Many people and organizations in Langley care about the environment, and are doing something to preserve it. That message came through loud and clear in the raft of nominations for the 2012 Langley Environmental Hero awards.
The winners were announced Saturday at Fort Langley National Historic Park, where they participated in the planting of a tree to help replenish the Fort’s historic orchard.
Individual winner was Natal Cicuto, who is a volunteer with Yorkson Water Stewardship Committee. He has worked closely with the developers and contractors of a massive development on 80 Avenue in Willoughby to preserve the quality of Yorkson Creek. Gemco, B and B Contracting and McElhanney were named runner-up in the business and organization category, for their sensitive work on the development.
Individual runner-up was Mike Pearson, who has championed protection of two endangered fish species, the Nooksack Dace and Salish Sucker, both of which live in Langley streams.
Also nominated in the individual category were Susan Davidson, Cathy MacKay, Gary Jones, Magnus Lundh, and Annabel and Rhys Griffiths.
Business and organizational winner was Heather Jenkins of 1 Fish, 2 Fish in Langley City, who has championed wild fish stocks and also supports Nicomekl Enhancement Society. Also nominated were the Arboretum and Botanical Society of Langley, Alternatives Funeral and Cremation Services, Canadian Project for Manners and Civility, Coast Spas, ASAP Meter Ink, Cal Jeske and SCCanada Ltd., Jason Rite and Nitrolube Canada, and Princess and The Pea B&B.
Bob Puls, who has been involved in numerous Langley conservation efforts and is president of Langley Field Naturalists, was given a lifetime achievement award. He has been actively promoting environmental causes in Langley for more than 30 years.
Youth winner was Deven Azevedo, who began a composting program at Langley Fine Arts School. Honourable mention went to Maddie Millsip of Nicomekl Enhancement Society. Also nominated was the Langley Christian Middle Scjool outdoor education program, directed by Bruce Wergeland.