Presentation of John Tonkin Greening Awards

30/10/97

Outstanding efforts in Western Australian conservation by individuals, communities and corporations will be recognised by Environment Minister Cheryl Edwardes at the John Tonkin Greening Awards this afternoon.

Mrs Edwardes said that apart from giving finalists the recognition they so richly deserved, the awards played a vital role in encouraging people and organisations throughout the State to work together and build on their revegetation and conservation efforts.

"When it comes to the environment, support from the local community, Government, and corporate sponsors makes a tremendous difference to what can be achieved," she said.

Entries for the 1997 John Tonkin Greening Awards came from individuals and organisations in the Pilbara, the Goldfields, Esperance and the South-West, as well as the metropolitan area.

Finalists will vie for awards in the categories of Community Achievement, Education, Community Awareness, Rural Land Conservation, Public Sector, Private Sector and Bushland Conservation.

"More than just 'greening' WA, these finalists have taken real steps towards restoring nature's balance in our State," Mrs Edwardes said.

"They are helping to preserve our precious biodiversity and to marshal forces against the biggest threat we face - salinity.

"Late last year, the State Government released the Salinity Action Plan, a bold initiative that declares war on the salt that is attacking farmlands, water catchments and communities throughout the southern half of the State. It will be implemented over 30 years at a cost of $3 billion.

"This level of funding and commitment, teamed with the partnership approach being fostered by groups like Greening WA through their network of members, means that the landcare movement in this State is dynamic and well geared to meet the challenges it faces."

Mrs Edwardes paid tribute to the awards' sponsors - Bunnings Forest Products, Hamersley Iron Pty Ltd, the Chamber of Minerals and Energy, the State Minister for Primary Industry, Western Power and the Wildflower Society of Western Australia for their role in supporting the work of Greening Western Australia.

Media contact: Diana Russell-Coote 9421 7777.