The City of Vernon is pleased to announce the winners of the 2016 Sustainability Awards for outstanding achievements in Sustainable Business, Community Sustainability and Youth Initiatives. The following award recipients contribute to community sustainability through environmental stewardship, economic viability and social inclusiveness.
Sustainable Business: Venture Training and Ed Columbus – Venture Training is a community based, non-profit business organization that proudly supports adults with development disabilities with social, educational and vocational skill building since 1955. Ed Columbus has a passion for environmental stewardship, creating and facilitating numerous recycling programs, and establishing strong community recycling partnerships with local corporations during his 27 years of service with Venture Training. Venture Training provides services for more than 200 participants, offering 16 distinctive interactive programs that empower individuals to use their strengths with hands-on skill-building opportunities to enrich quality of life.
Community Sustainability: Allan Brooks Nature Centre (ABNC) is committed to promoting the enjoyment of nature and increasing awareness of habitat conservation through environmental education and nature-related activities in the Okanagan region. ABNC engages youth, educators, industry professionals and community stewardship groups through nature programs and environmentally related opportunities. ABNC programs were delivered to approximately 2,800 school-aged children in 2015.
Youth Initiatives: Corbin Kelley actively volunteers in a variety of sustainability-related initiatives. As a student of the Vernon Community School, Corbin was instrumental in getting the Free Breakfast program at Clarence Fulton Secondary School up and running. Corbin also volunteered for multiple Earth Day celebrations in Vernon through event planning and volunteering team coordination, as well as assisting in multiple transportation demand management outreach initiatives. Corbin is also actively engaged in our local community through volunteering with the MLA’s office and is an active member of the Advisory Planning Committee with the City of Vernon. Corbin has shown exemplary commitment in his contribution to the sustainability in the local community.
The award recipients will be recognized through various events and media during Environment Week from June 5 to -11, and will be recognized by Mayor and Council during a special Council presentation on Monday, June 13.
Below is a complete list of nominations received:
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Category |
Name/Organization |
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Sustainable Business |
Venture Training and Ed Columbus (Community based, non-profit business organization serving persons with developmental disabilities) |
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North Okanagan Valley Gleaners (Community based, non-profit business dedicated to reducing food waste and improving food distribution) |
|
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Community Sustainability |
Keli Westgate (Community volunteer involved in permaculture, composting, water reclamation and sustainability education) |
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Michael Carlson (Community volunteer dedicated to supporting environmental programs and youth education.) |
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Heather Miller (Community volunteer dedicated to local agriculture and sustainability) |
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Allan Brooks Nature Centre (Stewardship society promoting environmental education, the enjoyment of nature and increasing awareness of habitat conservation) |
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Youth Initiative |
Kala Star Academic and Outdoor School (School group engaged in environmental initiatives and community programs) |
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Corbin Kelley (Youth volunteer actively engaged in sustainability related initiatives) |
Photo: Students get up close and personal with wildlife at Allan Brooks Nature Centre.