Credit Valley Conservation is asking the public to name the people and groups doing the most to protect the Credit River watershed, which covers a large part of Mississauga.

The conservation authority said on Jan. 14 that nominations are open for its annual Friends of the Credit Conservation Awards, which reach their 40th year in 2026. Nominations can be submitted on CVC's website until Feb. 20.

This milestone year is a tribute to the passion and dedication of our communities.

— Holly Nadalin, Manager of Community Outreach and Education, Credit Valley Conservation

Who can be nominated

The awards are open to businesses, municipalities, schools, community groups, landowners and individuals. CVC says examples include landowners who restore nature on their property, businesses or governments using green approaches to infrastructure, people who donate land or money to protect land, and young people taking action in their neighbourhoods.

There are eight categories:

  • Youth Achievement

  • Outstanding Volunteer

  • Environmental Awareness

  • Landowner Stewardship

  • Corporate Leadership

  • Green Cities

  • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Leadership

  • Watershed Excellence

CVC's board of directors reviews the nominations and chooses the winners. The program began in 1986.

A Mississauga win last year

The same day, CVC began a five-week series looking back at last year's winners, who were honoured at the Friends of the Credit event in June. The first instalment featured the Green Cities category, which goes to public bodies using leading-edge infrastructure.

One of those winners was the Smart Blue Roof Project team, which included staff from the City of Mississauga and Peel Region, along with Firenza Plumbing and Heating Ltd., Enviro-Stewards Inc. and WSP Canada. CVC describes it as Canada's first smart blue roof built to CSA standards. A blue roof holds rainwater on a flat roof and releases it slowly; CVC says this one can store up to 60,000 litres at a time to help prevent flooding and conserve water.

Other Green Cities winners included the City of Brampton for its Fletchers Creek Sustainable Neighbourhood Action Plan, which CVC says engaged more than 7,500 residents and planted more than 12,000 native trees.

Why it matters locally

The Credit River flows through Mississauga to Lake Ontario at Port Credit. CVC, created by the province in 1954, works to protect, restore and enhance the natural environment of the Credit River watershed.

Residents who know a neighbour, school or local business doing that kind of work can find award descriptions and eligibility rules at cvc.ca/ConservationAwards.