COQUITLAM, B.C., February 9, 2026 – Do you know someone who’s making Coquitlam greener, cleaner or more sustainable? Nominations are now open for Coquitlam’s 2026 Environmental Achievement Awards, recognizing the people and organizations whose commitment to environmental initiatives is strengthening our community.

The biennial event recognizes volunteers, educators, youth, children and organizations who steward Coquitlam’s natural environment. Nominations are open until Friday, March 13. Details on the categories, criteria, list of previous winners and the online nomination form is available at coquitlam.ca/EnviroAwards. 

Award Categories

You can nominate yourself or others in the following categories:

• Green Sprout: ages 3-12
• Individual: ages 13-18 
• Individual: 19 and over
• Teacher or Educator
• Youth Group: School or Club
• Adult Group: Organization, Service Club, Not-for-profit
• Lifetime Achievement: 20 years or more of volunteer experience

Nominees do not need to be Coquitlam residents. However, their activities or projects must take place in Coquitlam or directly benefit the community. 

Nominations are encouraged for youth and children taking initiative in their community or neighbourhood, newcomers or individuals who have recently completed a project, volunteers who work behind the scenes, as well as community members who have dedicated their time and expertise to environmental stewardship for 20 or more years.

Eligibility Criteria 

Nominations are accepted for work that supports any of the following:

• Environmental stewardship, such as invasive species removal, watershed/stream enhancement, wildlife conservation, habitat improvement and environmental restoration
• Environmental education/public awareness, such as delivering educational programs, conducting public outreach, or leading public or school-based green clubs
• Environmental sustainability, such as waste reduction and recycling, climate action, water conservation, food security/gardening and sustainable transportation
• Environmental responsibility, such as street, park or stream clean-up and storm drain marking

Nominations are evaluated based on the scope of the project or commitment, initiative and leadership, reach of the work, and its lasting impact over time. 

Celebrating Community Impact

Since 2004, the Environmental Achievement Awards have recognized more than 60 groups and hundreds of volunteers who have taken on initiatives year-round that support environmental sustainability. Past recipients have been recognized for initiatives such as shoreline and litter cleanups, salmon habitat restoration, adopt-a-stream activities, storm drain marking, public outreach and education, guided public hikes, invasive plant removal, stewardship activities and more.

Submit a Nomination 

Visit coquitlam.ca/EnviroAwards to complete the online nomination form.

Supporting documents such as photos, newsletter articles, video clips, social media posts and letters of support strengthen a nomination and can be emailed to: EnvironmentalEducation@coquitlam.ca or mailed or dropped off at: Coquitlam City Hall, Reception, 3000 Guildford Way, Coquitlam, BC, V3B 7N2, Attention: 2026 Environmental Achievement Awards.

The deadline for nominations is Friday, March 13, 2026.

Coquitlam’s Environmental Sustainability Plan

Coquitlam finalized an Environmental Sustainability Plan in January 2022 that guides decisions and ensures the long-term resiliency and sustainability of the community. The Environmental Sustainability Plan is organized into five themes: Climate Action, Built Environment, Waste Management, Water Management, and Natural Areas, Wildlife and Habitat. The implementation plan includes a final list of 135 actions along with a list of priorities.

Media contact:

Caresse Selk
Senior Manager, Environment                
604-927-3500
epw@coquitlam.ca 

We acknowledge with gratitude and respect that the name Coquitlam was derived from the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ (HUN-kuh-MEE-num) word kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (kwee-KWET-lum) meaning “Red Fish Up the River”. The City is honoured to be located on the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm traditional and ancestral lands, including those parts that were historically shared with the q̓ic̓əy̓ (kat-zee), and other Coast Salish Peoples.