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Naval Weapons Station Yorktown Wins 2021 SECNAV Environmental Award for Natural Resources Conservation

210408-N-LL092-001 YORKTOWN, Va. (April 22, 2021) Felgates Creek, located on NWS Yorktown, is home to bald eagles and a variety of flora and fauna. (WYDaily/Courtesy of NWS Yorktown Public Affairs Office)

YORKTOWN — Naval Weapons Station Yorktown was recently awarded the 2021 Secretary of the Navy Environmental Award for Natural Resources Conservation.

Naval Weapons Station (NWS) Yorktown is committed to being a good steward of its inherited natural resources. Over the past two years, the NWS Yorktown natural resources program has made great strides in enhancing its commitment to natural resources management and innovative strategies to foster a balance between resources protection and operational requirements.

“My favorite aspects of being an installation Commanding Officer are the environmental programs which enrich our natural and cultural resources.” stated Captain Jason J. Schneider, Commanding Officer of NWS Yorktown. “However, my excitement pales in comparison to the passion and enthusiasm of our Environmental Team.  I believe this pushed us over the top and solidified our win.”

Highlights of NWS Yorktown’s Natural Resources Program during FY2019-2020 include: collaborating with the Virginia Institute of Marine Science and other external partners to restore and stabilize over 900 feet of shoreline and 3.45 aces of Navy land totaling 1.1 million in Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration funding, preparing a Wildfire Management Plan establishing 263 management blocks totaling 3,129 acres where prescribed fire may be used as a management tool and saving an estimated $80K in tree removal costs; and fish and wildlife management actions to include Supporting the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources annual monitoring programs and Virginia Wildlife Actions Plans using in-house and volunteer support.

NWS Yorktown and its areas of responsibility have over 13,000 acres within Virginia’s Chesapeake Bay watershed including 7,213 acres of forest, 2,602 acres of wetland and 37 miles of shoreline.

Our Natural Resources Program is integral to the health of the Chesapeake Bay watershed and our ability to successfully meet NWS Yorktown’s primary mission to provide responsive, quality support for explosive ordnance receipt and storage, maintenance, logistics, research and development, training and operations; warfare training for Sailors and Marines and other services.

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