Environmental projects encouraged to nominate

PARKS Victoria has used World Environment Day to encourage community members who are undertaking projects that are dedicated towards improving the environment and human wellbeing in regional and rural areas to nominate for the Victorian Regional Achievement and Community Awards.

Launched in 2002, the awards are designed to encourage, acknowledge and reward the valuable contributions that individuals, communities and businesses make throughout Victoria.

Applicants for the Parks Victoria Environmental Sustainability Award should highlight how their project or initiative contributes to the preservation of the environment and in turn improves the health and wellbeing of local communities.

The successful recipient will be able to describe how the project or initiative is educating or changing community behaviour, particularly regarding cobenefitting nature and human health.

“Victoria’s parks and waterways protect more than 4,300 native plants and around 1,000 native animal species and the habitats they live in,” Parks Victoria chief executive officer Matthew Jackson said.

“They also offer communities the opportunity to get active in nature whether walking, picnicking, bike riding, boating, bird-watching or camping.

“A growing body of research tells us that time spent in nature improves people’s health, reduces stress and promotes physical wellbeing.

“With more people benefiting from a daily dose of nature in parks, Parks Victoria aims to ensure our valued parks, and the natural assets and cultural heritage they hold, can be enjoyed now and by future generations and is supportive of community projects and initiatives that also work towards this goal.”

The full list of award categories, information on how to apply and prize details is available at awardsaustralia.com/vicraca. Nominations close on July 3.