DAPHNE — Nominees are being accepted for the Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce’s 2006-07 Environmental Award, said President Darrelyn Bender.

Thanks to this award, some deserving entity will be recognized for its outstanding effort to make a difference, she said.

“We see this as a way to show that businesses do care about the environment and also to give a platform to some of the wonderful environmental organizations in our area,” Bender said.

“We also see it as building bridges of communication.”

Bender said her organization is unique because it has an in-house environmental committee that sponsors this type of award.

“As far as I know, very few chambers in the nation do this,” she said.

Walter Ernest, director of the Weeks Bay Reserve Foundation, chairs the chamber’s environment committee, Bender said.

Communications director Kathie Barton said the award encourages businesses to be good environmental stewards.

“Everyone needs to support having a good clean environment, even in business. And that can happen in many ways, from having good business practices to practicing conservation and recycling,” Barton said.

“In fact, we believe that taking care of the environment should be a part of doing business.”

To be considered, nominees must be a chamber member, Barton said.

Barton said nominees must also demonstrate one or more of the following:

• Promote conservation and stewardship of natural resources.

• Demonstrate innovative environmental practices.

• Promote or demonstrate environmental education opportunities.

• Demonstrate the integration of best management practices within their daily activities and/or philosophy.

• Promote land-use planning and smart growth in activities with clients, general public and municipalities.

The winner will be announced at the Chairman’s Gala on June 22, Barton said.

In addition to a plaque, the winner will have a tree planted in their honor and be featured in the chamber publication, “Chamber Connections,” she said.

Nomination forms can be obtained by calling Barton at 928-6387. They are due April 30.

Self-nominations are accepted, Barton said.

Winners have included: First United Methodist Church (Fairhope), Fish River Trees (Summerdale), Hand Arendall LLC (Daphne, Foley) and BES Inc. (Fairhope).

Last year’s winner was the Alabama Coastal Foundation in Fairhope, she said.

Winning this award was a “happy surprise” for the non-profit Alabama Coastal Foundation, said executive director Angela Montgomery.

“We’re not even sure who nominated us, but it was quite an honor,” she said.

“It was also good exposure for us because too many people still don’t know who we are or what we’re trying to do.”

Created in 1993, ACF’s mission is to “improve and protect the quality of Alabama’s coastal resources by identifying and solving problems through education, cooperation and participation.”