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Chance to showcase grassroots environmentalism

21 May 2013

Know a person or community group doing outstanding work to protect and enhance the Taranaki environment? Now’s an ideal time to put them in the spotlight – but you need to act quickly.

Nominations for the newly upgraded Taranaki Regional Council Environmental awards close at noon on 4 June and the Council is particularly keen to highlight individual and community efforts.

The Council Chairman, David MacLeod, says there’s been much interest in the awards since the announcement that they would be revamped as they go into their third decade. Changes include more categories, a clearer focus on why the awards are made, and a high-profile presentation ceremony.

“We’re pleased with the response,” he says. “And we’re hoping for more nominations in the community category. There’s lots of good work happening at grassroots level and too often, it goes unacknowledged.”

The awards’ community category recognises not-for-profit organisations or individuals that are taking action to protect or enhance the environment, or are increasing understanding of environmental issues.

Other award categories are business (public and private sector), sustainable dairy farming, sustainable land management, and education.

Nominations can be made online at www.trc.govt.nz/environmental-awards/. Nomination forms can also be obtained by calling the Council on 0800 736 222.

Mr MacLeod says the awards will be presented at an early-evening catered function in New Plymouth, a break from previous years when they were presented at a meeting of the Council at its Stratford chambers.

“We’ve brought corporate sponsors on board, which gives us the resources to stage a more fitting and accessible presentation ceremony,” he says.

The awards were inaugurated in 1993, with 189 presented over the following two decades.

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