South Australia’s environment champions have been honoured at the 2023 SA Environment Awards.

The annual awards, held last night on World Environment Day, celebrate South Australians who give their time, expertise and passion to help preserve and sustain the state’s precious natural environment.

Awards are presented in six categories with an additional group of extraordinary South Australians inducted into the SA Environment Hall of Fame with lifetime achievement awards.

The 2023 SA Environment Awards are presented by the Conservation Council in partnership with Green Adelaide, the Department for Environment and Water and the University of Adelaide’s Environment Institute.

The SA Environment Awards have been awarded annually since 1998. For further information about the awards, visit www.saenvironmentawards.org.au

SA Environment Award Winners:

Jill Hudson Award for Environmental Protection – Professor Sarah Wheeler
Green Adelaide’s Pelzer Prize – James Smith
Innovation Award – Dr Mary Retallack
Leif Justham Young Achiever Award – Rhys Abbott
Working Together Award – Kangaroo Island Feral Pig Eradication Scheme
Conservation Science Prize – Dr Anthony Cheshire

Lifetime Achiever Award recipients:

Neville Bonney
Pam Catcheside
Maureen Christie
Jeffrey Newchurch
Enid Robertson (awarded posthumously)

Quotes

Attributable to Minister for Climate, Environment and Water, Susan Close

The State Government congratulates each of the finalists and winners for their achievements and for their efforts in helping to conserve and sustain South Australia’s unique environment.

Through recognising the work of the award recipients, we hope that the community is inspired to follow their lead and contribute towards protecting and preserving our environment.

Attributable to Chief Executive, Conservation Council of South Australia, Craig Wilkins

We activists and conservationists are standing on the shoulders of giants who forged a path for us. Our Lifetime Achiever Award recipients are pioneers, creating the organisations, concepts and approaches we take for granted today.

These inspiring leaders join the SA Environment Hall of Fame, a legendary group of environment champions who have spent their lives working towards a sustainable future for our environment.

Attributable to Green Adelaide Board Presiding Member Chris Daniels

James Smith’s tireless advocacy for wildlife and their habitat, and his role educating and connecting the community with nature over several decades, is truly admirable.

His passion for nature perfectly reflects the essence of the Pelzer Prize.

Attributable to Executive Director, Environment, Heritage and Sustainability, Department for Environment and Water, Cate Hart

Each of the finalists and winners should be exceptionally proud of their achievements.

Through their work they have each contributed towards South Australia having a greener and healthier environment that we can all enjoy.