Fraser Basin Council

2004 Sustainability Awards
Each year, thousands of men, women and young people working with hundreds of community groups, businesses and government agencies dedicate countless hours to help ensure a sustainable future for the Fraser River Basin.

The Fraser Basin Council's Sustainability Awards underscore the achievements of these sustainability champions. Since the biennial Awards were launched in 1998, hundreds of organizations, communities and individuals have been honoured with nominations and awards. See below for information on past award winners.

The Sustainability Awards ceremony is always a highlight of the biennial State of the Fraser Basin conferences. Last year's event was particularly poignant as Mike Harcourt joined Lt.-Gov. Iona Campagnolo at the Awards ceremony. Former premier Harcourt said he chose this event for his first public appearance since his accident because of his past involvement with the Council and to underscore the importance of advancing sustainability throughout the entire Fraser Basin.

The 2004 Sustainability Awards will be presented at the Awards luncheon on November 27, 2004. Lt-Gov. Campagnolo has confirmed her attendance at this year's event.

Nominate Your Sustainability Champion
Nominations are now being received. Nominations are welcome from individuals, businesses, organizations, community groups, governments and institutions for work or activities that take place within the Fraser River Basin, the area drained by the Fraser River and its tributaries. As in previous years, awards will be presented in five categories:

Overall Sustainability.
Understanding Sustainability.
Strengthening Communities.
Caring For Ecosystems.
Improving Decision Making.

2002 Sustainability Awards
The 2002 Sustainability Awards were presented at the third biennial State of the Fraser Basin Conference held in Richmond in January 2003. From a standing ovation for former Premier Mike Harcourt, to an emotion filled speech by BC's Lieutenant-Governor Iona Campagnolo, the 2002 Sustainability Awards luncheon provided a memorable closing to a remarkable conference. Of the 100 organizations and individuals nominated for the awards this year, 22 organizations were short-listed. Awards were presented in five categories:

Overall Sustainability – Co-winners: the City of Burnaby and the City of Quesnel.
Understanding Sustainability – Cooperative Auto Network.
Caring for Ecosystems – Chilako Watershed Council.
Strengthening Communities – Lheidli T'enneh Nation, the City of Prince George and the Fraser-Fort George Regional District.
Improving Decision-Making – FORREX – Forest Research Extension Partnership.

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For more information on the Sustainability Award Categories, go to:
Sustainability Award Categories

For more information on the 2002 Sustainability Awards Winners, go to:
2002 Sustainability Awards

For more information on the 2000 Sustainability Awards Winners, go to:
2000 Sustainability Awards

For more information on the 1998 Sustainability Award Winners, go to:
1998 Sustainability Awards

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AWARD CATEGORIES

1. UNDERSTANDING SUSTAINABILITY AWARD
One Award will be presented to honour those who demonstrate or seek to communicate a better understanding of sustainability. The award recognizes contributions that enhance our understanding of how vibrant communities can be built through improved social well-being, strong & diverse economies, and the maintenance and improvement of the air, water, land & living species that make up our ecosystem. Submissions should demonstrate a comprehension of the goals of sustainability, and could include:

Choice of lifestyle decisions that foster sustainability;
Encouragement of leadership to promote values and goals;
Sharing of ideas to generate action;
Education of citizenry to achieve sustainability targets;
Other

2. STRENGTHENING COMMUNITIES AWARD
One Award will be presented to honour those who assist communities to become more robust, sustainable & self-sufficient. The award recognizes those who enable communities to build diverse economies, an educated work force, safe neighbourhoods, accessibility to basic commodities, shared goals, local action and/or a sense of belonging. Submissions should demonstrate an example of community innovation, and could include:

Involvement of aboriginal communities;
Practicing sustainable transportation;
Diversification of the local economy;
Other.

3. CARING FOR ECOSYSTEMS AWARD
One Award will be presented to honour those who work as stewards of the environment & natural resources. This award recognizes those initiatives that respect ecosystems and their interrelationships. Submissions should demonstrate stewardship of resources, and could include:

Enhancement of wildlife and fisheries habitat;
Stewardship of agricultural lands;
Management of Basin ecosystems;
Practicing sustainability in the forest, mining or energy sectors;
Furthering air quality goals; and/or
Other.

