Nominations open for Sarnia’s Go-Green Spotlight awards

Awards honoring environmentalism in Sarnia are returning, with a twist, after a pandemic-related hiatus.

Yearly Go Green awards honoring businesses and individuals helping with things such as environmental sustainability and recycling were presented by the city’s environmental advisory committee between 2016 and 2019, before they were paused amid the coronavirus pandemic.

This week, the city announced the awards’ return as the re-imagined Go-Green Spotlight awards, but with awards happening every two months instead of once a year, and featuring one winner at a time instead of as a group.

The reasons for the changes include recognizing people more consistently, trying to inspire others to environmental action, and focusing the spotlight more on award winners, said city spokesperson Steve Henschel.

“When it comes to the environment, we’re all stakeholders,” he said.

“Everyone can have a positive impact and I think it’s important to recognize those efforts.”

The city’s climate change action plan also calls for recognizing those who make a positive contribution to the local environment, he said.

“So, this is just a way to continuously do that.”

Nominations are open now and the first award recipient is being announced April 22, Earth Day, city officials said.

Categories include business stewardship, community stewardship, Sarnia’s greenest classroom, and categories for youth and “eco-warriors.”

Details are available at sarnia.ca/greenspotlight.

“In general, we’re recognizing people for various environmental actions,” Henschel said. “So, things from sustainability initiatives, recycling efforts, conservation, stewardship of the environment, climate action, and pretty much anything under that green umbrella.”

There are two awards for business stewardship, one each for businesses with more or fewer than 20 employees.

The idea is one winner from each of the six categories will be announced each year, he said.

“We’re talking about six a year, so there are six award categories,” he said. “We would like to cover each one once a year.”

Having just one award recipient every other month gives more attention to that recipient’s accomplishments, Henschel said.

People are asked to wait at least 12 months before making a repeat nomination, he said.

“We’re going to keep a running list,” he said.

Winners will receive a certificate and be featured on sarnia.ca and via the city on social media, he said.

It’s exciting to see the awards return after, he said.

“At the city, we’re excited to start promoting these stories publicly again.”

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