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Environmental Achievement Awards
Nominations for 2024
The City’s Environmental Achievement Awards recognize individuals, organizations and educators who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to promoting, conserving and enhancing Coquitlam’s natural environment.
Nominations for 2024 are now closed. Thank you to all who participated, and the winners will be announced in early June.
Criteria
Nominations can be made for work that supports any of the following:
- Environmental conservation/protection, such as invasive species removal, watershed/stream protection, species protection, habitat improvements and environmental rehab
- Environmental education/public awareness, such as delivering educational programs, public outreach, public or school based green clubs
- Environmental sustainability, such as waste reduction and recycling, climate action, water conservation, food security/gardening and sustainable transportation
- Environmental responsibility, such as Street, park or stream clean up and storm drain marking
Evaluation of the nominations will consider the scope of the project or commitment, initiative and leadership, how far the actions reach, and ongoing commitment and impact into the future.
A sample of volunteer actions and projects from previous years includes: shoreline cleanups, litter cleanups, salmon habitat restoration, storm drain marking, nest box maintenance, guided public hikes, pollinator gardens, educational events, invasive plant removal and stewardship activities. Eligible volunteers and organizations can also nominate themselves.
History
Since 2004, the Environmental Achievement Awards have recognized the contributions of more than 75 groups and hundreds of volunteers who have taken on initiatives year-round that support environmental sustainability. Some of the volunteer actions and projects recognized in previous years include: shoreline and litter cleanups, salmon habitat restoration, storm drain marking, nest box maintenance, guided public hikes, pollinator gardens, educational events, invasive plant removal and stewardship activities.
- Environmental Conservation/Protection
- Examples: Invasive species removal, watershed/stream protection, species protection, habitat improvements, environmental rehab
- Environmental Education and Public Awareness
- Examples: Delivering educational programs, public outreach, public or school based green clubs
- Sustainability
- Examples: waste reduction and recycling, climate action, water conservation, food security/gardening, sustainable transportation, etc.
- Environmental Responsibility
- Examples: Street, park or stream clean up, storm drain marking.
- Individual Green Sprout – ages 3-12
- Individual – ages 13-18
- Individual – 19 and over
- Teacher or Educator
- Youth Group – School or Club
- Adult Group – Organization, Service Club, etc.
- Lifetime Achievement - 20 years or more of volunteer experience
- Nominees do not need to be residents of Coquitlam, but the activities for which they are being nominated should occur in Coquitlam or should be of benefit to our community.
- Public recognition by City Council
- Invitation to attend the annual Environmental Volunteer Celebration
- Certificate of achievement
- Prizes
2022 Environmental Achievement Award Winners
Jemma’s curiosity and exploration of the environment has inspired others with her efforts in sustainability by: protecting native species; planting a home garden; involvement in the Tree Restoration Project and Trail project at R.C. MacDonald School; and in sharing her passion with peers.
Adam’s creativity and dedication in developing the educational mobile game, Find the Birds, has engaged and inspired others. The platform has reached thousands of people across British Columbia and beyond, raising awareness on conservation and the environment. Adam’s game has been very influential and demonstrates his strong leadership skills within the community.
Shelley is recognized for her extensive hours of volunteer services within the community to help protect and preserve the environment. A distinguished member of the community, she often goes above and beyond in work with the Maple Creek Watershed Streamkeepers Society. Her enthusiasm, cheerfulness and a willingness to jump in and get hands dirty is an inspiration to others.
Hariette is recognized for educating and engaging students and encouraging positive change through Real Acts of Caring. Inspiring children and youth to promote kindness to others and the environment without the expectation of anything in return is honourable. Her passion and dedication has encouraged students across British Columbia to get involved in this movement.
The Vanier Conservation and Habitat Project educates and engages students and encourages environmental stewardship within the community. This project allows students to get involved by bringing a hands-on approach to learning by working collectively and as individuals, to cultivate a habitat space that will continue to inspire and engage present and future generations. It is a space that sparks creativity, imagination and curiosity.
The Immigrant Link Centre Society is honoured for their extensive hours of volunteering, providing assistance to those in need and diverting as much food waste as possible. “From Pollution to Solution” project has helped ensure that thousands of people do not go hungry while promoting environmental stewardship, by diverting food from our landfills, saving resources, energy, time and money. Their charity has become invaluable to so many people in the community.
Marion Hamm inspires and and promotes creativity and curiosity in the classroom. By raising salmon for over 20 years, she has educated and engaged students to learn about various salmon species, their habitat and how we interact with their ecosystems. This has cultivated a passion and enthusiasm within the community to protect and respect local streams.
2022 Environmental Achievement Award Nominees
- Adopt-A-Trail Trio - Long-term participation in the Adopt-A -Trial program ensuring the protection, preservation and enhancement of Mariner Park for local visitors and wildlife.
- Todd Briggs - Participation in Adopt-a-Trail helps ensure Mundy Park is safe and clean, and inspires others to do the same.
- Coquitlam Broombuster - Removing Invasive Scotch Broom, engaging the public, helping restore natural habitats and bringing awareness to the impacts of invasive species.
- Melanie Debeau - Participation in Adopt-A-Trail at Blue Mountain Park ensures safe use and cleanliness by visitors and protects local wildlife.
- The Early Birds - Volunteering to maintain safety and cleanliness of DeBoville Slough.
- Shelley Frick - Passion for the environment shared through continuous work in various outdoor educational programs, inspiring the next generation to become environmental stewards.
- Hoy/Scott Watershed Society - Protecting our major stream systems and maintaining the health of salmon and their ecosystem, as well as promoting the education and enjoyment of our local visitors.
- Jenny Hui - Gentle approach with insects, friendly attitude and sharing of knowledge with the Park Spark program.
- Brenda Ilic - Participation in Park Spark and Adopt-A-Trail helps keep our Town Center Park and Lafarge Lake safe and clean, and inspiring others to do the same.
- Kelsey Keller - Sharing passion for the environment with classroom, inspiring colleagues and sparking participation, curiosity and imagination in the next generation of environmental stewards.
- Rayan Khan - Passion for sustainability shines through in volunteering with Inspiration and Poirier Gardens.
- Luka Kovacic - Passion for Stoney Creek and educating others have raised awareness and will inspire other youth to care for their environment.
- George Kovacic - Participation in the Stoney Creek Environment Committee has raised awareness of the creek and the importance of improving fish habitat.
- Thomas Greg Lamarre - Participation in Park Spark programs such as Inspiration Garden and maintaining our trails at Mackin Park.
- Celena and Adrianna Mazzarolo - Taking care of Mountain View Park, raising awareness, inspiring others and protecting the environment.
- Project Salamander - Educating and engaging students, sparking their participation, creativity and imagination, while conserving the environment.
- John Saremba – As the Bat Program Coordinator with Burke Mountain Naturalists has had a significant impact on organizations within Coquitlam and advocacy for the environment, inspiring others.
- Steve Smith - Participation in the Minnekhada Park Association—to protect, preserve and enhance its natural environment—has positively impacted the community by creating awareness, advocating for respect in the park and supporting local bat populations.
- Stoney Creek Environment Committee - Continuous participation in protecting, preserving and enhancing Stoney Creek so local visitors and wildlife are able to enjoy it for years to come.