Canon Australia Environmental Grants assist groups working on important environmental projects all over Australia. Canon awards the winners with Canon products of their choice to the value of AU$5000 based on the environmental merits of their projects and the importance of digital imaging technology in achieving their objectives. A wide range of Canon equipment is provided as prizes including digital still cameras, digital video cameras, network video cameras and digital SLRs to interchangeable camera lenses, binoculars and underwater housings.

Previous Winners

The 2011 Canon Australia Environmental Grant winners were:

This year’s awards cover four different categories – National, Regional, Grassroots and Youth. The 2011 Canon Environmental Grant winners are:

National Award
This accolade recognises projects of national significance and impact, and was awarded to the Total Environment Centre (TEC) in Sydney, NSW. TEC are working on a project which will enable them to reduce temperature levels in streets and adjoining buildings using pop-up median strips – created from modular, off-the-shelf materials. The team are creating a video to document their progress, which they plan to distribute on a national level.

Regional Award
Recognising environmental projects based in regional areas and with a regional impact, this year’s prize went to two organisations - Conservation Volunteers (NT/WA) and the Small Farms Network (NSW). The Conservation Volunteer team are currently running a program to monitor the nesting activities of the little-known and vulnerable Flatback Sea Turtle at Eco Beach in Western Australia. While the Small Farms Network provides a web-based support network to landcare members across regional NSW – encouraging them to share knowledge and stories to create a sustainable, productive and biologically diverse environment.

Grassroots Award
The Grassroots awards acknowledges the efforts of community groups working on a shoe-string budget, with an income of $25,000 or less. The 2011 winner is the Wappaburra Land Trust in Queensland – who is currently running a project to document the unique flora, fauna and cultural sites of the Keppel Islands. These images will be used to promote a wider understanding of the Wappaburra culture as well as assist with the development of a ‘Traditional Use of Marine Resources Agreement’ for the area.

Youth Award
This award honours individuals under 25 years of age, working on worthy environmental projects. The 2011 winner is Stephen Fujiwara from the University of Technology, Sydney. Stephen’s project involves photographing tree rings from Australian native and introduced species, to determine which species provide suitable ‘indicators’ of water requirements in forests. It will also help examine eco-system growth in response to climatic events.

The 2010 Canon Australia Environmental Grant winners were:

• Royal Zoological Society of SA (RZSSA)
  The RZSSA is involved in a variety conservation activities, including the coordination of a threatened species program, management of a captive breeding initiative for the release of animals into the wild, as well as field support and educational programs.
  
• Reef Life Survey
  This marine conservation program collects biodiversity information from reefs across Australia and the Indo-Pacific area. It trains volunteers and provides financial and logistical support to enable the collection of data, which is used to address conservation management issues.
• South East Queensland (SEQ) Catchment
  SEQ Catchment is a unique community-owned business focused on the improving the natural resources and environment of South East Queensland. They take a leading role in resource management planning, addressing environmental issues, community engagement and environmental advice services, as well as stakeholder partnerships.
• Alternative Technology Association (ATA)
  ATA is the leading independent organisation promoting sustainable solutions for households. They provide independent, practical advice on how to make homes cheaper to run, more comfortable to live in and environmentally-friendly.
• Rainforest Rescue
  This non-profit organisation is dedicated to saving high conservation value rainforests by purchasing, restoring and protecting critical areas with funds raised from individuals, philanthropists, corporate supporters and philanthropic trusts.

The 2009 Canon Australia Environmental Grant winners were:

• Spot a Shark (NSW) - identifies and tracks the migratory patterns of Grey Nurse Sharks and educates the public to assist with the conservation of these endangered creatures.
  

• Centre for Sustainability Leadership (VIC) – empowers young people to make their communities more sustainable through various projects including an Online Future Sustainability Leaders program.
• SEQ Healthy Waterways Partnership (QLD) - collaboration between governments, industries, research organisations and community groups aiming to improve the health of waterways in South East Queensland.
• Wetland Habitat Trust Paiwalla (SA) – aims to restore the Lower Murray wetland at Paiwalla to its former character by monitoring and controlling the feral population of introduced species.
• Baldivis Children’s Forest Inc. (WA) - provides educational opportunities for children and the wider community which promote biodiversity, conservation, sustainability, and Aboriginal cultural values and perspectives at Baldivis Children's Forest.