Murphy administration honors environmental leaders, innovators at 26th annual Governor’s Environmental Excellence Awards
TRENTON, N.J. — The Murphy administration on Tuesday recognized individuals, organizations and communities across New Jersey for outstanding environmental achievements at the 26th annual Governor’s Environmental Excellence Awards, the state’s highest honor for environmental leadership.
The awards were presented during a ceremony at the Historic Masonic Temple in Trenton.
“On behalf of the Governor, DEP and the I-Bank are proud to honor all of this year’s awardees for their spirited dedication to protecting the environment we all share and the health of our communities,” Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette said. “Their passion and dedication serve as an inspiration to us all and exemplifies why New Jersey is a national leader in environmental protection.”
The annual awards celebrate efforts advancing environmental justice, climate resilience, sustainability, education, watershed management, habitat restoration and more. Deputy Commissioner Kati Angarone and Infrastructure Bank Executive Director David Zimmer joined LaTourette in presenting this year’s honors.
Richard J. Sullivan Award
The ceremony’s top distinction, named for New Jersey’s first DEP commissioner, was awarded to Joseph Seebode, Deputy District Engineer for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ New York District. Seebode has spent more than 35 years advancing coastal resilience, environmental restoration and sustainable water management.
His leadership helped guide recovery efforts after Hurricane Sandy and shaped major waterway projects, including deepening the Port of New York and New Jersey.
2025 Governor’s Environmental Excellence Award Winners
James J. Florio Emerging Environmental Leader: Landon Hoberman
Founder of the Student Environmental Ambassador Program, Hoberman has empowered youth to reduce plastic waste and promote civic engagement. Since 2023, the initiative has recruited more than 725 ambassadors across 14 states and three countries, prevented 1.8 million single-use utensils from entering the environment and saved restaurants more than $45,000.
Climate Change Mitigation: Duke Farms
The 2,700-acre center is reducing emissions and expanding natural climate solutions through its Natural Systems Energy Project, with goals including 80% emission reductions by 2030 and installation of new solar energy systems.
Climate Resilience: City of Newark Office of Sustainability, Resilience & Community Transformation
The office expanded its “Beat the Heat” campaign with tree plantings, pocket parks and cool-roof projects to address climate impacts in vulnerable neighborhoods.
Environmental Justice: Montclair State University PSEG Institute for Sustainability Studies
Through its Green Teams Internship Program, students partnered with municipalities and nonprofits to improve air and water quality, enhance food security, expand tree canopies and advance nature-based flood and heat resilience.
Healthy Communities: Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions (ANJEC)
ANJEC supported restoration of the Parvin-Tarkiln Watershed in Vineland, installing rain gardens, tree pits and riparian buffers to improve stormwater management and water quality.
Healthy Ecosystems and Habitats: Hunters Helping the Hungry
The nonprofit connects hunters, processors and food banks to deliver venison to families in need, while supporting responsible deer management and biodiversity restoration.
Sustainability and Waste Reduction: Table to Table
New Jersey’s first and largest food rescue organization recovered 23 million pounds of fresh food last year and has prevented more than 240 million pounds of food waste since its founding.
Watershed Management and Water Resources: PolyGone Systems (with Atlantic County Utilities Authority)
The Princeton spinoff launched the world’s first municipal-scale microplastic removal pilot in 2024, successfully capturing millions of particles from wastewater.
Environmental Education: Erin Colfax, Unity Charter School
Colfax leads hands-on K–8 science instruction in Morristown, engaging students in water quality monitoring, biodiversity studies and transforming school grounds into a living outdoor classroom.
