The Fort Hood Range Revegetation Pilot Project, a joint project of the Texas Water Resources Institute and the Blackland Research and Extension Center, won the 2006 Texas Environmental Excellence Award for Agriculture. The award, sponsored by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and Gov. Rick Perry, was presented to the project staff at the agency’s banquet in May.
The Texas Legislature created the awards in 1993 and TCEQ presents them to outstanding, innovative environmental programs in 10 diverse categories across the public and private sectors. The Governor’s Blue Ribbon Committee, a group of leaders in public and private industry with expertise in environmental policy and practices, judge the applications.
Texas Agricultural Experiment Station Director and Vice Chancellor for Agriculture and Life Sciences Elsa Murano said, “I am so proud of the efforts of the Texas Water Resources Institute with in the Texas A&M Agriculture family for leading the way and being en example to all of us and our great state.
“I am proud of the creativity and drive it takes to develop and carry out a program such as this, which ultimately helps us preserve our precious natural resources for the future.”
The Fort Hood project, federally funded through the U. S. Department of Agriculture-Natural Resources Conservation Service, was initiated in 2003 to assist Fort Hood in dealing with soil erosion and land degradation on the fort’s training areas.
“As Texans, we understand and appreciate the importance of our state’s natural resources,” said Kathleen Hartnett White, TCEQ chairman. “These awards recognize the initiative and innovation of Texans who go above and beyond the call of duty to protect and enhance those resources.”
U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards, who has supported the program with $2 million in federal funds since 2003, said of the award: “It is a privilege to be part of a program that is a model of collaboration and cooperation that is making a difference for our soldiers and our environment.”
U.S. Rep. John Carter gave his congratulations for the award. “I applaud all of the partners in this project and am proud to support practices that will benefit not only Fort Hood’s training capabilities, but also the environment,” he said.
