Men of the Trees wins 2007 WA Environment award

The Carbon Neutral program run by community organisation Men of the Trees has won the 2007 WA Environment award at a showcase honouring individuals, community groups and businesses who have shown outstanding achievement in protecting the environment.

The full text of an announcement from Environment Minister David Templeman's office is pasted below

Outstanding achievement in offsetting Western Australia's greenhouse gas emissions has earned Men of the Trees, top prize in the 2007 WA Environment Awards for its Carbon Neutral program.

The awards were held in Perth last night to honour individuals, community groups and businesses who have shown outstanding achievement in protecting the WA environment.

In addition to winning the overall 2007 WA Environment Award, Men of the Trees/Carbon Neutral received two other awards in the Community Achievement - Group section, as well as the Act Now award, which was chosen by Environment Minister David Templeman.

Mr Templeman said at least 150,000 tonnes of CO2 greenhouse gas would be removed over a 70-year period through Carbon Neutral's innovative tree planting program, which was the equivalent to taking around 37,500 cars off the road.

"Men of the Trees has made great inroads in educating the community about the effect motor vehicles, air travel and energy consumption have on the environment," he said.

"They have helped the community and industry take responsibility for the effect of greenhouse gas emissions by offering the opportunity to offset the carbon dioxide produced by their daily activities through revegetation.

"Since 2001, more than 875,000 native trees at 40 different sites have been planted through the Carbon Neutral program. About 80 per cent of the trees planted have survived and are now providing protection from soil erosion, helping combat salinity, restoring biodiversity and providing habitat for native fauna."

The Minister said a new award had been created this year to specifically recognise outstanding achievement in the fight against climate change.

"Climate change is a global issue that requires urgent attention," he said.

"The Act Now award is designed to acknowledge individuals and organisations who step up and lead the way towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

"Carbon Neutral demonstrated a high level of dedication towards tackling climate change and I believe they are extremely worthy recipients of the inaugural prize."

Mr Templeman said Bedfordale gardener Carolyn Lagrange was selected as the overall winner for the Individual Environment award for her project, 'A Garden Path'.

"Ms Lagrange's has creatively transformed her 1.7 hectare property into a functional environmental education facility," he said.

"She uses innovative techniques, including specialised water-absorbing mulches and water-conserving micro-climates that eliminate the need for rotational cropping, foliar feeds, extensive watering or intrusive pest and disease control.

"Through careful garden design, plant selection and management, Ms Lagrange achieves high levels of water conservation while maintaining a productive garden with no negative environmental impact.

"She shares her personal experiences with hundreds of visitors each year, many of whom go on to establish their own organic and environmentally friendly gardens."

The 2007 WA Environment Awards attracted 69 entrants from business, government and community projects throughout WA.

Mr Templeman commended the dedication of all entrants on developing outstanding projects that have helped to protect and restore the environment.

For the overall award, Men of the Trees/Carbon Neutral was selected from 22 finalists across 12 award categories.

Other category winners include:

• Corporate Business Leading by Example: Belmont Forum Shopping Centre - Earthbeat;
• Government Leading by Example: City of Joondalup - Cities for Climate Protection Program;
• Small Business Leading by Example: Amcor Recycling WA - Recycle @ Work (Canning Vale);
• Biodiversity Conservation: No award. Yelverton Brook Eco Spa Retreat 'highly commended';
• Bush, Land and Waterways: Friends of Piesse Brook Inc - Piesse Brook Rehabilitation and Restoration Project;
• Coastal, Marine and Estuarine: Rottnest Island Authority;
• Resource and Waste Management: Midland Brick - Reuse, Recycle, Rebuild;
• Air Quality: No award. Worsley Alumina 'highly commended';
• Energy Efficiency: City of Joondalup, Eco Business Program;
• Littering and Illegal Dumping Prevention: Michael Filby;
• Community Achievement - Individual: Carolyn Lagrange - A Garden Path (Bedfordale); and
• Community Achievement - Group: Men of the Trees - Carbon Neutral (Hazelmere, East Perth, Mandurah, Rockingham).