Saanich residents have less than two weeks to submit nominations for the 2018 Saanich Environmental Awards.
Coun. Leif Wergeland, who chairs the Saanich Environment and Natural Areas Advisory Committee, said the awards give Saanich residents a chance to recognize deserving institutions and individuals, who help protect the natural environment.
“Protecting our natural environment is essential to maintaining the balance, well-being and livability of Saanich’s many diverse communities and neighbourhoods,” he said.
Residents can submit nominations in seven categories: individual citizen, volunteer organization, business, youth, biodiversity conservation, sustainability, and long-term environmental achievement. Deadline for submissions is Wednesday April 18, 4 p.m. Saanich plans to present the winners in June with a final date to be announced.
Past awards winners have helped remove invasive species, improve environmental education, propagate native plants, reduce waste, and improve conservation on private property. Businesses, meanwhile, have won awards for sustainable developments and energy efficiency programs.
To help solicit nominations, Saanich has encouraged community associations and other local organizations to help identify potential nominees.
“We are just trying to get more groups involved,” he said.
The late Saanich councillor Vic Derman led last year’s winners.
Derman, who died in March 2017, posthumously received the award for Long Term Achievement for his “leadership in environmental stewardship and advocacy for climate change action.”
