A selection of environmentally-conscious individuals and businesses have been named as finalists in the inaugural Noosa Biosphere Awards.
The Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation launched the new awards program as part of the 50th Anniversary of the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Program to recognise environmental and sustainability excellence in Noosa Shire.
NBRF Chair Rex Halverson said entries were high calibre.
“The feedback we received from the judges was the number of high-quality entries received clearly demonstrated why the Noosa Shire is leading the way in biosphere reserve management and sustainability,” he said.
“This is exactly why we felt it was time our region had an awards program that recognised those individuals and businesses making a real difference.”
An independent panel of eight judges included inaugural Noosa Biosphere Ltd Chair Michael Donovan, former Zero Emissions Noosa President Vivien Griffin,Noosa & District Landcare’s Phil Moran, former NBRF Director Judy Castledine and Noosa Shire Councillors Brian Stockwell, Amelia Lorentson, Karen Finzel, and Tom Wegener.
Entrants are in the running for awards in four categories – Land, Water, Wildlife, and People & Economy.
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Noosa Biosphere Awards finalists
- Land, sponsored by University of the Sunshine Coast: PermEco Noosa, Dangerbridge Nature Reserve, Noosa Landcare – Keeping it in Kin Kin project.
- Water, sponsored by Tourism Noosa: Land & Sea Brewery (Can for a Cause), Noosa Integrated Catchment Association, Noosa World Surfing Reserve.
- Wildlife, sponsored by International Fund for Animal Welfare: Meghan Halverson, Rachel Lyons, Dr Romane Cristescu.
- People & Economy, sponsored by Noosa Council Economic Development: Earth Tech, Noosa Environmental Education Hub, Plastic Free Noosa.
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“Congratulations to all of our finalists and each of the entrants,” Mr Halverson said.
“Our community is very fortunate to have so many environmental champions among us, each of whom contribute greatly to the health, prosperity and sustainability of Noosa.
“The Judging Panel also made special reference to two emerging young Noosa Biosphere warriors acknowledging the entries from Spencer Hitchen and Jarrah Small.”
The winners will be announced at the Wild Koala Gala on Tuesday, November 2. Tickets are on sale at noosabiosphere.org.au/gala.
