We are honoured to have our progressive water stewardship recognized with numerous awards.

These awards span our many programs and we are grateful to the countless organizations and individuals we’ve partnered with who have made these achievements possible.

Awards & Distinctions

2023 Open Data Quality Award – Canadian Open Data Society

2023 Mitchell Award of Distinction – BC Achievement Foundation

2023 Appreciation Award – North American Lake Management Society

• 2024 – Selected as Featured Partner in 1% for the Planet’s “Freshwater Ecosystems Featured Partner Guide”
• 2024 – Environmental Studies Association of Canada “2024 ESAC Eco Award”
• 2024 – Finalist in Real Estate Foundation of BC “Land Awards”
• 2023 – Canadian Open Data Society “Open Data Quality Award”
• 2023 – Top Finalist in Charity Village Awards “Best Nonprofit Employer – Youth Advancement – Over 20 Staff”
• 2023 – Kootenay Conservation Program “Conservation Leadership Award” (recognizing Kat Hartwig, Founder/Executive Director)
• 2023 – Finalist in the Canadian Museum of Nature “10th annual Nature Inspiration Awards” 
• 2023 – North American Lake Management Society “Advancements in Lake Management Technologies Award”
• 2023 – BC Achievement Foundation “Mitchell Award of Distinction” (recognizing Kat Hartwig, Founder/Executive Director)
• 2023 – BC Achievement Foundation “Community Award”
• 2023 – Finalist in the EcoCanada “ECO Community Impact Awards”
• 2022 – Groundwater Canada “Top Women in Groundwater Award” (recognizing Carol Luttmer, Groundwater Program Field Operations and Data Manager)
• 2022 – Wildsight “Ellen Zimmerman Award” (recognizing Kat Hartwig, Founder/Executive Director)
• 2021 – Knowledge Network “BC Changemaker” (recognizing Kat Hartwig, Founder/Executive Director)
• 2021 – Shortlisted for the “Let’s Talk About Water” International Film Festival grand prize
• 2017 – Water’s Next Awards “Non-Governmental Organization Winner”
• 2017 – Water’s Next Awards “Water Steward of the Year” (recognizing Kat Hartwig, Founder/Executive Director)
• 2015 – Finalist for the Water Canada “Water’s Next Award” (recognizing Heather Leschied, former Operations Director/Co-founder)
• 2015 – World Wildlife Fund’s “Canada’s Water Hero” (recognizing Heather Leschied, former Operations Director/Co-founder)
• 2010 – Real Estate Foundation of BC “Land Awards Winner”
• 2008 – Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency “best practices” example in community-based ecological monitoring