Nominations are open for 2026 Environmental Recognition Awards

BRANTFORD, ON – The City of Brantford, in partnership with the City’s Environmental Sustainability Policy Advisory Committee (ESPAC), is pleased to launch the 2026 Environmental Recognition Awards. The awards recognize and celebrate adults, youths and businesses who have demonstrated environmental leadership.

“As our community strives toward the City’s goal of becoming net-zero by 2050, it’s important to celebrate the individuals, organizations and businesses that are implementing environmentally conscious changes into their day to day,” says Brantford Mayor Kevin Davis. “By recognizing environmental leadership, we reinforce our shared responsibility to build a more sustainable and resilient community.”

Nominations are now open until 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 26, 2026 and can be completed online at Brantford.ca/EnvironmentalAwards. Residents can nominate themselves or anyone else who has demonstrated leadership in projects that resulted in measurable improvements in preservation, conservation, sustainability, education, advocacy, green infrastructure, or environmental clean ups and restoration.

There are six award categories:

• Lifetime Achievement: an individual who has made a substantial contribution to green/environmental issues over many years, typically after many years of activity and measurable improvements in sustainability, education, advocacy, green infrastructure, or environmental clean ups and restoration. A minimum of 10 years of service is required for this award.

• Green Non-profit in Brantford: a government agency, institution or non-profit organization for its contribution to maintaining a healthy environment. This is typically where educational and healthcare projects may apply. Examples include community gardens, community clean ups, initiatives which preserve and/or restore local ecosystems and wildlife habitats, and activism to establish and sustain protected areas. This also includes examples of non-profits that are taking the lead in improving the environmental sustainability of their products/services, administrative policies, programs and/or operations.

• Green Business in Brantford: a business for its focus on the green/environmental health of Brantford. This award recognizes businesses for excellence in green practices, strategies and products that benefit the City of Brantford. Examples of businesses eligible for this award include those that are taking the lead in improving the environmental sustainability of their products/services, business practices, programs and/or operations.

• Greenest Family in Brantford: a family for outstanding achievement in reducing its environmental footprint. These measures are limited to the family practices but might include an improved streetscape, water reductions, energy efficiency, clean ups and restorations of natural habitats, natural gardening practices and/or street wide green awareness.

• Environmental Volunteer: those involved in environmental initiatives as a volunteer. This would apply to tree planting, river clean ups, awareness raising and advocacy through an organization, non-profit or institution. These are unpaid volunteer hours for green/environmental actions and projects.

• Young Environmental Champion Award: the leadership of young people in projects that create a cleaner, greener Brantford. Examples of projects eligible for this award include those which naturalize school grounds, reduce waste, recycle, conserve energy, protect wildlife, fundraise, and educate others. Students are typically nominated by a teacher, parent, peers or educator. Awards are available for elementary age (children ages 6 to 13) and secondary age (children ages 14 to 18).

Award winners will be announced during the Tuesday, June 23, 2026, City Council meeting. Learn more and submit a nomination at Brantford.ca/EnvironmentalAwards.