Pour le français, cliquez ici.
Ecology Ottawa is thrilled to announce the recipients of our third annual Eco Awards!
Ottawa is unusually blessed with an outstanding natural heritage and individuals dedicated to preserving it. We think it’s critical that those who inspire us to take ecological action in Ottawa be appropriately recognized, and it’s our privilege to do this.
As in prior years, we were overwhelmed by the nominations we received, and choosing among them was a difficult task—but the nine recipients below distinguished themselves particularly.
We sincerely thank all those who submitted thoughtful and generous nominations. We also thank the selection committee, who had the difficult task of sorting through these excellent nominations.
Please congratulate these recipients if you see them! Over the coming weeks, we’ll be giving them certificates at events in their communities in honour of their work; we hope to see you there!
Recipients of Ecology Ottawa’s 2025 Eco Awards
Most Cherished Greenspace Award: The Frank St Bee & Butterfly Garden
“The Frank St Bee & Butterfly Garden is a community of like-minded individuals in the heart of Centretown who have built from the dirt up a thriving pollinator garden haven despite all the challenges of urban gardening. These fine folks educate their neighbours on native plants, pollinators and gardening, host events, make friends, and beautify the neighbourhood. They are a fantastic example of how cramped, concrete urban spaces can still play important roles in fostering community, rebuilding pollinator populations, and connecting people to the land.” - Centretown pollinator enthusiast
Active & Accessible City Award: Derrick Simpson
“Derrick organizes and coordinates the Ottawa Urbanism book club. Each month he coordinates a meeting with guest speakers and thoughtful discussion questions on the books and related topics concerning urbanism, sustainable cities, active transportation, and more. The meetings are always interesting, I always learn something new, and it is a reminder that there are many people in the city who care about building a better city.” - Alison Sidney, Ottawa community member
Climate Champion Award: Rolly Montpellier
“One of the Founders of Seniors for Climate which instigated 76 events across the country last October, more events this April and will do the same next October. Incredible coalition builder! Inspiring, motivating, unstoppable and unflappable…” - Letitia Charbonneau, SCAN (Seniors for Climate Action Now!) Ottawa member
“Rolly has been a climate leader (founder of Below 2 deg) for years. In 2024 he was the key person behind creating a national campaign to engage seniors in climate action.” - Tim Brodhead, Co-founder of Climate Legacy
Nature Champion Award: Barbara Long
“Barbara’s enthusiasm is infectious, which encourages others to consider their own actions and to participate. In this way, not only does Barbara bring ecological benefits to her local community, but she inspires others to follow suit.” - Belinda Boekhoven, Co-Coordinator of Master Gardeners of Ottawa-Carleton
“[Barbara] volunteers her time and expertise to teach hands on with my students - around 50-60 students have participated in activities that build their understanding of gardening and best environmental practices.” - Louisa Battistelli, Grade 5–6 Teacher, Connaught Public School
Refuse-Reduce-Reuse Champion Award: Jennifer Perrier
“For over ten years, she has gone above and beyond in her commitment to environmental education and sustainability within the school community…She diligently applies for Eco Schools certification each year and thoughtfully plans monthly school-wide eco activities that engage and inspire students of all ages.” - Rhonda Bell, Grade 2 teacher, St. Leonard Elementary
“Passionate, driven, and inspiring—Jen has been the heartbeat of our Environment Club this year. From organizing impactful clean-up drives to leading school-wide recycling initiatives, Jen has shown exceptional leadership and commitment to environmental advocacy.” - Krista Giguere, St. Leonard School, B.Ed, OCT
Refuse-Reduce-Reuse Champion Award: Carole Doré
“Carole has been the driving force behind action at the OHRI to make our research more environmentally sustainable. Carole created the OHRI Green Committee to find and implement different strategies to improve the environmental sustainability of the research at OHRI. Carole's efforts and actions have significantly reduced waste and energy use in the laboratories at the OHRI.” - Lauren Kreps, PhD Student, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
“Carole has signed each lab up for MyGreenLab, a green-conscious program directed at lab spaces to reduce energy consumption and waste production, among many other aims. Since its implementation, each lab (9 research groups total) has been certified as a green lab compliant through MyGreenLab—the first 100% compliant research group at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute!…Labs at Health Canada have reached out to Carole to give talks on implementing such green initiatives in their own workspaces and labs. Carole is blazing the trail in green lab spaces in the capital region.” - Brennan Garland, Graduate (PhD) student at the Cancer Research Program at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
Youth Eco Champion Award: Kenzie Whalen
“As coordinator of the Sustainable Development Centre, Kenzie has been showing up for Sustainability for the past 2 years and inspired many students at the University of Ottawa to engage in sustainability efforts.” - Tom Chazelle Schulze, Green rep from the University of Ottawa
“As the Coordinator of the Sustainable Development Centre at the University of Ottawa Students' Union, Kenzie Whalen has played a key role in supporting and enabling sustainability initiatives on campus. She has organized a wide range of events and workshops, provided resources to student groups, and helped foster an inclusive and collaborative environment where students feel empowered to take action on environmental issues.” - Anonymous community member
Youth Eco Champion Award: Kaamil Furtado
“He has done a lot towards our school administration, and trying to make Ottawa greener overall.” - Anonymous community member
Youth Eco Champion Award: Emma D'Amico
“Her leadership in the environmental community, specifically, through her 'Climate Commons' organizing including ‘Noons for Now’ and ‘That Moment is Now’ initiatives this year…” - Dana Jordan, Ottawa community member
