More than 500 business leaders and elected officials gathered with their guests.Saturday, March 19, 2022, at the Arizona Biltmore Resort in anticipation to hear who the recipients would be for this year’s prestigious Arizona ForwardSRP presented the Environmental Excellence Awards. A total of 81 projects were considered finalists.
The evening’s biggest winner was theCoconino County Forest Restoration Initiative.Jay SmithCoconino County Forest Recovery Director was present to accept the awards.the President’s AwardThe highest honor for all project submissions is,the Governor’s Award for Arizona’s Future. 2017Coconino CountyBoard of Supervisors identified catastrophic Wildfires and Post Wildfire Flooding as the greatest public safety risk to the environment and citizens.Coconino County. In response to the devastating effects of post-wildfire flooding and catastrophic wildfires, the Coconino County Flood Control District created a county-wide Forest Restoration Initiative. This initiative protects the forests and economic vitality in northern Arizona and ensures the safety of all residents. The initiative can serve as a model of forward-thinking, collaborative policy in state action.
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“After two years of postponing the event, it was extremely inspiring to see more than 500 guests join us as we celebrated projects submitted during 2020 and 2021. Sustainability and climate change did not get left behind by the pandemic. The projects that were honored in the awards program showed environmental excellence.best,”Lori SingletonPresident and CEO. “Additionally, three special awards were given in recognition of the long-standing history of Arizona Forward.”
On this page you will find a complete list of all the project nominations, as well as a summary for each.arizonaforward.org.Projects were reviewed by a panel of 13 judges led by Gene D’Adamo, President and CEO of the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust.
RecipientsCRESCORDIA AWARDThe following is a list of the remaining categories for the Environmental Excellence Awards.
COOL PAVEMENT PROGRAM,City of PhoenixStreet Transportation
Climate Action Solutions Winner
The key to the development and implementation of the program was the solution to urban heat island. This is a problem that affects quality-of-life in desert environments.City of Phoenix’sCool Pavement Pilot Program. In the summer 2020PhoenixA new asphalt seal coat technology was installed to provide relief from the urban heat islands effect. This technology was first used by theLos Angeles, CAThe Cool Pavement treatment reflects sunlight and lowers the pavement’s daytime temperature. The pilot produced 36 miles of Cool Pavement treatment in eight neighborhoods, one park, and one city. All these treatments have the potential to improve comfort as well as livability.Phoenix.
ARIZONA WASH BLUEPRINTASU Kyl Center for Water Policy
Environmental Education & Communication Winner
The Arizona Water Blueprint addresses Arizonans’ need for comprehensible, accurate, non-partisan and detailed information about Arizona water resources and policy, empowering inclusive and informed decision-making about the state’s water future. The Blueprint’s heart is an interactive map with 56 data layers. A user can easily explore Arizona’s water resources and infrastructure, download data specific to a particular geography, and visualize how different features and datasets are related. Blueprint provides unique opportunities for comparing data and geospatial info, and is being used in planning discussions both locally and statewide.
TRES RIOS WASTEWATER RECLAMATION FACILITY NUTRIENT RECOVERY PROJECT,Pima County– Regional Wastewater Reclamation
Technology Innovation Winner
The Innovative Water Conservation and Sustainability Partnership is focused on innovative, cost-effective technology to sustain agriculture and conserve water. N-Drip technology uses gravity-powered micro-irrigation with low pressure and real-time soil moisture management to provide irrigation for Colorado River Indian Tribes farms. N-Drip fields had 50% lower water deliveries and yields that traditional flood irrigated fields. This protects soil health and does not require additional infrastructure or pumping.
THE GRAND AT PAPAGO PARKPapago Park Center
Site Development Winner
The Roosevelt Dam Feature and Grand Canal Relocation and Multi-Use Path are both part of The Grand at Papago Park Center mixed-use developments. They were created to honor and celebrate two of Arizona’s most important infrastructure projects, the Roosevelt Dam and Grand Canal. These projects show a commitment to sustainability and encourage water-saving solutions. The Grand at Papago Park Center establishes a model that can be replicated by other communities for improvements along the Valley’s canal system.
FRAESFIELD & GRANITE MUNTAIN TRAILHEADS IN THESCOTTSDALEMCDOWELL SONORAN PRESERVEScottsdale City Council
Civic Winner: Buildings, Structures and Landscape Design
Natural Environment Preservation Winner
Granite Mountain Trailheads and the Fraesfield Trailheads are part ofScottsdale’sMcDowell Sonoran Preserve were trailhead sites that had been damaged and needed restoration. Two distinct designs, which are complementary but not identical, highlight the unique characteristics each site. Trailheads restored the natural habitat, while expanding and facilitating access into McDowell Sonoran Preserve. This allowed the natural environment to guide sustainable amenities that provide shelter and shade.
