Banksia Environmental Foundation

Established in 1989, Banksia is a national, independent, not-for-profit organisation that recognises and promotes environmental excellence and sustainability through its Awards program and its partnerships. The Banksia Environmental Awards are regarded as the most prestigious environmental awards in Australia. Through our national awards program and partnerships with industry, government and the community, Banksia seeks to recognise environmental excellence, promote best practice principles and contribute to action-learning and education throughout Australia. Banksia is governed by an honorary board, dedicated staff, a group of 80 voluntary expert judges, an advisory team and a diverse group of supporters, including Australian and international companies, industry associations and government agencies. The Banksia Environmental Foundation's chief patron is the Prime Minister of Australia, the Honorable Mr John Howard PM. The Banksia Environmental Awards The annual Banksia Environmental Awards are presented nationally and embrace a broad spectrum of environmental and sustainability issues across Australia. Banksia, in partnership with the Department of Environment and Heritage, also runs the Prime Minister's Environmentalist of the Year Award and in 2006 presented the inaugural DaimlerChrysler Australian Environmental Research Award. Alongside our own Award program, Banksia has built relationships with other Victorian Award programs through the management of their Award Entry and Judging process. The purpose of the awards is to: 1) recognise and reward individuals, community groups, businesses and government organisations for environmental excellence, innovation and sustainability practices; 2) promote achievements and best practice principles; and 3) contribute to action-learning and education through the support of winners and finalists as examples for others to follow. The Banksia Awards are open to companies, businesses, governments and their agencies, consultants, researchers, educators, community groups and any individuals working on environmental initiatives from all States of Australia. The initiative must be primarily undertaken in Australia, or must be shown to have a substantial environmental impact in Australia, must have recent significance and have results shown over the last two years. The Banksia Award Categories are reviewed periodically so that they remain relevant and each year entries are sought nationally for categories which range from Community and Education to Biodiversity and Water. In any given year, between 10 and 12 Category Awards are offered, along with the Banksia International Award (nominated by the Banksia Board of Management); the Banksia Gold Award (best of the best), the Prime Minister’s Environmentalist of the Year, the Daimler Chrysler Australian Environmental Research Award and more. Banksia invites you to join the hundreds of entrants, Winners and Finalists awarded since 1989 and the Banksia Environmental Foundation will join with you in promoting the excellent work that you are doing. Call us on 03 9684 4667, send an email to: [email protected] or visit our website at www.banksiafdn.com for more information on the Foundation; past Winners and Finalists; Banksia partnerships, and to register for our eNewsletter which will keep you up to date with the latest events and details for the next Awards program. Supporters of the Banksia Environmental Foundation With the help of our supporters over 200 winners have been acknowledged for their environmental excellence. Banksia is committed to working with all our supporters to establish partnerships that best suit our mutual needs.