CALL FOR NOMINATIONS
Environmentalists of the Year Awards Committee Seeks Nominations for the 2024 Hamilton Environmentalists of the Year Awards
The Awards Program
Hamilton’s Environmentalists of the Year Awards have been held each year since 1979, to honour individuals and groups who have made a significant contribution to the protection and/or enhancement of the environment in the City of Hamilton. Past recipients include: Dr. Victor Cecilioni, Dr. Ray Lowes, Gil Simmons, Dr. Jack Vallentyne, Don McLean, Dr. Lynda Lukasik, Ian Reid, Dr. Brian McCarry, Dr. Mark Sproule-Jones and Alison Healing.
The 43rd Environmentalists of the Year Awards are brought to you by McMaster University, the Hamilton Naturalists’ Club, the Hamilton Conservation Authority, Environment Hamilton, the Iroquoia Bruce Trail Club, the Royal Botanical Gardens, The Canadian Wildlife Federation and Mohawk College.
Who can be nominated?
Individuals, groups, students or businesses can be nominated for the Dr. Victor Cecilioni Environmentalist of the Year Award, or an Award of Merit.
There are three new awards that will be added this year to the Environmentalists of the Year Awards program. Individuals, groups, businesses, and students who have made a significant contribution to the protection and/or enhancement of the environment in the City of Hamilton are eligible to be nominated for any of these awards.
- Nature Post Secondary Youth Leadership Award: Recognizes individuals aged 17-24 who have demonstrated leadership and positive impact in environmental protection at a local or broader scale.
- The Youth Group or School Award: Recognizes youth groups or educational entities who have shown distinguished public service in environmental achievement.
- Environmental Project Award: Recognizes individuals, groups, or businesses that exhibit leadership and exceptional achievement in planning and implementing a program that protects and regenerates the natural environment.
Selection Criteria
The Dr. Victor Cecilioni Environmentalist of the Year Award is presented to an individual, group or business in recognition of an outstanding contribution to environmental activity and leadership in Hamilton. The nominee should have demonstrated a long-standing, significant commitment to the environment, which may have been expressed in both professional and voluntary efforts. Normally this award is presented to recognize efforts spread over a period of years, however, a single outstanding achievement may be considered.
The Environmentalists of the Year Award of Merit is presented each year to recognize excellence in environmental efforts in the Hamilton area by individuals, groups, students and businesses. This may include a sustained effort over several years or particular projects that have taken place over a shorter period. More than one Award of Merit may be presented.
All nominees must have made their contribution to the City of Hamilton, or have had a significant connection to the City. Previous nominations may be resubmitted and past award recipients may be nominated for a different award as well. Nominations are now open and must be submitted by March 7th, 2025.
In selecting the recipient(s) of the awards, a panel of judges will consider the nature of the environmental activities undertaken by each nominee and the resulting achievements, using the materials submitted to support the nomination form.
The Awards Presentation
The 2024 Environmentalists of the Year Awards ceremony promises to be a night to remember!
Join us at the LR Wilson Hall on the McMaster University campus on April 4th, 2025, from 6:00 pm to 9:30 pm for a fantastic celebration of our community’s environmental champions. Enjoy delicious finger foods and beverages from the cash bar while mingling with fellow environmental enthusiasts. Don’t forget to strike a pose at our photo wall to commemorate the evening! The awards presentation will take place during the event, where we’ll recognize the outstanding contributions of individuals and groups who have made a significant impact on the environment in the City of Hamilton. We can’t wait to see you there!
Submitting a Nomination
If you would like to nominate an individual, group, student or business to receive an award, please complete the form below and provide details and documentation regarding the criteria noted on the form. The nomination should describe in detail the nature and purpose of the environmental activity undertaken by the nominee, the resulting achievements, and the reasons you believe the nomination to be of merit. Supporting material such as letters of reference and additional information and documentation must be included with this nomination. We regret that the judges can consider only nomination submissions completed in full.
Please forward supporting materials to:
Nature at McMaster – Nature@McMaster.ca
NOTE: Nominations must received electronically by March 7th, 2025.
NOMINATION FORM
(Please click here if you prefer to download and mail in the Nomination Form)
