NAS Jax earns environmental award

The Keep Jacksonville Beautiful Commission presented its Environmental Achievement Organization Award to NAS Jax Commanding Officer Capt. Jack Scorby Jr. for leading a comprehensive clean-up campaign.

"The NAS Jacksonville environmental strategy is one hundred percent aligned with the Navy's strategy and theme of 'Sustaining Our Environment - Protecting Our Freedom,'" stated Scorby.

"Nearly every operational facet aboard the station is involved in conserving our natural and environmental resources. I'm very proud to accept this award on behalf of our Sailors, Marines, and civilian employees."

"NAS Jax participates in various recycling and environmental protection programs year-round. Additionally, our Sailors and civilian employees conduct base cleanups, tree-planting initiatives and education programs for school-age children," he added.

NAS Jax Commanding Officer Jack Scorby Jr., chats with Dr. Robert Ragland, former chairman of the Sierra Club of Northeast Florida. Photo by Clark Pierce.

"A steady stream of base construction projects valued at over $280 million will improve the quality of life for our service members and their families. But it also requires careful attention to the environment. It is our policy to integrate environmental protection, natural resources and cultural resources considerations into all NAS Jax operations and activities," concluded Scorby.

According to the Keep Jacksonville Beautiful Commission commendation, the station personnel participate in daily litter control of properties. The base commander, Capt. John Scorby Jr., and his department heads lead an annual station shoreline clean-up and a very active natural resources program, including an Interpretive Center and two nature trails.

Jacksonville Mayor John Peyton and NAS Jax Commanding Officer Capt. Jack Scorby Jr. talked about keeping Jacksonville beautiful. Photo by Clark Pierce.

In March of this year, the station hosted more than 110 volunteers and disposed of 240 bags of trash weighing more than three tons. The cleanup included areas of Tillie Fowler Regional Park, across from the base entrance. Volunteers pulled trash and garbage from streams and cleared sludge and muck from the park's historic brick road and drainage creek. The event highlighted the Navy's commitment to keeping its station, and the St. Johns and Ortega Rivers clean.

After the luncheon, Scorby talked with Dr. Robert Ragland, recipient of the Champion of the Environment Award. A long-time Jacksonville resident and crusader for responsible living, Ragland helped form the Sierra Club of Northeast Florida in 1970. He told Scorby of times in his youth when his family would visit Camp Johnston (the precursor to NAS Jax) to catch crabs in Mulberry Cove.

Scorby said that thanks to Navy and community efforts to preserve the St. Johns River, blue crabs are still thriving just off the NAS Jax shoreline.