Eleven awards recognizing outstanding environmental achievement and leadership on Vancouver Island were presented to environmental leaders during a gala at the Laurel Point Inn on Wednesday night.
Because of the pandemic, the Ecostar Awards, which returned to a live event after a year off, included two new entries: the COVID-19 Community Leadership Award and the Hospitality Heroes Award, to acknowledge the efforts of local organizations to support Island communities over the last year and a half.
The COVID-19 Community Leadership award was shared by Cowichan Green Community, Outer Shores Expeditions and Victoria Distillers, while the Hospitality Heroes Award went to the Red Cedar Café, a non-profit community meal program that provides meals on a “pay what you can” basis.
The Clean Oceans Award was given to the Small Ship Tour Operators Association of British Columbia for its leadership on ocean protection.
The Climate Action Award, for greenhouse-gas reduction, went to Polar Engineering, while the award for ecological leadership was given to Pacific Wild.
The Eco-Preneur of the Year went to Melodie Reynolds of Elate Cosmetics, which creates beauty products using cruelty-free ingredients and sustainable practices, while the Inspirational new venture went to joni for its line of all-natural feminine protection products.
The Innovation Award went to Cascadia Seaweed, while the Local Food Award, for companies that produce or sell Island products, went to the Cowichan Valley Co-operative Marketplace.
The Social Impact Award was shared by Community Salons and the Harvest & Share Food Relief Society for their work on addressing social needs, and the Waste to Resource Award, handed out for diverting waste from the landfill and turning it into new products, went to BinBreeze, which produces a natural, non-toxic odour reducing composting powder.
aduffy@timescolonist.com
