Do you know — or know of — someone who has been a particularly good friend to Mother Earth?
If so, the nomination committee for the annual Langley Environmental Hero Awards would like to hear about them.
From Feb. 24 to April 21 nominations will be accepted in three categories: Youth (18 and younger); Individual; and Business (non-profit).
Anyone who puts forward a name for consideration will be asked to fill out a nomination form, briefly describing the nominee’s actions and explaining why they consider the person, group or business to be an environmental hero.
Winners will be announced on Saturday, June 10, during a tree planting ceremony outside the palisade at Fort Langley National Historic Site.
This spring will mark the 11th year the awards have been presented.
Once again, winners will each receive a $500 prize, to be donated to the environmental organization of their choice.
Started by Langley-Aldergrove MP Mark Warawa, the effort has grown to include a number of community partners.
“For 11 years, leaders in our community have come together to recognize the important work of those who give their time and energy to promote sustainability and environmental stewardship in Langley,” said Warawa.
“A clean environment is essential for a healthy community. We look forward to receiving nominations and hearing about the environmental heroes in our community.”
Joining Warawa in presenting the awards this year are: Member of Parliament for Cloverdale-Langley City, John Aldag; Langley Environmental Partners Society (LEPS); Township of Langley; City of Langley; Fort Langley National Historic Site; and TD (Willowbrook Branch). The Times is once again participating as media sponsor.
Joining the effort this year is the Langley School Board.
School Board chair Rob McFarlane attended the environmental award ceremony at Fort Langley last June. It was then that the Langley School District was invited to become involved as a partner as a way to encourage nominations in the Youth category.
“It’s so relevant right now, for youth to be involved,” said trustee Rosemary Wallace, the School Board’s representative on the committee.
“The sustainability piece (of the puzzle) is so important.”
For her part, Wallace would like to see an increased emphasis on horticulture in Langley schools as a way to foster an interest in the health of the environment.
“I would love to see every school have a gardening program.”
But environmental stewardship among Langley’s students isn’t limited to the garden patch, she said.
“A lot of great things are happening in schools, and it will be nice to see them recognized,” she said. “My role is to get the word out (to schools) and get as many nominations as possible.”
Nomination forms for the 11th annual Environmental Hero Awards can be picked up from Warawa’s constituency office, 4769 222 St., or downloaded from the MP’s website at markwarawa.com.
