Champion for the Environment Award

Champion of the Environment Award 2023 - Finalists 

The 49th annual Civic & Community Awards finalists will be celebrated on April 24 at the Civic & Community Awards Gala, taking place at the Laurel Packinghouse.

Farming Karma Fruit Company 

With over 30 years of experience, spanning across three generations, the Farming Karma Fruit Company has a goal to find a home for every piece of fruit they grow. From juicing fruit that isn’t quite up to store quality, using fully recyclable packaging, to turning leftover pumice into cattle feed, Farming Karma is constantly looking to improve their processes make them more eco-friendly. Always eager to do more, the family members of the farm host free tours for students, sharing their wealth of knowledge through education about farm practices, the environmental impact of our choices and responsible entrepreneurship. 

Kelowna Yacht Club 

Kelowna Yacht Club was notably the first freshwater marina in the province to achieve a top five-anchor award rating from Clean Marine BC, earned in 2022. In addition to participating in the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association’s Biosphere Commitment Program, KYC has been working with the Don’t-Move-A-Mussel campaign and lake monitoring program since 2014. The club has earned several environmental awards and leads various environmental initiatives including shore clean ups and dock swaps. The club offers free spill kits for boaters and has a long-term dock plan to switch out tire-foam for Poly float floatation devices.  

Tracey Davis 

A founding member of the Okanagan Climate Hub, Tracey Davis promotes environmental awareness and our fight against climate change. As part of OCH, Tracey led advocacy work regarding the expansion of the energy sector and helped encourage a local anti-idling bylaw. She also lobbied for the Zero Carbon Step Code to disallow gas in new builds. Tracey is also a member of the Kelowna Climate Coalition and advocated for air quality monitors, raising awareness of wildfire smoke’s effect. From organizing rallies, marching with youth in “Fridays for Future,” to lobbying for free transit, Tracey also “walks the talk.” 

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Award Criteria

• Awarded to an individual or business whose actions and achievements have shown outstanding environmental leadership or innovative environmental contributions, having a direct benefit on the city of Kelowna.
• Selections are based on environmental contributions for the year 2023.
• Past information and history of environmental contributions may be included, but should primarily be regarding the current award year.
• Selections are based solely on the information in the completed nomination package. 

Nominations for the 49th annual Civic & Community Awards are now closed. Check back in fall 2024 for information about the 50th annual awards nomination period.