4. IMPROVING DECISION-MAKING AWARD
One Award will be presented to honour those who demonstrate collaborative decision-making. This award recognizes processes that reach creative agreements and achieve common goals that reflect the diverse needs of a growing population mixed in gender, culture, religion, age & interest, while reflecting jurisdiction of aboriginal rights & title. Submissions could include quality decision-making models that are:

Collective and co-operative;
Include diverse groups and interests;
Are accountable, transparent and accessible;
Other.

5. OVERALL SUSTAINABILITY AWARD
One Award will be presented to honour those who have made or are making a contribution in each of the Sustainability Award categories listed above. This award will be presented to the individual, community, or organization whose initiatives best combine the qualities of understanding sustainability, caring for ecosystems, strengthening communities and improving decision-making. Moreover, their work contributes to the Fraser River Basin achieving its vision of becoming a place where social well-being is supported by a vibrant economy & sustained by a healthy environment.

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2002 Sustainability Awards

Understanding Sustainability - Cooperative Auto Network (CAN) A not-for-profit co-operative venture that fosters car sharing as an alternative to the privately owned automobile. CAN aims to improve air quality, reduce stresses on green space and eliminate many non-point sources of pollution.	Pictured (l-r): FBC Regional Coordinator Bob Purdy with FBC Director Bruce Sampson, CAN Executive Director Tracey Axelson and FBC Director Coro Strandberg.
Caring for Ecosystems - Chilako Watershed Council A partnership of local landowners, government, Canfor and conservation interests that allows the community to be "in the driver's seat", to identify riparian land use issues in their watershed and develop action plans to address those issues.	Pictured (l-r): FBC Director Bob Peart with CWC Coordinator Laura Grafton, FBC Director Duncan Jeffries and Jack Blaney
Strengthening Communities - Lheidli T'enneh Nation, City of Prince George and Regional District of Fraser Fort George These three parties signed a Protocol on Cooperation and Communication that formalizes already established relationships among the three parties, signifying a commitment to work in a cooperative manner, share staff resources and technology, and cooperate in exchange of mutually relevant information.	Pictured (l-r): FBC Director Valerie Kordyban, Bob Long from the Fraser-Fort George Regional District and Jack Blaney.
Improving Decision Making - FORREX - Forest Research Extension Partnership Working with its 63 government and non-government partners, FORREX fosters improved natural resource decision-making and practices in BC, and links the province's forest resource practitioners and policy makers with current research results from world leaders in science and innovation.	The Improving Decision-Making Award went to Kamloops-based FORREX. Pictured (l-r): FBC Directors Colin Masson and Bob Patterson with FORREX's Christine Hollstedt and Jack Blaney
Overall Sustainability - City of Burnaby and City of Quesnel The City of Burnaby has consistently demonstrated its commitment to preserving and promoting its livability for future generations to inherit. It has shown that environmental protection, community livability and economic development can be successfully integrated in an urban community. The City of Quesnel has undertaken a number of sustainability initiatives and is a recognized leader in this field. Milestones include Quesnel's Sustainability Indicator Report, Community Energy Plan, Sewage Treatment Partnership, Airshed Management Roundtable, PowerSmart II Initiative, Nature Interpretive Centre, Baker Creek Enhancement Society and Land Use Planning/OCP.	Pictured (l-r): City of Quesnel Councillor and Acting Mayor Mike Doyle, former FBC Director and former MLA Darlene Marzari, former premier Mike Harcourt, Jack Blaney, Regional Coordinator Bob Purdy and Burnaby Mayor Derek Corrigan.

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For more information on the 2002 Sustainability Award Winners and Nominees, go to:

January 25, 2003 News Release - 64KB
December 18, 2002 News Release - 120KB

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2000 FBC Sustainability Award Winners

Understanding Sustainability - Carney's Waste System
Caring for Ecosystems - Fraser Valley Regional Watersheds Coalition
Strengthening Communities - West Fraser Timber Company
Improving Decision-Making - Sun Rivers Corporation for Sun Rivers Resort Community
Overall Sustainability - Salmon River Watershed Roundtable

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1998 FBC Sustainability Award Winners

Understanding Sustainability - Recycling Council of BC
Caring for Ecosystems - Fraser River Coalition and Dr. Vernon (Bert) Brink
Strengthening Communities - Keith Spencer, Vanderhoof Specialty Wood Products
Improving Decision-Making - Alouette River Management Society
Overall Sustainability - City of Kamloops

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