The NSW Environment Awards, hosted by the state’s leading environmental advocacy organisation, Nature Conservation Council NSW, was recently held at Customs House in Sydney.
The biennial event, now in its 20th year, recognises the people, community groups and organisation across NSW dedicating time, energy and expertise to protecting nature and fighting for a safe climate.
Tweed-based group Green Heroes took out the Marie Byles Award at the 2026 NSW Environment Awards, recognised for their work pioneering a community-led approach to protecting one of northern NSW most fragile marine environments: the Cook Island Aquatic Reserve.
Working with the NSW government, Green Heroes has introduced new guidelines for responsible visits to the reserve, including Australia’s first Swimming with Turtles Code.
The group is also developing a digital Marine Atlas, using citizen science to document biodiversity and monitor changes in the marine environment.
In the words of their award citation, ‘By combining conservation, education, technology and community participation, Green Heroes is creating an innovative model for protecting marine environments and empowering communities to become long-term custodians of the places they love.’
The other winners for 2026
- Sutherland Shire: Kal Glanznig – Sutherland Shire Councillor and young leader on reducing plastic pollution and taking climate action.
- Hawkesbury Region: Hawkesbury Environment Network (HEN) – representative organisation for environmental information, advocacy, education and action in the Hawkesbury region
- Sydney-Based: Steph Cunio – unionist and environmental and climate advocate
- Hunter Region: Ryan Pereira – Sea Shelter, ocean conservation
NCC’s prestigious lifetime awards went to:
- Gay Spies – Willoughby Environmental Protection Association.
- Keelah Lam – Sydney Knitting Nannas, lifelong environmental advocate.
- Prof. Gisela Kaplan – legendary ornithologist, professor emeritus in animal behaviour at the University of New England and honorary professor at the Queensland Brain Institute.
Mid North Coast – Coffs Coast. - Don White – lifelong environmental advocate, former NCC chair.
- Rob Pallin – lifelong environmental advocate, Paddy Pallin Foundation.
Nature is richer
NCC Organising Director, Ed Mortimer said, ‘Congratulations to all the winners and nominees of the 2026 NSW Environment Awards. We are honoured to celebrate all your hard work in support of our natural world. Nature is richer because of you and people like you.
‘Volunteering your time and energy to the protection of nature is too often a thankless task. People rarely see the true cost of this level of sacrifice. It means late nights reading long documents, attending challenging meetings, and time spent away from family
and friends.
‘May a rich and thriving biodiversity be the richest source of thanks, complimented by recognition from your peers through these awards.’
The Environment Awards MC on the night was presenter, filmmaker and comedian, turned GetUp! CEO, Dan Ilic who was joined by special guest Yael Stone, former Hollywood actor turned climate advocate.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