HELIOS EDUCATION FOUNDATION CAMPUS & VINCE ROIG CONVENING CENTER,Helios Education Foundation
Buildings, Structures and Landscape Design: Commercial Winner or Institutional Winner
The new campus is a creative and collaborative space that promotes, discusses, and debates reforms to and advancement of postsecondary education. The campus uses multiple non-potable water sources, including site-captured water for the landscape. It also has a radiant cooling system and super insulated envelope to reduce energy consumption. The Campus is a modern revision of the arid-responsive office garden, designed to last for generations.
GOOD TROUBLE BUCK,Joan BaronGloria Martinez-Granados
Art in Public Places Award Winner
Inside a 35,000 square foot raw warehouse space built in the 1950’s in downtownPhoenix, AZ, two artists embarked upon a major mixed media art installation-performance piece. The goal was to raise awareness about issues such as immigration reform and social justice.
LIBERTY WILDLIFE NON EAGLE FEATHER RESPOITORY,Liberty Wildlife
Healthy Communities Winner
Native American communities have had a special relationship with animals throughout history, especially birds and feathers. Feathers are part of the celebrations of birth, passage to manhood and womanhood, healing of the sick, and recognition of the end of the cycle of life. Liberty Wildlife is a conservation nonprofit and the only U.S.-approved organization. Fish and Wildlife Service is authorized to accept, keep, and distribute non-eagle birds to Native Americans for religious and ritual purposes. One feather sent out will mean that one less feather is purchased on the black marketplace and one less wild bird is taken.
The following project is being consideredFINALISTSReceived anAWARD OF DISTINCTION:
CONSERVE AND PROTECT GOLDEN ALICE,Mother Road Brewing Company Governor’s Award for Arizona’s Future
FLAGSTAFF’S CARBON NEUTRALITY PLAN,Flagstaff, Arizona Climate Action Solutions
AVONDALEDRIVE ELECTRIC PROJECTCity of Avondale Environmental Education & Communication
ROBO RIDECITY OFPEORIAAUTONOMOUS VEHICLE PROJECTCity of PeoriaTechnology Innovation
INNOVATIVE WATER CONSERVATION & SUSTAINABILITY PARTNERSHIPCentral Arizona ProjectTechnology Innovation
THE NEWTON DISTRICTVenue ProjectsSite Development
ASANTE BRANCH LISBRARYCity of SurpriseCivic: Buildings, Structures, Landscape Design
STUDENT PAVILION ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY,Arizona State UniversityBuildings, Structures and Landscape Design: Commercial, Institutional
ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY HARDEN BOOK REINVENTIONArizona State UniversityBuildings, Structures, Landscape Design: Commercial or Institutional
THE CHARLES T. HAYDEN HOUSE REHABILITATION (LA CASA VIEJA).TempeHistoric Preservation & Adaptive Recycling of Buildings, Structures and Landscape Design
USS ARIZONA MEMORIAL GARDENS AT SALT RIVERSalt River Pima-Maricopa Indian CommunityLandscape Design: Buildings, Structures, Landscape Design
PARK CENTRALPlaza CompaniesArt in Public Places
STUDENTS IN ARIZONA RECYCLE USED TECHNOLOGY.AZSTRUT Circular Economy Solutions
THE PATH TO PROTECTION at OAK CREEKArizona Department of Environmental Quality Natural Environment Preservation
U-HAUL HEALTHIER YOU PRIMARY PROGRAMSU-Haul International,Inc.Healthy Communities
Three additional awards were also given in addition to the project winners.Kinney Construction Services,Valley Metro,Cox Communications. These50ThAnniversary Awards, in honor of Arizona Forward’s 50ThAnniversary year, recognizes a long-standing commitment toward sustainability and is chosen unbeknownst of the recipients Each organization had representatives invited on stage to accept their award
Arizona Forward’s visionary members are APS,City of Phoenix, Environmental Defense Fund. Freeport McMoRan. Honeywell. Intel. SRP. Wells Fargo. These members are generous supporters of Arizona Forward’s year-round activities.
Arizona Forward’s top event sponsors for this year’s gala areScottsdale City CouncilCity of Mesa, Helios Education Foundation.City of PhoenixPublic Works.
