Nominations are being accepted for DeKalb’s annual award recognizing outstanding  leadership and commitment to environmental sustainability. 

The DeKalb STARR (Sustainability Through Action, Resiliency and Responsibility) Award returns for its second year following an expansion of the previous environmental award  by the City’s Citizens’ Environmental Commission (CEC). The revised award recognizes  that sustainability is happening in many ways in the DeKalb community. 

The award is presented in up to five categories: Individual Sustainability Champion, Green Business of the Year, Sustainable Community Project, Corporate/Institutional  Environmental Leadership and Youth Sustainability Leader, which will be awarded to a  nominee younger than 18. 

To select the award winners, community members are encouraged to nominate individuals, businesses and organizations for their impact in one or more of five focus  areas aligning with the City’s Sustainability Plan. These areas are ecological impact,  community engagement and education, environmental leadership and advocacy,  innovation and green technology, and economic contribution to the green economy. 

“Whether it’s a neighbor planting a pollinator garden or a business encouraging  employees to bike to work, every member of our community can make an impact on  environmental sustainability in DeKalb, and the STARR Award celebrates that,” said CEC  Chair Julie Jesmer. “Our Commission encourages everyone to take a moment to  nominate one of these community members so their hard work is recognized.”

The nominations can be made through a simple four-question, online form on the City’s  website at cityofdekalb.com/1544/DeKalb-STARR. Anyone can submit a nomination, and  nominees should be making a positive impact on sustainability in the DeKalb community. 

Nominations are due by March 3. The winners will be selected by the CEC and recognized  this April.