Now I’m not so sure if I should be depressed or excited, because it seems a little late in the game for Canada to be having their first national environmental youth awards and it’s the maker of a detergent who’s really running the competition. But I guess it’s better late than never, and respected environmental groups like the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society and the World Wildlife Fund Canada have agreed to act as judges.

Essentially, kids between the ages of 6 and 12 are asked to submit a letter outlining their contributions to helping protect the planet. The winners in three different age groups (6-7 years, 8-9 years and 10-12 years) will receive the title of ultimate Eco-Action Kid and, according to the press release, “join a community of young people investing their time and energy to protect the earth,” which sounds a lot like “and a handshake” to me…

But each winner will also receive $1,000 to donate to the environmental charity of their choice and a $1,000 cash award. And there’s always the feeling of satisfaction that comes from winning anything. Especially when you know it’s for doing the right thing.

The entry deadline is January 21, 2008, and the judges will select finalists
from six regions across the country by February 7, 2008. National winners will
be announced March 27, 2008.

If you’re doing great things, I say go for it.

See also: The Going Green Challenge, Lexus Environmental Challenge, Imagining Tomorrow: Alternate Energy Futures,

via:: Press Release

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• Acronym Alert: AWWI, The American Wind Wildlife Institute
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