Award details:
Jill Hudson Award for Environmental Protection
Winner: Professor Sarah Wheeler – nominated for efforts to encourage change in national water policy for the benefit of both South Australia and the entire Murray-Darling Basin system.
For more than a decade, Professor Sarah Wheeler has sought to change national water policy for the benefit of South Australia and the entire Murray-Darling Basin system.
Alongside her academic research as Professor of Water Economics at University of Adelaide, Professor Wheeler has engaged extensively on water policy with government and industry.
Of particular focus has been her work advocating for the most effective policy options to return water to rivers within the Basin. Advocating for increased buyback of irrigator entitlements is fraught with conflict, given the popular narrative about the socio-economic impacts of buybacks by major irrigator groups.
Taking such a stance in calling for water policy reform and being critical of politically-motivated water changes – along with the call for continued buyback of water entitlements – has caused conflict with politicians, irrigator lobby groups, and other water organisations.
Despite significant opposition, Professor Wheeler continues to provide top-level scientific expertise on the Murray-Darling Basin alongside her unwavering advocacy for our country’s greatest Rivers.
Finalist
- Elizabeth Penney – nominated in recognition of her longtime dedication to environment, having planted over 40,000 trees and plants in her lifetime
- Alan Young – nominated for exceptional contributions to the Lot 101 revegetation project in Glenelg North, South Australia
Green Adelaide’s Pelzer Prize
Winner: James Smith – nominated for dedicated advocacy of wildlife across the state and for efforts to promote and educate community on wildlife
[caption id="attachment_17330" align="alignright" width="428"]
Prof Philip Weinstein is presented his certificate by Dr Susan Close MP, Deputy Premier Minister for Climate, Environment and Water[/caption]Certificates of commendation:
- Gerry Butler – nominated for work with Landcare and efforts while chairing Butterfly Conservation SA and the Gums Landcare Group.
- Alan Burns – nominated for dedication to supporting wildlife and for championing community open spaces at Glenthorne National Park-Ityamaiitpinna Yarta
- Catherine McMahon – nominated for conservation efforts and advocacy to restore Port Adelaide marine, estuary and coastline ecosystems
- Ann Prescott OAM – nominated for outstanding contribution to South Australian botany and conservation
- Elizabeth Penney – nominated in recognition of her longtime dedication to environment, having planted over 40,000 trees and plants in her lifetime
- Professor Philip Weinstein – nominated for contribution as an internationally renowned researcher to ecology and connecting people to nature.
Innovation Award
Winner: Dr Mary Retallack – nominated for championing ecological restoration in and around production systems, particularly in vineyards through the establishment of the National EcoVineyards Program
Finalists:
- James Smith – nominated for dedicated advocacy of wildlife across the state and for efforts to promote and educate community on wildlife
- TERN Adelaide – nominated for field program which supports other organisations by providing high-quality environmental samples and data, as well as delivering ecological monitoring support and training
Working Together Award
Winner: Kangaroo Island Feral Pig Eradication Scheme – nominated for program to eradicate feral pig population on Kangaroo Island
Finalist:
- Southern Yorke Peninsula Landcare Group – nominated for community effort to support the threatened eastern osprey
- Zoos SA – nominated for contribution towards conservation and efforts to save endangered species from extinction
Leif Justham Young Achiever Award
Winner: Rhys Abbott – nominated for nature conservation and efforts campaigning to protect South Australia’s environment, as well as educating others about climate and nature issues
Finalists
- Alyssa Powell-Ascura – nominated for her environmental advocacy, using her platform as an emerging artist to promote sustainability and reusing materials
- Django Westmoreland – nominated for his conservation efforts, including inspiring others in his community
Conservation Science Prize
[caption id="attachment_17329" align="alignleft" width="306"]
Dr Anthony Cheshire is presented his award by Leah Panakera-Thorpe, Environment Institute Manager[/caption]Winner: Dr Anthony Cheshire – nominated for achievements in conservation science, including contribution to improved management and understanding of marine and coastal habitats.
Throughout a formidable career in conservation science Dr Anthony Cheshire has led a wide range of research projects across the marine sciences.
His work on the development of rapid assessment protocols and technologies to support the investigation of anthropogenic impacts on marine systems includes work on coastal dredging, aquaculture, marine litter and land-based discharges to the marine environment.
Dr Cheshire’s methods have been widely adopted, and are used now both nationally and internationally to support improved management and understanding of marine and coastal habitats.
Finalists
- Dr Jennie Fluin – nominated for contribution and leadership towards the Healthy Coorong, Healthy Basin Trials and Investigation Program
- Dr Dominic McAfee – nominated for research on marine ecosystems and marine restoration
