Nominate an Environmental Hero

Kawartha Lakes – Environmental Heroes live right here in Kawartha Lakes. Whether they're planting pollinator gardens, restoring natural spaces, reducing waste, protecting wildlife, or inspiring others to act, now is the time to recognize their efforts.  

The Kawartha Lakes Environmental Advisory Committee (KLEAC) is looking for nominations for the 2025 Environmental Hero Awards, which recognize local individuals, businesses and youth who are making Kawartha Lakes a greener, healthier place to live. 

If you know someone whose actions are helping protect the environment, nominate them and help celebrate their contributions. Award recipients will receive recognition from the Mayor and have their projects featured during a KLEAC presentation to Council. 

Applications are now open online and will close on June 30, 2026. 

To be nominated for an award, the nominee must fit the following criteria: 

Environmental Hero 

• A resident(s) of Kawartha Lakes; 
• Worked to address an environmental issue in 2025; and,
• Acting to influence change for the benefit of the environment without any expectation of reward. 

Environmental Business Hero 

• A business from Kawartha Lakes that worked to address an environmental issue in 2025;
• Making an outstanding environmental contribution within Kawartha Lakes;
• Acting successfully to influence change for the benefit of the environment without any expectation of reward; and,
• To accept the award, the recipient must reside in Kawartha Lakes.

Environmental Student Hero 

• A student or group of students who have participated in a project that demonstrates a commitment to improve or change the environment;
• Applicants must be students and residents in Kawartha Lakes, including Kindergarten to Grade 12 and post-secondary students; 
• Applicants must submit project documentation, including photographs and records of progress; and, 
• The project must be completed during the 2025 or 2026 school years. 

Bee a Hero Garden Challenge  

• Pollinators like bees are disappearing, but you can help! Plant a garden or container that provides food and shelter for bees. Take a ‘before’ and ‘after’ picture and submit it before applications close on June 30. Learn more on the Bee City page on our website. 

Nominate someone or find more details about the awards on the Environment page on our website. Questions can also be sent to ckleac@kawarthalakes.ca.