News release

For immediate release

Announcing the recipients of the 2021 Saanich Environment Awards 

Owners of the Plot Market Garden, Emily Harris (shown above) and Tyler Browne, are being honoured for their business leadership in environmentally sustainable food production.

 

Saanich, BC – Every year, Saanich recognizes individuals, businesses, organizations and youth for their significant contributions to stewarding the environment. This year the Environment Awards were announced virtually at the October 25, 2021, Council Meeting.

The awards are an initiative of the Environment and Natural Areas Advisory Committee (ENAC) in Saanich and are presented by the committee chair, Councillor Rebecca Mersereau. The ENAC is a dedicated group of volunteers whose duties include reviewing the nominations received from community members and carefully selecting the winners.

This year’s recipients are being recognized for park and forest restoration and stewardship, environmentally sustainable food production, invasive species removal and native planting, supporting allotment gardens, contributing to the health of our lakes and watersheds, and so much more.

The 2021 Saanich Environment Award recipients are as follows:

• Individual – Craig Elder
• Volunteer – Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary Volunteer Program
• Business – The Plot Market Garden
• Youth – Lambrick Park Secondary School
• Biodiversity Conservation – Ferndale Forest Pulling Together
• Sustainability – Capital City Allotment Garden Board of Directors
• Long Term Environmental Achievement – Rick Nordin

“On behalf of the Environment and Natural Areas Advisory Committee, I couldn’t be prouder to recognize the winners of Saanich’s Environment Awards,” said Saanich Councillor Rebecca Mersereau. The 2021 award winners have shown impressive initiative and effort, which I hope will inspire others to take more action to steward our shared resources.”

The award winners received virtual recognition and were quick to acknowledge and thank the many other volunteers working behind the scenes to help protect the local environment.

“I am honoured to receive this award, but it is the many volunteers who believe that stewardship of lakes and streams is important and use their time and skills to protect the environment who deserve more recognition. They have inspired me to do what I do!” said Rick Nordin, who took home the Long-Term Environmental Achievement award.

In addition to being honoured at the October 25 Council meeting, award recipients receive a framed certificate and recognition on a commemorative plaque at Municipal Hall.

Congratulations and thank you to all of our award recipients and their nominators.

Award eligibility:

Interested in nominating someone for the 2022 Environment Awards? You can nominate anyone as long as their environmental work impacts Saanich. The next nomination period will open in March 2022.

Full criteria and information on the nomination process can be found at saanich.ca/enviroawards.

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Media contact:
Rebecca Mersereau, Chair
Environment and Natural Areas Advisory Committee
250-532-0215