Environmental achievers celebrated at 2024 Community Awards
Southlanders caring for our unique species and taking action in their businesses and on farms, with the environment at heart, were among those acknowledged at this evening’s 28th Environment Southland Community Awards.
The awards provide a vital platform for environmental leaders throughout Murihiku Southland to be celebrated and for their stories to be told.
Environment Southland chairman Nicol Horrell said he and his fellow councillors are proud to acknowledge and celebrate outstanding environmental achievements and the people driving them.
“This is my sixteenth awards and I can’t help but reflect on the power of positive action. Each year a new group of environmental leaders uplift, empower and encourage so many others to do more. Their stories are amazing and inspiring, and their mahi benefits not only us, but those who come after us, too.”
There are seven award categories providing for a wide range of environmental achievements to be recognised and celebrated. Winners receive sponsored cash prizes and trophies.
Winners of the 2024 Environment Southland Community Awards are:
Environmental Action in Biodiversity and Biosecurity
Sponsored by Invercargill Licensing Trust
Winner: Aparima River Restoration Project
Environmental Leadership and Innovation in Business
Sponsored by Aon New Zealand
Winner: Kiwi Skips
Highly commended: Fonterra Edendale
Environmental Action in the Community
Sponsored by WM Environmental
Winner: Otatara Landcare Group
Highly commended: Makarewa Headwaters Catchment Group
Environmental Action in Education
Sponsored by Fonterra
Winner: Heddon Bush School
Environmental Leadership in Farming
Sponsored by Wynn Williams
Winner: Blair & Jody Drysdale
Individual Environmental Leadership or Action
Sponsored by ANZ
Winner: Shona Sangster
Environmental Action in Water Quality Improvement
Sponsored by Southland Fish & Game
Winner: Balfour Catchment Group
Councillors’ Award
Department of Conservation Pukunui Southern NZ Dotterel Recovery Team
Kaitiaki Tohu Pai Award
Winner: Alan Watson (posthumous)
Celebrated with, and presented to, his daughter Natalie Rosel for Alan’s tireless work with Sunrise Rotary to raise public awareness about what goes down stormwater drains ends up in our streams, rivers and estuaries.
More information and videos of the finalists is available on the Environment Southland website www.es.govt.nz/about-us/community-awards/2024-environment-awards
