Fort Custer has clearly demonstrated its commitment to the environment and to bettering the community by opening its doors to its neighbors and embracing wildlife and forest habitat improvements at its facilities.”

Fort Custer Training Center and its community partners are being awarded a NEP Gold Award for their work on numerous wildlife and forest habitat improvements made at the facility. The facility closely monitors several bird and plant species of concern at its site, implemented an invasive species control program, and conducted several forest management studies.

“The Michigan Army National Guard has always taken pride in its citizen/soldier status. The stewardship we provide for the natural resources at Fort Custer show our dedication to being good neighbors,” said Greg Huntington, Environmental Manager for the Michigan National Guard. “We are very proud of the fact that we have been able to ensure our soldiers are trained to the best of their ability, while conforming with environmental laws and regulations. However, this could not be accomplished without the support and dedication of the many community partners who have been willing to work with us. We are honored to be chosen for this award.”

Fort Custer Training Center has also been an active member of the DEQ’s Department of Defense/State of Michigan Environmental Alliance.

Editor’s note: DEQ news releases are available on the department’s Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq.

“Protecting Michigan’s Environment, Ensuring Michigan’s Future”

Revised May 23, 2006 by Pat Watson