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. Alternatively you can enter over the phone by ringing the Council at 520 7400 or call in and pick up an entry form from 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.
2008/09 Winners
Supreme Award jointly sponsored by the Marlborough Research Centre and Plant and Food Research - Won by the Plaisier family at "Tui Nature Reserve" in Pelorus Sound
- Landscape Award sponsored by Morgans Road Nursery
- Won by Hunters Wines Ltd on Rapaura Road
Habitat Enhancement Award sponsored by Spy Valley Wines - Won by the Plaisier family of "Tui Nature Reserve"
Efficiency Award sponsored by Prenzel Distillery - Won by Nikki and Rob Marshall of Marlborough Plumbing and Heating
Innovation Award sponsored by Cuddons Engineering - Won by Rick Rawlings of Link Systems 2001 Ltd
Farming Award jointly sponsored by Federated Farmers and Fonterra - Won by Paul and Muff Newton, Havelock
Forestry Award sponsored by the Marlborough Forest Industry Association - Won by Lou Jowers, Okaramio
Winegrowing/Horticulture Award sponsored by Rapaura Vintners - Won by Seresin Estate, Renwick
Field Day Programme - All welcome
Wednesday 20th May
am Marlborough Plumbing and Heating - Efficiency Award
pm Rick Rawlings - Link Systems Ltd - Innovation Award
Saturday 23rd May am Lou Jowers forest block - Okaramio - Forestry Award
pm Paul and Muff Newtons farm - Havelock - Farming Award
Wednesday 27th May am Hunters Winery Ltd - Landscape Award
pm Seresin Estate - Winegrowing/Horticulture Award
Saturday 30th May all day - Plaisier Family "Tui Nature Reserve" - Habitat Enhancement and Supreme Award (bookings required for this field day in Pelorus Sound)
2007 Winners and Field Days
For information on the 2007 Environment Award winners and their enterprises, see the following field day summaries:
