Biodiversity plays a crucial role in the health of individual ecosystems and the planet as a whole.
Its importance will be recognised by Lismore City Council in the upcoming 2019 Lismore Biodiversity Awards and the council is now calling for nominations.
The inaugural awards were held in August 2017 to acknowledge and thank the farmers, rural landholders, community groups and schools working to protect and enhance our local biodiversity.
The biennial awards are part of Council’s Biodiversity Management Strategy and promote community recognition of the many Landcare groups, wildlife carers, volunteers, farmers, landholders and environmental crusaders who help support and protect healthy habitats and native wildlife.
This year council has introduced a new category, for an educator or school, to recognise passionate communicators that inspire others to take action for biodiversity.
Council are asking the community to nominate people or groups who show great passion for the environment and an enduring love for the land that is demonstrated in the legacy they are creating.
Each winner will receive $1000 in cash or goods and services such as bush regeneration, native trees or mulch thanks to this year’s generous sponsors – the Department of Primary Industry, North Coast Local Land Services, Fire-wheel Rainforest Nursery and Richmond Landcare Inc.
The 2019 awards categories are: NSW Department of Primary Industry – Primary Producer Award: For farmers demonstrating best practice managing biodiversity alongside agricultural production; North Coast Local Land Services – Rural Lifestyle Landholder: For ‘rural lifestyle’ landholders demonstrating outstanding biodiversity work; Community Group: For community groups doing excellent biodiversity restoration or protection work e.g. Landcare, wildlife care and rescue groups; and, Educator or School: For any school or community educator inspiring action for biodiversity protection and restoration.
Award nominations are now open and entry forms can be found on the Lismore Council website.
Nominations close on June 30. The awards will be presented at the Lismore City Bowling Club in September during National Landcare Week.
