On October 11th the POLIS Water Sustainability Project was awarded the 2018 Land Award in the Fresh Water and Food Systems category.
“It’s such an honour to even be considered among so many excellent projects and a vibrant community of change-makers,” said Oliver M. Brandes, Project Lead at the POLIS Water Sustainability Project, who accepted the award on behalf of the team at the Land Awards Gala in Vancouver. “Events like this are so critical. They give us a glimpse into the many creative and impressive projects that are making real change and searching for solutions for our communities.”
The Real Estate Foundation of British Columbia (REFBC) has a strong mandate to transform land and water use attitudes and practices, and created the Land Awards in 2010 to celebrate innovation, leadership, and collaboration. The awards celebrate excellence in sustainable land use and recognize outstanding projects and standout leaders who work to build healthy, resilient communities and natural environments.
The POLIS team is honoured to be recognized alongside the other finalists in the Fresh Water and Food Systems category: FarmFolk CityFolk’s Young Agrarians Land Matching Program and the Southwest BC Food System Design Project at Kwantlen Polytechnic University.
The POLIS team offers sincere thanks to REFBC; to all those individuals, current and past, who have worked at the POLIS Water Sustainability Project; and, most importantly, to the numerous partners it works with, who are all working hard to protect our water. These partners come from communities and civil society, Indigenous nations and governments, organizations supporting stewardship, experts and academic researchers, industry practitioners, and Crown governments at all levels.
“These are the heroes we should all be celebrating,” said Oliver. “Hope comes from action—and creativity, solutions, and opportunities are everywhere. When we look, we see many lights of caring and passion burning and illuminating a meaningful path forward. These awards give us an opportunity—and give us permission—to believe in a better tomorrow. On behalf of the entire POLIS Water Sustainability Project team, I thank you for this recognition. ”
