On behalf of Brig. Gen. Glenn K. Rieth, The Adjutant General, Col. (ret.) Michael Smith, New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (NJDMAVA) Joint Chief of Staff presented Col. William Bertsch, Director, and the members of the NJDMAVA Office of Environmental Compliance, the National Guard Bureau – Army National Guard Natural Resources Conservation Small Installation Award during a ceremony at the Lawrenceville National Guard Armory.

The New Jersey Army National Guard received the Award at the annual National Environmental Workshop held in Orlando, Fla. This award is one of ten National Guard Bureau environmental award categories.  The New Jersey Army National Guard received the award for the successful nesting of Least Terns on the beach of the Sea Girt National Guard Training Center in Sea Girt.  Least Terns are listed as a State endangered species in the New Jersey Natural Heritage Program.  Each year, Army National Guard Environmental Offices nationwide submit projects to compete for receiving the awards.

The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs which is the state headquarters for both the New Jersey Army and Air National Guard and responsible for the administration of state veterans programs, has more than 1,500 employees at 60 locations throughout the state.