Residents, schools and community groups in County Durham are being reminded that there’s still time to enter this year’s County Durham Environment Awards.
The awards are organised by the County Durham Environment Partnership to reward great design, environmental guardianship and community spirit.
This year the awards include new categories and due to the fact that there may be greater interest in entering, arrangements have been made to extend the deadline by an extra week.
People are being urged to make their nominations before the new deadline on July 19.
Organisers are particularly keen to receive more nominations for young volunteers and schools.
The awards have been running since 1989 with past winners including architects, school caretakers, garden centre owners and an angling club.
The categories in the awards are:
- Built environment
- Climate change
- Community partnership
- Craftsmanship
- Greener business
- Natural environment and countryside improvement
- Schools and colleges
- Volunteer group of the year
- Volunteer of the year – under 18
- Volunteer of the year – over 18
- Waste management.
People and groups can nominate themselves for an award in all categories except the two individual volunteer categories.
The most popular categories entered so far this year are built environment and the volunteer group, which is a new category for 2012.
Terry Collins, chair of the County Durham Environment Partnership, said: “There’s some fantastic environmental work being carried out throughout the county, so don’t miss your chance to be recognised. It’s quick and easy to enter online.
“The range of categories is specifically designed to attract a really diverse selection of entrants, from environmental professionals and specialists to residents and volunteer groups giving up their time to make improvements in their communities.
“We know that our schools and young people are doing great work in school grounds and in their local area so this is a great opportunity to nominate them and say thank you for those efforts.”
As well as the main categories there is also an ‘outstanding award’ for entries which have far exceeded the category criteria and is viewed by the judges as exemplary.
This award is decided by the judges but is not necessarily awarded every year.
The award is supported by homes and communities organisation livin. Alan Boddy, executive director people and communities, said: “We are pleased to support this countywide awards scheme, and particularly the ‘outstanding award’ which recognises the importance the environment plays in sustaining strong, vibrant and successful communities.”
The closing date for entries is July 19. Shortlisting and judging will take place over the summer with an awards event being held in Durham in October.
Information and an online entry form is available at www.countydurhampartnership.co.uk/envawards or by contacting the awards administrator Candace Wood on 0191 383 3347.
