Pennsylvania Guard takes top honors in environmental awards

Photo By Tom Cherry | The Pennsylvania National Guard’s winning environmental team. Shown in front row are: Joseph Hovis, Tim Haydt, Erika McKinney and Dreama O'Neal. Team members in the back row are Ian Gardner, John Fronko, Nick Hoffman, Dave McNaughton, Jarrod Derr and Mark Swartz. Not shown in photograph are team members Virginia Tilden, Shannon Henry, Toren Shirk, Joan Anderson, and 1st Lt. James Goslin. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Tom Cherry/released)  

FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, PA, UNITED STATES

10.28.2015

Story by Maj. Angela King-Sweigart 

Joint Force Headquarters - Pennsylvania National Guard

FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa.– The Pennsylvania National Guard’s environmental office here took top honors in the 2015 Army National Guard Environmental Security Award contest. The office teams placed first in the environmental restoration team category and second in the natural resources conservation team category.

Pennsylvania outperformed 53 other states and territories to win the restoration award. The team won for their efforts in capping and remediating an old landfill and for remediating old munitions. For the conservation award the team was recognized for their continued habitat support and research of the regal fritillary butterfly.

John Fronko, director of the environmental team, is happy with the wins. “We have a great team of professionals that support the environment and our military mission. These awards recognized that we can enhance both, and it is very fulfilling to see their hard work rewarded.”

Both winning teams will go on to represent the Army National Guard in the 2015 Secretary of the Army Environmental awards and, if they place there go on to compete in the Secretary of Defense environmental competition.

Dreama O’Neal, compliance manager and team leader for the environmental restoration team win said, “The old landfill will have a secure cap to protect the environment and the resulting grass field will be used for light activity, opening more space at Fort Indiantown Gap.”

The Pennsylvania National Guard, Bureau of Environmental Management is committed to environmental excellence in supporting the missions of the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs as well as the Pennsylvania National Guard. The bureau manages a large variety of programs ranging from endangered species to cultural resources to hazardous waste.

• Date Taken: 10.28.2015
• Date Posted: 10.28.2015 13:32
• Story ID: 180168
• Location: FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, PA, US