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Raleigh’s annual Environmental Awards were held on April 21, 2023 at Raleigh’s Earth Day Event at Dorothea Dix Park.
Since 2008, the Environmental Advisory Board has recognized organizations, businesses, projects and individuals that demonstrate positive environmental benefits and engage the community, mitigate climate change, contribute to environmental justice, and show the business case for environmental stewardship.
Raleigh Environmental Stewardship Award
The winner of RESA will be either an individual or organization that has shown environmental leadership and recognizes the relationship and continuity of the environment, economics, and equity or social justice aspects of human society.
Business Innovation for Environmental Stewardship Award
The winner of this award will be an enterprise demonstrating the business case for environmental stewardship through sustainable business practices and innovations.
Climate Action Awards
Raleigh’s Community Climate Action Plan outlines key areas of impacts for greenhouse gas emissions. Awards for climate action could be given for action on: Air Quality, Energy, Transportation and Land Use, and Waste.
Community Action Award
The recipient of this award will be recognized as a volunteer, individual or non-profit organization working in Raleigh on the stewardship of natural resources, community-building, environmental justice or conservation.
Next Generation of Environmental Leaders Award
These awards recognize actions taken by young residents of Raleigh for conservation, pollution cleanup, climate protection, community resilience-building or community engagement for environmental action. Awards may be given in three age groups: middle schoolers, high schoolers and college students.
In addition to the Environmental Awards, the Office of Sustainability partners with the Transportation Department, Stormwater Management Division, Raleigh Water, Solid Waste Services and the Office of Strategy and Innovation on the following awards and contests:
- Commute Smart Award (Transportation)
- Capture it! Stormwater Arts Contest (Stormwater)
- Drinking Watershed Protection Award (Raleigh Water)
- Trashion Competition (Solid Waste Services)
- Dare to be Green Award (Strategy and Innovation)
2023 Winners
The Environmental Advisory Board selected the applicants below as the winners of the 2023 Raleigh Environmental Awards.
| Award | Winner |
|---|---|
| Commute Smart Award | Raleigh Community Kickstand |
| Dare to Be Green Award | Walnut Creek Wetland Community Partnership |
| Environmental Stewardship Award | The partnership of Sound Rivers, the Great Raleigh Cleanup, and the Walnut Creek Community Partnership for their work to protect the Walnut Creek Watershed, clean up pollution, and engage the Southeast Raleigh Community on environmental stewardship. |
| Business Innovation for Environmental Stewardship Award | Green Chair Project |
| Next Generation of Environmental Leaders Award | Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department Conservation Corps Initiative |
| Community Action Award | Gus Vandermeeren (individual) |
| Project Pando (organization) | |
| CLIMATE ACTION AWARDS | |
| Building Innovation | Care First Animal Hospital |
| Waste Reduction | Compost Now |
| Stormwater | Umstead Coalition Forested Rain Garden Project |
| Resilience and Equity | Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Dept. Street Tree Equity Project |
| Energy | Wake Tech Central Energy Plant |
No More 'Out of Sight, Out of Mind' by Katie Shen
We Otter Protect Our Waters by Gracie Ferguson
Protect Your Community by Jordyn Stott
Protect Your Community by Jordyn Stott
| Category | Name |
|---|---|
| High School Winner | Helen Kelley |
| College Winner | Amelia Boys |
| College Honorable Mention | Henry O'Bryan |
| College Honorable Mention | Liz Braaksma |
| College Honorable Mention | Jayla Renaud |