The City of Grand Rapids Environmental Services Department continues to set pace

On April 14, the department earned a prestigious PACE Award from the Central Michigan Public Relations Society of America (CMPRSA) chapter.  Environmental Services captured the Award of Excellence for its Stormwater Management and Awareness Campaign. The department received the community relations award at the PRSA's April 14 awards banquet in Lansing.

“We are proud to accept this honor from public relations and marketing industry professionals,” said Environmental Services Department (ESD) Manager Mike Lunn.

“This award reflects our commitment to promoting awareness of the City’s efforts to better manage stormwater runoff and eliminate water pollution in Grand Rapids. Our efforts will ensure the well-being of our citizens and preserve the Grand River watershed for future generations,” Lunn said.

The campaign to promote the importance of stormwater management, also encourages civic engagement in stormwater diversion activities. The campaign set an all-time high in overall engagement, reaching more than 115,000 Grand Rapids citizens, state legislators, local elected officials, neighborhood and business associations, advocates, teachers, students, and parents. The department earned the award by reaching the community in record setting ways -- successfully integrating traditional public relations, digital marketing, and paid advertising tactics, such as the use of billboards placed throughout the city and service region.

Key to the City’s strategy included promoting the ESD’s volunteer “Basin Buddy” campaign. This program encouraged keeping sewer grates on city streets free of debris and leaves that left untouched, could potentially cause flooding and stormwater runoff into the Grand River. As a result of the campaign, volunteers “adopted” 43 of the ESD’s undesignated catch basins in 2015, setting a new City record for participation in the “Basin Buddies” program.

The PACE Awards are mid-Michigan’s highest honor of public relations activities awarded annually to practitioners who exemplify professional skill, creativity, and resourcefulness.

The Environmental Services Department enhances the quality of life for the Citizens of the Greater Grand Rapids area by providing significant leadership and exemplary services dedicated to protecting the environment and public health and welfare.

The CMPRSA is a chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). The PRSA is the world's largest organization for public relations professionals, with more than 28,000 members.