2012 Banksia Awards: searching for Australia’s leading environmental sustainability initiatives

Friday, 18 May, 2012

There is a whole range of organisations, through to individual Australians, who are determined to make Australia a more environmentally sustainable country. The Banksia Awards encourage these people to step up and make themselves known to the rest of the country.

The awards are run by the Banksia Environmental Foundation, a national not-for-profit organisation which promotes environmental excellence and sustainability through its Awards program and other associated initiatives.

With eight category awards that acknowledge various important areas of focus, there are plenty of opportunities to showcase environmental innovation and excellence. These include:

Award	Description
Education Award - Raising the Bar	Recognises leadership and innovation in lifting awareness, improving understanding, advancing social and community consciousness of sustainability issues to achieve real, tangible outcomes.
Land and Biodiversity Award - Preserving Our Ecosystems	Recognises demonstrated leadership and innovation in protecting and enhancing land systems, soils, forests and biodiversity.
Water Award - Our Most Precious Resource	Recognises leadership and innovation in assuring continued environment and community access, both today and by future generations, to quality freshwater resources and vibrant marine environments.
Agriculture and Food Award - From Paddock to Plate Sustainably	Recognises leadership and innovation in moving to more sustainable and productive agricultural and food manufacturing practices, also in the management of the preparation and distribution of commodities of food.
Built Environment Award - Harmonious Manmade Landscapes	Recognises leadership and innovation by integrating sustainable principles and practices in designing, building and retrofitting, today, the homes, the suburbs, businesses and infrastructure of the future.
Clean Technology Award - Harnessing Opportunities	Recognises leadership and innovation in removing climate, wastes and water impacts through the development and application of innovations that use new approaches, technologies and/or energy systems for business and community benefit.
Leading in Sustainability - Setting the Standard for Large Organisations Award	Recognises businesses and organisations with 200+ employees demonstrating leadership through fully integrating sustainable principles and practices into operational activities, reducing the organisation’s footprint and influencing and educating suppliers and customers.
Leading in Sustainability - Setting the Standard for Small to Medium Businesses Award	Recognises businesses with less than 200 employees demonstrating leadership through fully integrating sustainable principles and practices into operational activities, reducing the organisation’s footprint.

The 2011 Built Environment Award Winner, Hepburn Wind, is already experiencing the benefits of winning this prestigious award.

“Our Banksia Award provides recognition for the 1900+ members that have made our project possible and the dedication of our small staff and dozens of passionate and visionary volunteers,” said Simon Holmes à Court, Chairman at Hepburn Wind.

“With the turbines complete and generating clean, safe electricity, we are excited by the opportunities now available to other communities. National recognition of our achievements, through the Banksia Awards, assists us to explain the benefits of locally owned renewable energy to a large number of communities.”

With a 24-year history, the Banksia Awards have made a difference to numerous community groups through to large organisations. This year will be no exception.

“A Banksia Award can assist initiatives to move to the next level, get recognition, creating greater awareness,” said Graz van Egmond, Executive Director, Banksia Environmental Foundation, “so we encourage entries because outstanding environmental sustainability achievement deserves to be recognised.”

To enter the Banksia Awards or to register for one of the information sessions being held around the country (from 28 May-6 June), visit www.banksiafdn.com/the-awards.

Submissions close 24 August at 5.00 pm.