The City of Brantford, in partnership with the City’s Environmental and Sustainability Policy Advisory Committee (ESPAC), announced the launch of the 2024 Environmental Recognition Awards on Monday, February 26, 2024.
The awards recognize and celebrate adults, youths and businesses who have demonstrated environmental leadership.
“I am thrilled that the City of Brantford and the Environmental and Sustainability Policy Advisory Committee will be presenting the Environmental Recognition Awards once again. It’s important to recognize the individuals and businesses in our community that are making innovative and environmentally-conscious changes that support the City’s goal of becoming net-zero,” said Kevin Davis, Mayor for the City of Brantford.
Nominations are open until Friday, April 12, 2024. Residents can nominate themselves or anyone else who has demonstrated leadership in projects that resulted in measurable improvements in preservation, conservation, sustainability, education, advocacy, green infrastructure, or environmental clean ups and restoration.
“The Environmental Recognition Awards are a great way to celebrate and recognize the efforts being made to make our community more sustainable and environmentally friendly,” added Greg Martin, Ward 3 Councillor for the City of Brantford.
There are six award categories:
- Lifetime Achievement: an individual who has made a substantial contribution to green/environmental issues over many years, typically after many years of activity and measurable improvements in sustainability, education, advocacy, green infrastructure, or environmental clean ups and restoration. A minimum of 10 years of service is required for this award.
- Green Non-profit in Brantford: a government agency, institution or non-profit organization for its contribution to maintaining a healthy environment. This is typically where educational and healthcare projects may apply. Examples include community gardens, community clean ups, initiatives which preserve and/or restore local ecosystems and wildlife habitats, and activism to establish and sustain protected areas. This also includes examples of non-profits that are taking the lead in improving the environmental sustainability of their products/services, administrative policies, programs and/or operations.
- Green Business in Brantford: a business for its focus on the green/environmental health of Brantford. This award recognizes businesses for excellence in green practices, strategies and products that benefit the City of Brantford. Examples of businesses eligible for this award include those that are taking the lead in improving the environmental sustainability of their products/services, business practices, programs and/or operations.
- Greenest Family in Brantford: a family for outstanding achievement in reducing its environmental footprint. These measures are limited to the family practices but might include an improved streetscape, water reductions, energy efficiency, clean ups and restorations of natural habitats, natural gardening practices and/or street wide green awareness.
- Environmental Volunteer: those involved in environmental initiatives as a volunteer. This would apply to tree planting, river clean ups, awareness raising and advocacy through an organization, non-profit or institution. These are unpaid volunteer hours for green/environmental actions and projects.
- Young Environmental Champion Award: the leadership of young people in projects that create a cleaner, greener Brantford. Examples of projects eligible for this award include those which naturalize school grounds, reduce waste, recycle, conserve energy, protect wildlife, fundraise, and educate others. Students are typically nominated by a teacher, parent, peers or educator. Awards are available for Elementary Age (children ages 6 to 13) and Secondary Age (children ages 14 to 18).
“I encourage individuals, families, businesses, and students to apply for these awards as a way to showcase the environmental work being done in our community,” concluded Michael Sullivan, Ward 1 Councillor for the City of Brantford.
The award winners will be announced during the Tuesday, April 30, 2024 City Council meeting. Nomination forms can be completed online at Brantford.ca/EnvironmentalAwards.
