Michael Baker International Partners with Marines to Establish Environmental Stewardship Habits in Younger Generations

PITTSBURGH, May 18, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Michael Baker International, a global leader in engineering, planning and consulting services, today announced completion of activities to promote environmental awareness and increase participation and engagement in the solid waste and recycling programs at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, in Jacksonville, North Carolina. Michael Baker's work successfully increased understanding of environmental standards and established strong stewardship habits in the installation's community of children who passed on their knowledge to their parents and friends, elevating the environmental consciousness of the entire population. The project also was recognized with a 2017 Honor Award at the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) of Metropolitan Washington Engineering Excellence Awards.

The U.S. Marine Corps Installation East—Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune (MCI EAST - MCB CAMLEJ), is the largest U. S. Marine Corps installation on the east coast. Michael Baker was contracted by the installation's Environmental Management Division (EMD) to promote environmental awareness for the installation's 137,526 military and civilian staff, their families and visitors. To meet this goal, the firm developed a comprehensive Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan (SSPP), which enlisted Commanding Officer support essential to effecting base-wide behavioral change. The SSPP also provided a framework for a robust sustainability program, outlined metrics to measure progress towards goals and supplied recommendations on outreach initiatives to educate staff, their families and visitors on compliance, pollution prevention and sustainability.

"The Michael Baker team did an outstanding job keeping the task order on time and within budget despite a variety of challenges during execution," said Alicia Filzen, Camp Lejeune's Qualified Recycling Program (QRP) Manager. "Additionally, the Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan provides MCB Camp Lejeune with a platform for enhancing mission readiness while moving towards sustainable programs and infrastructure."

Michael Baker worked closely with the EMD and developed outreach materials for the installation's robust solid waste and recycling programs. Flyers, brochures and training manuals increased participation and provided education on all aspects of the program, from what could be recycled to where items needed to be delivered. For the installation's recurring recycling education programs—which were critically important for the installation's transient personnel and their families—Michael Baker created teaching materials and user manuals. 

"It's incredibly rewarding to see how our efforts have helped to boost the installation's sustainability initiatives," said Elizabeth Krousel, Michael Baker's NAVFAC Sustainability Program Manager. "These environmental programs and improved outreach have helped Camp Lejeune uphold its commitment to protecting and conserving natural and cultural resources critical to the training missions."

Training and reference materials also helped to foster an environmentally conscious installation. Michael Baker developed an environmental-standards guidebook for Marines and other installation residents titled, Overview of Camp Lejeune Environmental Programs, as a go-to reference that detailed the camp's environmental goals and the programs in place to achieve them. Michael Baker also developed a guide which included best practices that contractors and tradespeople working at the installation need to follow to comply with Camp Lejeune's environmental stewardship mission.

Michael Baker was key to supporting important community sustainability-focused events to further the impact of the program. For the past five years as part of the annual Earth Day Expo, more than 1,000 students from pre-school to high school visited 19 environmental stations and participated in interactive, hands-on activities. Michael Baker connected with subject matter experts to serve as presenters, worked with school officials on the logistics of transporting students to the Expo, developed learning materials and activities and provided "day of" support to ensure the Expo ran smoothly.

Michael Baker also coordinated with area art teachers to hold an art contest leading up to Earth Day. The winning-student design was added to the back of t-shirts distributed to Earth Day volunteers.

About Michael Baker International
Michael Baker International is a leading global provider of engineering and consulting services, which include planning, architectural, environmental, construction, program management, and full life-cycle support services as well as information technology and communications services and solutions. The company provides its comprehensive range of services and solutions in support of U.S. federal, state, and municipal governments, foreign allied governments, and a wide range of commercial clients.  Michael Baker International has more than 6,000 employees in more than 90 locations across the U.S. and internationally. To learn more, visit www.mbakerintl.com.

SOURCE Michael Baker International

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