The first recipient of the Environmental Steward Award was Norfolk Botanical Garden.

Evaluation for the individual and/or company that is deemed the recipient of the award which began in January 2007. The VNLA looks forward to inducting the next recipient of this award. Be the very best you, or company, can be to have minimal negative impact on our environment.

Judging Criteria for the Environmental Award:

• To be eligible to receive this award, the recipient must be a current individual or company VNLA member in good standing.
• One award will be presented each year based upon adequately fulfilling, or exceeding the criteria, otherwise, the award will be skipped that year.
• Participants are encouraged to maintain due diligence in practicing and utilizing best management principles (BMP) resulting in the least negative impact on our environment.
• Each individual or company will promote and show that our horticultural industry has a more positive than negative impact on our environment by how we operate on a day-to-day basis.

　”Remember to be environmentally sensitive for our future generations.”

- Rich Johnson, 2006 VNLA President 

	2025 - Neal Beasley (R)
	2024 **change in award structure. 2014-2024 awards were provided for the last calendar year. For example, at the 2024 MANTS, the Environmental Stewardship was awarded for 2023. Beginning in 2025, awards were provided for the current calendar year**
	2023 - Trista Imrich (R)
	2022 - No Recipient
	2021 - No Recipient
	2020 - No Recipient
	2019 - John Magee (L)
	2018 - No Recipient
	2017 - No Recipient
	2016 - Brent Hunsinger (L)
	2015 - Eric Gunderson (L)
	2014 - Michele Fletcher
	2013 - No Recipient
	2012 - Tom Saunders (R)
	2011 - Eastern Shore Nursery of Virginia
	2010 - No Recipient
	2009 - Dr. Laurie Fox
	2008 - No Recipient
	2007 - Norfolk Botanical Garden