Sustainability awards

Photo: Darren Handschuh

Venture Training file photo.

The City of Vernon has announced the winners of the 2016 Sustainability Awards for outstanding achievements in sustainable business, community sustainability and youth initiatives.

A long-time Vernon non profit group and one of its workers have been given a joint award for sustainability in business.

Venture Training has been supporting adults with development disabilities with social, educational and vocational skill building since 1955.

Ed Columbus, who recently retired from Venture, has been praised for his passion for environmental stewardship, creating and facilitating numerous recycling programs, and establishing strong community recycling partnerships with local corporations during 27 years of service with Venture Training.

The Allan Brooks Nature Centre has been handed the community sustainability award.

The centre promotes the enjoyment of nature and increasing awareness of habitat conservation through environmental education and nature-related activities in the Okanagan region.

ABNC programs were delivered to approximately 2,800 school-aged children in 2015.

The youth initiatives award has been given to Corbin Kelley who actively volunteers in a variety of sustainability-related initiatives. As a student of the Vernon Community School, Corbin was instrumental in getting the free breakfast program at Clarence Fulton Secondary School up and running. Corbin also volunteered for multiple Earth Day celebrations in Vernon. He volunteers through the MLA’s office and is an active member of the advisory planning committee with the City of Vernon.

A City press release states the recipients contribute to community sustainability through environmental stewardship, economic viability and social inclusiveness.