Calling all green Geordies; We want you to enter our Environment Aw a r d s...

FOR the third year running, as part of our Go Green campaign, we are looking to reward people who are doing their bit for the environment in the North East.

By showcasing those whose actions are having a positive effect on the environment, we hope to help more of our readers to understand how taking small steps can have a big impact on a global scale.

So if you are a budding eco-warrior whose efforts to help the environment go beyond the norm, or you know of a group, school or individual whose green activities make them eco-champs, enter our awards.

There are five categories to enter in the awards, organised in partnership with our sponsors, Scottish and Southern Energy.

They are Environmental Individual, Sustainable School, Environmental Business or Project, Green Community Group and the Climate Change Award.

We want you to nominate people, groups, schools and businesses who you think deserve to have their efforts recognised and rewarded.

Prizes will be presented by BBC weather presenter Trai Anfield at an awards ceremony, on the afternoon of Thursday February 25, 2010, at Newcastle's Centre for Life.

Each winner will get a trophy in recognition of their achievements.

Sharron Miller-McKenzie from Scottish and Southern said: "We are delighted to be involved with the Chronicle's Environment Awards.

"As the UK's leading generator of renewable energy we understand the importance of a low carbon future and we look forward to seeing the innovative and exciting projects here in the North East."

For our Sustainable School award, sponsored by public transport operator Nexus, we are looking for an educational establishment which has put the environment at the heart of school life.

Last year's winner was King Edward VI secondary school in Morpeth, where students themselves oversee ecoinitiatives, from recycling to gardening, switch-off campaigns and conservation.

Our judges were particularly impressed by pupil Jack Gebhard, a member of the UK Youth Parliament, who became one of the first children in history to speak in the House of Lords on climate change issues.

Our Green Community Group award, sponsored by Climate North East, hopes to reward a meeting of minds which has made a big difference to its community.

Last year the Friends of Brierdene in Whitley Bay were our winners. This group of volunteers had taken on the overgrown and neglected dene and transformed it in to a haven for birds and other wildlife, while also ensuring local people could enjoy it.

We have merged our Environmental Business and Project categories into one award, sponsored by Newcastle City Council.

The winners last year were Recyke Y'Bike, a social enterprise in Byker which refurbishes old bicycles, saving them from landfill and Durham University, where students and staff have joined together to cut energy use and waste, as well as conserving wildlife around the campus.

Our Environmental Individual category looks to reward a green trailblazer whose eco-actions make them top dog.

Last year's winner was firefighter Steve Williams who formed the Friends of Walker Riverside Park and works in his spare time to maintain and improve the area and make it more accessible for local residents.

Since July 2008 Steve and his team of volunteers have picked up litter, thinned trees and cleared overgrown areas, improving public access and safety and creating a better habitat for wildlife in a bid to attract people and animals back to the once-neglected area.

New this year, the Climate Change Award will be sponsored by Sustaine, Sustainability North East, the independent regional champion body for sustainable development in the region.

Our main sponsors Scottish and Southern will select an overall winner from every entry shortlisted in each of our categories. Last year's overall winner was Edmondsley Primary School, where pupils take part in an Environment Club, which runs an allotment to grow veg for the school cook to make into delicious food.

The children have also been learning about renewable energy and how their actions in the local area can have a positive impact on the whole world. For information or to make a nomination go to www.chroniclelive.co.uk/environment awards or www.chroniclelive.co.uk/gogreen. Alternatively contact event manager Jennifer Cook on [phone] or email [e-mail] The closing date is Monday January 11 2010.

CAPTION(S):

POSITIVE EFFECT - Some of our Environment Award winners, from left: Clover Hill Primary School pupils receive their award; Alec Cuthbert, Environmental Individual Award; King Edwards School, Sustainable School Award; Recyke Y'Bike, Environmental Business and Project; Friends of Brierdene, Green Community Group Award.