24 July 2012

Finalists named for Sustainable Environment Awards

A ‘green’ fashionista, a school with a Dr Seuss-inspired garden and an Auckland ‘weedbuster’ tracking pest plants on Google Earth are contenders for prestigious sustainability awards.

The 2012 Auckland Council Sustainable Environment Awards, to be held at the Auckland Town Hall on 30 July, will acknowledge finalists across four categories – individual, community, school and youth - for their exemplary work on sustainable initiatives.

Environment and Sustainability Forum chair Wayne Walker, who will speak at the awards along with Mayor Len Brown, says the awards recognise and celebrate the great work being done by the region’s environmental champions.

“The purpose of these awards is to acknowledge the fantastic and diverse projects happening in all corners of the Auckland region,” he says.

“Through the Auckland Plan, we have a vision to make Auckland the world’s most liveable city, and these are the people leading the way to that vision. They, and the projects they lead, are truly worth celebrating.”

Councillor Walker, who was also a judge in the schools category, says a thorough review of entries led to a decision by judges in all categories to recognise all 35 entries this year.

“Friends, associates and colleagues did a fine job of identifying high-quality sustainable projects for us to consider. The standard of projects was impressive, at or above the benchmark we expect of a finalist, so the fairest approach was to acknowledge them all,” he says.

While all entries are finalists, the nominees will find out at the awards event if they are category winners. A supreme winner – will also be announced at the event.

The awards were established in 2001 by the former Auckland Regional Council.

Categories: Individual, Community, School, Youth

North
Katja Bigalk – Founder, Upcycle Fashion Show
Sustainable Paremoremo
Kaipatiki Project Environment Centre
Rangitoto College - Native Tree Sanctuary Project
Milford Enviro Kindergarten – Programme of sustainable initiatives
Kirsty Brashier – Rangitoto College
Brendon Finlay – Albany Senior High School
Isabelle Verney – formerly Takapuna Grammar School
Luke Carey – formerly Takapuna Grammar School

South
John Smith – Volunteer, Te Araroa walking track, Puhinui Stream restoration
Dianne Whitehead – The Gardens School environmental projects
Friends of Mangemangeroa
Old Reserve Teaching Garden
Whakaupoko West Franklin Landcare Group
Manurewa East School Enviro Warriors – Colour-coded bin system and enviro area
Papakura Normal School – McLennan Park riparian restoration
East Tamaki Anglican Mission Congregation – Conservation work at St Paul’s Church and Cemetery

Central
Mount Eden Village People
Western Springs College – Lower Meola Creek restoration project
Owairaka District School – Creating a sustainable school community
May Road School – A sustainable environment

Gulf Islands
Eugene Behan-Kitto – Waewae Atawhai – Giving Legs to Kindness (Waiheke Island)
Motutapu Restoration Trust
Kaitiaki of Newton Reserve
Windy Hill Rosalie Bay Catchment Trust
Sustainable Coastlines

West
Stafford Flood – Restoration of Waituna stream and surrounds
Alicia Warren – Founder, Lower Scroggy Stream Sustainable Neighbourhood, and volunteer Friends of Oakley Creek
Friends of the Whau Inc

East
Richard Henty – Society Totally Against Moth Plant
Meadowbank School – The Lorax Garden interactive garden
Selwyn College – Peace Garden
Pakuranga College – Creating a sustainable school
Ben Dowdle – formerly Pakuranga College
Aidan McLean – Selwyn College

ENDS

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