The Next Awards
Entries will be accepted for the 2008/09 Environment Awards between September and October 2008 with judging taking place over the summer and the Awards dinner and presentations being held in April 2009. Contact Nicky Eade Ph 03 520 7400 for more details or email nicky.eade@marlborough.govt.nz.
Who Can Enter?
The Marlborough Environment Awards
Celebrate those who protect and enhance the natural environment and use resources and energy efficiently.
Any enterprise - from large-scale industries to backyard projects - with these values inbuilt, should consider entering.
You can enter as many times as you like, except in a category you have previously won (unless there have been significant new developments).
What's Involved?
- Click HERE for the entry form, fill it in on-line, then print off and post to Council. No other paperwork is needed.
- A team of judges will visit your property over summer, at a time that suits.
- If you win, you will be presented with your prize at the Awards dinner and your enterprise will be showcased at a field day.
Which Categories Should I Enter?
The seven award categories are listed to the left alongside the sponsors' logos.
- Go for what you see as the nearest fit.
- Judges will also consider your entry for any relevant award. For example, a winegrowing/horticulture entrant could be eligible for an innovation, habitat enhancement or landscape award.
- Preferably, enter your whole business. While one aspect may stand out as especially commendable, the judges' visit is an opportunity to take a look at practices in other areas.
What are the Judges looking for?
Judges are looking for all or some of the following;
- Impacts on the soil, water and air and efforts to minimise negative effects.
- Responsible disposal of waste.
- Efficient use of resources including water, energy, fuel and labour.
- Sustainable weed, pest and disease management.
- Community responsibility.
- Staff/industry/community education role.
- Biodiversity values.
- Landscape and conservation values.
- Innovative practices.
- Awareness of Resource Management Act requirements and of potential impacts on Marlborough's natural environment.
Finances are outside the scope of the Awards.
How Can I Prepare for Judge's Visit?
- Think about the impact of your business on the natural environment and what you are doing to minimise negative effects.
- Gather evidence that you are working towards meeting environmental goals.
- Plan where you will take the judges.
If you like, write summary notes to ensure these points are covered. A copy for judges will remind them of what they've seen.
What Does Judging Involve?
- Judges will spend one to three hours on your property, depending on the scale of your entry.
- First, you will give an overview of your enterprise or project.
- You will take the judges to agreed sites and answer questions designed to identify ways your enterprise is environmentally responsible and areas where it could improve.
Why Enter?
- The Marlborough Environment Awards are about showcasing efforts to run a successful business while looking after the environment.
- For most entrants, putting themselves forward is about their belief in the sharing of information and experience.
- Judges' feedback is an auditing opportunity, highlighting positives and suggesting improvements.
- Participation builds a positive image for Marlborough industries, which helps attract premiums for our produce.
- Winners take home prizes worth $1000 to $2500 and their enterprise attracts positive publicity.
A regular newsletter updating happenings and upcoming events for the 2006/2007 round of the Marlborough Environment Awards will be posted below.
Marlborough Environment Awards July Newsletter (26kb)
Over the years a number of good practices and ideas have been identifed through the judging process. These have been collected together into the following Best Practice Guidelines.
2007 Winners and Field Days
For information on the 2007 Environment Award winners and their enterprises, see the following field day summaries:
