The votes have been tabulated, and Green Communities Canada (GCC) is pleased to announce the 2026 Green Community Award winners!
The Green Community Awards celebrate excellence in the GCC national network and were presented June 25 at GCC’s Annual Members’ Meeting.
“The Green Community Awards recognize the achievements of our members and our teams. We also do this to celebrate our collective impact across the country,” explained Brianna Salmon, executive director of Green Communities Canada.
“Green Communities Canada supports locally-based work in communities across the country. Together, we represent over 75 per cent of Canada’s population. We are addressing Canada’s climate and equity goals, and we’re doing that in a way that builds lasting relationships and change from within our communities. It is truly inspiring to be connected with these organizations and to celebrate the teams and individuals leading this work.”
The Green Community Awards are based on nominations received from within the Green Communities Canada network.
The 2026 Green Community Award winners are:
Outstanding Staff Person
Winner: Akira Ourique (Green Venture)
Awarded to a staff person who has demonstrated the strongest commitment to a Green Community, bringing about positive change and impact to the organization through their work and achievements.
Outstanding Board Person
Winner: Michelle Watson (REEP Green Solutions)
Awarded to a board member who has demonstrated the strongest commitment this year, providing excellent stewardship to the organization through their work and achievements.
Outstanding Youth Activist
Winner: Juan Gomez (EnviroCentre)
Awarded to an individual under 30 in our Green Communities who demonstrates, through work and achievements, promising contributions to improving the environment and/or climate action in their community.
Environmental Lifetime Achievement Award
Winner: Dr. Heather Addy (Calgary Climate Hub)
Awarded to an individual in our Green Communities who demonstrates, through work and achievements, a lifetime contribution to improving the environment and/or climate action in their community, and mentoring the next generation of change-makers.
Most Innovative Program
Winner: Hope Blooms for their Green Labs program
Awarded to the organization that has developed a new program or delivery model that has had a significant impact in their community and has the potential for impact across the country.
Green Community Member of the Year
Winner: Hope Blooms
Awarded to an organization that demonstrates innovation in programming, partnerships, and marketing, and successful local community or broader transformation.
Congratulations to this year’s winners! Winners receive a certificate and the most sustainable bragging rights.
About Green Communities Canada:
Green Communities Canada (GCC) is a national non-profit that has been leading community-based climate action since 1995. The organization shares resources and co-creates programming with over 100 member and partner organizations across the country to ensure transformative and equitable climate action. As a national non-profit charity, GCC’s goal is to support and sustain grassroots community-based action. GCC does this by acting as a network, funder, backbone, and accelerator. For decades, Green Communities Canada has been a national leader in community-based sustainable mobility, green infrastructure, and home energy programming.
Learn more at greencommunitiescanada.org