Naval Base Ventura County's Natural Resources Conservation Team was awarded the annual Secretary of Defense (SECDEF) Environmental Award for Natural Resources Conservation for fiscal year 2016-2017.

The award recognizes one team for their exceptional environmental achievements and innovative, cost-effective environmental practices. "By safeguarding the long-term sustainability of our Nation's vital resources, [the Department of Defense] is improving the capabilities of our forces," stated Ellen Lord, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment.

Each year since 1962, SECDEF has honored installations, teams and individuals for outstanding conservation achievements, innovative environmental practices and partnerships that improve quality of life and promote efficiency.

A diverse panel of 63 judges with relevant expertise representing Federal and state agencies, academia and the private sector evaluated all nominees to select one winner for each of the nine categories that cover six subject areas: natural resources conservation, environmental quality, sustainability, environmental restoration, cultural resources management and environmental excellence in weapon system acquisition.

Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC), California, is comprised of three primary operating facilities: Port Hueneme, Point Mugu and San Nicolas Island (SNI). Point Mugu and Port Hueneme are both located along the Pacific coastline in southwestern Ventura County, while SNI is one of eight Channel Islands and lies 60 miles west of the coast. NBVC provides airfield, seaport and base support services to fleet operating forces and shore activities.

The Base employs more than 20,060 military and civilian personnel, over 80 tenant commands and departments to support diverse military missions. The Natural Resources Conservation Team (NRCT) oversees 21 Environmental Program Requirements with an average annual operating budget of approximately $1.7 million.

The team's selection stems from several aggressive and strategic efforts in wildlife protection and growth while working in conjunction with the local community.

"I'm proud of the hard work our environmental team does to sustain our resources," Capt. Chris Janke, Naval Base Ventura County commanding officer. "We are committed to ensuring a more efficient and ready Navy."

The NRCT partnered with The Nature Conservancy in a first ever memorandum of agreement to facilitate planning and to protect NBVC assets from sea level rise. This stabilized erosion near mission-critical infrastructure to improve water quality and the management of storm water runoff to meet regulatory standards that created habitat for endemic species in the area.

Utilizing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Coastal Partner's program, the NRCT was able to receive grant funding to build and deploy 15 nesting platforms in cooperation with the Girl Scouts of America.

The NRCT also serves as part of the Project Review Board that reviewed more than 1,000 projects requiring over 400 categorical exclusions and entered into a tripartite agreement with TNC and the National Park Service to jointly fund and hire a biologist solely focused on monitoring each of the Channel Islands for biosecurity impacts.

For more information about the Secretary of Defense Environmental Awards Program, including past winners, please visit http://www.denix.osd.mil/awards.

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