Minister of Environment, Chester Gillan, is encouraging Islanders to show their appreciation to those who protect and enhance our environment by submitting a nomination for the 2003 Prince Edward Island Environmental Awards.
"As Minister of Environment, I hear of positive things happening in businesses, schools and communities throughout the province. Unfortunately, sometimes we are so focussed on the challenges that these good works go unnoticed," said Minister Gillan.
"The Environmental Awards provide an opportunity to recognize citizens who are working to protect our fragile environment in Prince Edward Island and, at the same time, encourage others to follow their lead."
Environmental Awards are presented in five categories:
• Individual Citizen recognizes exemplary efforts by Island citizens to protect, preserve or enhance the environment;
• Business or Government Agency recognizes organizations that provide services, products or labour that have low environmental impact and act as a model for sustainable economic activity;
• Citizen Group or Organization recognizes grassroots groups that make a special commitment to PEI's environment;
• Education recognizes outstanding environmental efforts by groups or individuals in the areas of academia or public education; and
• Youth recognizes individuals under the age of 25 who have made an outstanding contribution to a healthy environment.
Last year's recipients in the five categories, respectively, were the Dingwell Family and Mo Dhaicdh Farms, the Prince Edward Island Energy Corporation, the PEI Wildlife Federation, Louis Daley, and the Summerside Boys and Girls Club.
The 2003 Prince Edward Island Environmental Awards will be presented during Environment Week in June. The deadline for nominations is May 1, 2003. Nominations will be assessed by a selection committee comprised of members of the Minister's Environmental Advisory Council.
Nomination forms are available at Access PEI centres, online at www.gov.pe.ca/go/award, or by calling the Department of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Environment at (902) 368-5000.