Nominations for the Second Annual Green Mountain Environmental Leadership Awards are now being accepted. The awards are presented by ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center at the Leahy Center for Lake Champlain and AllEarth Renewables and Free Press Media.

Last year a celebration took place at the ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center, where fourteen finalists from around the state were recognized for their leadership and contributions to Vermont’s environment. The evening awards program drew close to 150 people. This year's awards ceremony will take place on Tuesday evening, April 17 at ECHO.

Nomination Categories

There are three categories for consideration. Deadline for entries is postage date January 31, 2012.

Citizen Scientist Award

Second Annual Green Mountain Environmental Leadership Citizen Scientist Award is given to a member of the public, an organization, a classroom or school showing grassroots persistence in addressing a continuing environmental challenge. The people or groups in this category might not have specific or formal scientific training, but have made a contribution to science or the environment through commitment, passion or motivated public participation in science or environmental activities. These efforts may have occurred within the past three years, but should be ongoing.

• Online Entry Form: Citizen Scientist Award | PDF Entry Form

Collaboration Award

Second Annual Green Mountain Environmental Leadership Collaboration Award Nominees should involve two or more community groups or individuals who worked together to combat challenges with conservation, sustainability or protecting the environment where others shied away would share this award. The award can be for any joint approach to problem solving among groups or individuals who often have varying points of view.

• Online Entry Form: Collaboration Award | PDF Entry Form

Persistence Toward Achieving Results Award

Second Annual Green Mountain Environmental Leadership Persistence Toward Achieving Results Award recognizes Vermonters who stick to it, who persisted at causes that promote sustainability or conservation, or for actions that clearly demonstrate a benefit to the environment. People who submit nominations should include charts, video or scientific data showing activities and results within the past five years.

• Online Entry Form: Persistence Toward Achieving Results Award | PDF Entry Form

The Awards

The Green Mountain Environmental Leadership Awards was created in 2011 by ECHO and its partner, FreePressMedia and its newspaper the Burlington Free Press. Both organizations recognized the enormous amount of individual talent and commitment shown by Vermonters toward bettering and protecting our environment. This recognition program was created as a way to recognize the "unsung heroes" of environmental stewardship and also to make others award of the extraordinary work ordinary citizens do on our behalf.

Mission

To recognize environmental stewards and their initiatives that have shaped, inspired, encouraged long-term support of Vermont’s rich and diverse natural environment. The awards are open to all Vermont groups and individuals and will be based on activities that have taken place and/or have been ongoing in the last three years.