Islanders will have the chance to honour the environmental leaders of their community with a nomination for the 2008 Prince Edward Island Environmental Awards, Minister of Environment, Energy and Forestry George Webster announced. The awards, to be presented during Environment Week in June, recognize those who work to protect and enhance the Prince Edward Island environment.
“This awards program has been very successful in recognizing people and groups who do so much for our Island environment. Now this year we’re adding to the awards with a new category – the St. Teresa’s Environmental School Challenge – to honour those schools and classes who make environmental stewardship part of the learning experience for young Islanders,” Minister Webster said.
“I invite every Islander to nominate someone they know who is making a difference in the awareness of and protection of Prince Edward Island’s precious environment.”
The deadline for nominations for the 2008 Environmental Awards is May 1. Nominations will be assessed by members of the PEI Environmental Advisory Council. To be eligible for an award, nominees must have been instrumental in:
• identifying, reducing, solving or avoiding an environmental problem;
• demonstrating consistently responsible environmental management practices; and/or
• promoting public awareness, understanding and active concern for the enhancement and protection of the environment.
The review committee will also consider the nominee’s long-term service and commitment, voluntary contributions and innovative approach.
Last year's award recipients included:
• Patrick Ross’ Grade 5/6 class at St. Teresa’s Consolidated School, for spearheading a project to save electricity, heat, water and paper in the school.
• Dave Biggar, in recognition and in memory of his outstanding contribution to our Island environment.
• Waldron Leard, for sharing his passion and respect for our environment with countless others through his website – Eastern Kings, PEI, Meeting Place.
• Gary Fournier, for his commitment to protecting and enhancing the Winter River watershed through his work with the Winter River Environmental Committee.
• Students and staff of Southern Kings Consolidated School, for their hard work and dedication in the development of the Southern Kings Nature Trail.
Nomination forms for the PEI Environmental Awards are available online at www.gov.pe.ca/go/award, or by calling the Department of Environment, Energy and Forestry at (902) 368-6920.