Environmental Awards

Maria Preoteasa has dedicated over a decade to environmental sustainability and stewardship, making a significant impact both locally in Burnaby and beyond. Her journey began in 2014 with the Burnaby Lake Park Association, where she actively participated in habitat restoration projects alongside Metro Vancouver Regional Parks, promoting biodiversity and fostering public engagement in environmental management. 

During her undergraduate studies at Simon Fraser University (SFU), Maria excelled as President of the Bachelor of Environment Student Union. She led initiatives in environmental advocacy and policy development, launched the Indigenizing Curriculum Committee, and pioneered the Food Forest Outdoor Learning Space project.

Inspired by Indigenous practices, Maria envisioned and brought to life the Food Forest Outdoor Learning Space at SFU. This capstone project involved vegetation mapping to track ecosystem health, enhance biodiversity, and maintaining an index of plant species. The Food Forest became a hub for various activities including tree planting, eco-art workshops, and a venue for the SFU Archeology 200 course, “Indigenous Ways of Knowing and Being on the Land.” This initiative not only enriches the educational experience but also serves as a model for Burnaby's Food Systems Strategy, contributing to urban agriculture and food security efforts.

Maria's passion for food forests led her to join the board of the Vancouver Urban Food Forest Foundation, where she continues to support urban rewilding and food security projects. Her work in developing urban permaculture strategies and increasing public awareness of food forests as climate-adaptive solutions is an inspiration to the community.

Maria Preoteasa's contributions exemplify the profound impact one individual can have on environmental stewardship, promoting a sustainable and resilient future for generations to come.

A shining example of environmental stewardship and innovation, this project aims to restore and enhance the natural habitat of Guichon Creek. In 2023, when a localized sink hole began to appear on campus, the Campus Planning and Facilities team made the important decision to pursue daylighting a portion of Guichon Creek on BCIT, rather than re-culvert it. It was an incredible opportunity to improve fish passage. A specially designed fish ladder now helps salmon navigate a 15-foot elevation change that previously blocked access to upper spawning gravel beds. This enhancement not only supports the salmon population but also contributes to the overall health of the ecosystem.

This daylit section of Guichon creek is one step of a future campus plan to daylight as much of the creek as possible to restore a critical salmon habitat while replacing aging infrastructure. It stands as a model for sustainable development and demonstrates how collaborative action and innovative planning can lead to significant environmental benefits, ensuring a resilient and thriving ecosystem for future generations.

Since the early 1990s, BCIT has partnered with the City of Burnaby, the Ministry of Environment, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and community groups such as the Guichon Creek Working Group to restore Guichon Creek. Faculty, staff, and students from the School of Construction and the Environment have been instrumental in these efforts, conducting applied research and hands-on restoration activities.
 

This initiative is a shared-accountability framework guiding the implementation of the 2022-2025 Strategic Sustainability and Climate Action Plan. This framework ensures that executives and senior leadership are not only held accountable for implementing climate action objectives but are actively supported by the SFU Central Sustainability and Climate Office, communications representatives, and SFU community members.

This framework, approved in 2022, has been successful in achieving participation from executives and senior leadership and implementing actions identified in the Sustainability and Climate Action Plan.
 

Aruna is a founding member of the CHFPS where she served as secretary for four years before assuming co-leadership of the board in 2019. Aruna thrives on working with people from all backgrounds and has been instrumental in fostering cooperative relationships with the community, City of Burnaby staff, and City Councillors to raise awareness about the Cariboo Heights forest and its conservation significance.

Aruna dedicates countless hours each year to ensure the Society's success. She creates beautiful graphic art to promote events and boost community awareness of the Society's stewardship efforts. Aruna represents the Society at various community events, including Burnaby Blooms, Environment Week, and World Rivers Day. She also supports grant applications and stewardship projects, such as the restoration of the Millview Park site to make it a beautiful and welcoming entrance to the Cariboo Heights Forest. On top of all of this, she also leads nature walks to educate the public about native plants and the threats posed by invasive species. Aruna envisions the Cariboo Heights forest as a protected, thriving ecosystem for future generations to enjoy and appreciate.

Janice McAndrew has been an invaluable member of the Stoney Creek Environment Committee for almost five years, serving as Recording Secretary and meeting organizer. Her dedication to monitoring water quality and salmon populations at Stoney Creek helps the committee understand the local ecosystem. For the past three years, Janice has organized the annual Streamkeeper Roundtable, bringing together stream keepers, government staff and other environmental groups to discuss salmon conservation. This year, she helped organize the Great Salmon Send-off event bycoordinating exhibitors and equipment rentals.

Janice’s diligent water quality monitoring and her creation of a database help track environmental incidents and inform community conservation efforts. Her work helps maintain a healthy ecosystem at Stoney Creek, and benefits both wildlife and local residents.

The BCIT Library staff team go above and beyond to bring sustainability to the forefront through regular and numerous in-person and online offerings and initiatives including: 

• Climate Action Week
• Sustainability-themed “Food for Thought” events
• The BCIT Seed Library
• National Sweater Day
• Sustainability film festival events; and
• Science Literacy Week

These events provide students and staff with an opportunity to increase their awareness of environmental issues, engage with peers and experts and learn how they can contribute towards climate action.  
 

Vivienne and Alexandra are twin sisters and Grade 11 students at Burnaby Mountain Secondary School. They joined the school’s Earthwise Club in grade 8 and have been co-leading the club since grade 10. The Earthwise club collaborates with SFU’s Faculty of Environment Bridging Environments Program, where a SFU student works with high school clubs to start and implement a sustainable or environmental project of their choice in their school and community. As part of this partnership with the Earthwise Club, Vivienne and Alexandra aim to raise awareness and reduce single use plastics being used at their school cafeteria. With a budding interest in environmental stewardship, these sisters are looking ahead to future educational opportunities and careers in environmental sustainability.