Nominate an environment champion for SA Environment Awards

Nominations are now open for the 2022 SA Environment Awards – including Green Adelaide's Pelzer Prize – which will unearth some of the state’s most dedicated environment champions.

Presented by the Conservation Council of South Australia in partnership with Green Adelaide and the Department for Environment and Water, the awards acknowledge individuals, groups and organisations that dedicate their time, expertise, and passion to care for our precious natural environment.

Conservation SA CE Craig Wilkins says the work undertaken by community members and groups in conserving and protecting the environment deserves to be properly celebrated.

“The SA Environment Awards are a fantastic opportunity to not only showcase the incredible work of individuals and collectives who are passionate about the environment, but also to celebrate and thank them for their valuable contribution,” Mr Wilkins said.

“We know that nature is everybody’s business, and we applaud anyone who takes an interest and plays an active part in caring for the environment, now and into the future.”

Nominations are open across five categories:

• Jill Hudson Award for Environmental Protection – Now in its 25th year, this award recognises an individual living in South Australia who has made an outstanding contribution to protecting the state’s environment.
• Pelzer Prize – Championed by Green Adelaide, the Pelzer Prize recognises a conservation leader or environmental champion who works towards restoring landscapes, creating habitat for wildlife, connecting people to nature, or cleaning up natural spaces.
• Working Together Award – New in 2022, the Working Together Award recognises groups or organisations whose program has recently achieved significant results for our environment.
• Innovation Award – This new award recognises an individual, organisation or company for developing or applying an innovative solution towards a sustainable future.
• Leif Justham Young Achiever Award – Named for inspiring young climate activist Leif Justham, this award recognises individuals (or groups of young people) under the age of 28 who have made a significant contribution to protecting the state’s environment.

Conservation SA President Mark Anderson said submitting a nomination will help put our deserving environment champions firmly in the spotlight.

“Every day we see the enormous effort of individuals and organisations in caring for nature and working towards a sustainable future for South Australia, but the awards are about bringing these efforts to light among the broader community,” Mark said.

“We encourage anyone who knows a nature champion – whether well-known or unsung – to take the time to nominate them and show them how much their dedication is appreciated.”

While the awards have been running since 1998, it’s just the second year Green Adelaide’s Pelzer Prize has been awarded.

Green Adelaide Board Presiding Member Professor Chris Daniels said the quality of nominations for last year’s inaugural award highlighted how passionate people are about making a significant difference.

“The Pelzer Prize acknowledges the environmental efforts made by members of the community and organisations to support our drive for a cleaner, greener metropolitan Adelaide,” he said.

“The award is named in honour of Adelaide’s first city gardener – August Wilhelm Pelzer – who played an enormous role in transforming the city landscape.

“Last year’s winner and nominees gave us real confidence that this passion for Adelaide’s landscape has continued, and how important it is to have like-minded individuals working towards this common cause.

“We look forward to receiving this year’s nominations and celebrating the very valuable efforts and contributions of these environmental champions.”

More details about the SA Environment Awards can be found at the SA Environment Awards website.

Nominations close at 5 pm on Friday 9 September and an awards ceremony will be held on Tuesday 27 September to celebrate the worthy winners.