Craven District Council has launched the regional Green Apple Awards 2020, to recognise, reward and promote environmental achievements across the district.  

The council is looking for companies, organisations, communities or individuals who are helping the environment.

Bronze, silver and gold winners will get a Green Apple Award accreditation and winning entries will go forward to the International Green Apple Awards programme.

The Craven awards were launched for the first time last year and a number of local winners went on to receive international awards, including Keelham Farm Shop, which was named the overall retail champion.

Councillor Paul Whitaker, chairman of Craven District Council, said: “We were delighted with the success of these awards last year and we’re pleased to be launching them again to highlight the fantastic environmentally-friendly work going on around our district.

“We’re looking for organisations or individuals who are leading the way in terms of environmental best practice – that could be anything from carbon reduction to conservation and wildlife projects, lighting efficiency, business travel plans, energy saving, waste management or water efficiency.

“We’re also really pleased that through these awards, we can support the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust as they raise funds to create even more beautiful woodlands throughout the district.”

The council will make a donation on behalf of the winners to the Dales Woodland Restoration Programme, run by the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust (YDMT).

YDMT has worked with landowners and partners including Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, Forestry Commission and Woodland Trust to plant around 1.5 million new trees, creating hundreds of new woodlands. The charity also works with disadvantaged groups such as young carers, homeless people, refugees and asylum seekers, to give them access to the Yorkshire Dales.

Michael Devlin, YDMT Development Manager, said: “We’re really pleased to be part of these fantastic awards and the projects they showcase that can make a real difference to our environment.

“The support we will receive through the Green Apple Awards will help us continue our Together for Trees programme which aims to plant 100,000 trees in the Dales over the next two years. Trees are vital to so many aspects of life. As well as providing habitats for wildlife, reducing flooding and helping to combat climate change, we know that trees help to reduce stress and anxiety and promote a healthier lifestyle.”

The Craven awards scheme is being supported by The Green Organisation, which runs the International Green Apple Awards.

Green Organisation director Mark Wolens, who will be a judge for the Craven awards, said: “The quality of the projects I saw from the inaugural Craven awards scheme was outstanding. It highlighted some truly innovative sustainability initiatives and many of the local winners went on to beat big-budget multinational companies in the international awards. I am very excited to be involved again this year and wish the best of luck to all entrants.”

For more information and to enter the awards, please go to www.cravendc.gov.uk/green-awards

Entries opened on January 7, 2020, and the closing date is March 4, 2020. Winners will be announced in the week beginning April 1, 2020.

To support the YDMT visit www.ydmt.org/together-for-trees or call 015242 51002.