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 29th Environmentalists of the Year Awards are sponsored by the Conserver Society of Hamilton and District, the Hamilton Naturalists' Club, the Hamilton Conservation Authority, the Bay Area Restoration Council, Environment Hamilton, the United Nations Association in Canada- Hamilton Branch, Friends of Red Hill Valley, the Iroquoia Bruce Trail Club and Royal Botanical Gardens.

Who can be nominated?

Individuals, groups or businesses can be nominated for the Dr. Victor Cecilioni Environmentalist of the Year Award, or an Award of Merit. In addition, the Student Bursary for Environmental Conservation is presented annually by the Hamilton Conservation Foundation.

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 effort in the Hamilton area by individuals, groups and businesses. This may include a sustained effort over a number of years, or particular projects that have taken place over a shorter period of time. More than one Award of Merit may be presented.

All nominees must have made their contribution in the City of Hamilton, or have had a significant connection to the City.

Previously submitted nominations may be resubmitted and past awards recipients may be nominated as well. Nominations must be submitted by April 1, 2008.

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 awards will be presented at the 29th Annual Environmentalists of the Year Awards Dinner. This dinner is held during Environment Week, and will take place at Michelangelo's Banquet Centre on Upper Ottawa Street, Hamilton at 5:45 p.m. on Wednesday June 4, 2008.

Submitting a Nomination

If you would like to nominate an individual, group or business to receive an award, please complete the attached form 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 nominations to:

2007 Environmentalists of the Year Awards, 269 Wexford Ave. S. Hamilton, L8K 2P4

Nominations must be postmarked by March 31, 2008.