Living City Awards

Ponnie Matin, Education & Awareness, Zero Waste, Urban Agriculture

Ponnie Matin is a dedicated educator and community leader who fosters environmental sustainability through upcycling, mending and seed saving. She founded The Craft Pod, a free seed and craft library that serves as a community hub for resource sharing, creativity and hands-on learning. Through workshops and open access to seeds, craft materials and educational tools, Ms. Matin empowers individuals to extend the life of materials, reduce waste and adopt more sustainable lifestyles. Her work makes environmental practices accessible to people from diverse backgrounds and creates lasting, positive change within the community.

Mark Howard, Environmental Protection & Enhancement, Education & Awareness

Mark Howard, President of the North Shore Community Garden Society, is a passionate advocate for sustainable and organic community gardening. Through his leadership, he has helped expand access to community garden plots, enabling more residents to grow food and connect with nature. Mr. Howard also initiated innovative projects such as Pollinator Paradise, a series of pollinator gardens, and the introduction of solitary bees into garden spaces. These initiatives enhance local ecosystems, support biodiversity and raise community awareness about the vital role of pollinators.

Ocean Ambassadors Canada, Education & Awareness

Ocean Ambassadors Canada has demonstrated leadership in advancing zero-waste practices through direct collaboration with more than 75 local businesses. Their zero-waste coaching and 13 lunch-and-learn sessions empower employees with practical sustainability knowledge while fostering a culture of environmental responsibility. The organization also engages the broader community through educational outreach at local events, including multiple activations at The Shipyards. By working closely with event organizers, Ocean Ambassadors Canada helps embed sustainability into event planning, reducing waste and inspiring lasting behaviour change.

Katie Kenny, Urban Agriculture Education and Awareness

Katie, a teacher at École Larson Elementary School, integrates sustainable food systems into the curriculum, fostering awareness of urban agriculture. Her grade 4/5 class manages a composting program, learns about decomposers through vermicomposting, revitalized a garden using community-donated soil, and grows seedlings indoors. Ms. Kenny’s students actively improve recycling and composting practices and advocate for sustainability, embodying leadership that inspires the next generation of environmental stewards.

Carloynne Robertson, Environmental Protection, Enhancement, Education & Awareness

Carolynne, Vice President of the North Shore Streamkeepers (NSSK), has tirelessly advocated for local waterways, especially Wagg Creek. She leads "Work Crew Mondays" to remove invasive plants and fosters community involvement through education and collaboration. For over two years of water quality monitoring, Carolynne facilitated a partnership to restore the stormwater outfall at West 22nd Street, enhancing the riparian zone with native plants for better ecological function. Her initiatives, including a walking education program for local residents, have connected the community to Wagg Creek Park and inspired efforts like a rain garden project at North Shore Alliance Church. 

Queen Mary Community Elementary School, Urban Agriculture, and Education and Awareness

Queen Mary Community Elementary integrates sustainable food education into its culture and curriculum, focusing on environmental stewardship and Indigenous knowledge. Initiatives like the Herbalist Club teach students about native plants and traditional uses, fostering hands-on learning and a deeper connection with the environment.

Sam Starr, Sustainable Transportation

Sam Starr promotes sustainable urban freight and cycle logistics, working with companies to shift last-mile deliveries from motor vehicles to bikes. He helped organize the 2021 North Shore Cargo Bike Festival, showcasing the potential of cargo bikes in reducing emissions.

Tom Riessner, Zero Waste

Tom Riessner, a long-time advocate for waste reduction, founded Urban Repurpose, a nonprofit promoting reuse and upcycling. Through education and outreach, Tom encourages the repurposing of materials, giving away items to the public and promoting circular economy principles.

Gabe Sentlinger, Environmental Protection and Enhancement, and Water Conservation

Gabe Sentlinger, founder of Fathom Scientific, focuses on hydrology and environmental monitoring. His company develops tools for measuring stream flow, supporting environmental health. Gabe has contributed significantly to water conservation efforts locally and globally through innovative technology and public engagement.

Note: due to the impact of COVID-19, no awards were given in 2020.

David Hancock, David Hancock Foundation

David Hancock founded the David Hancock Foundation in 2006 to promote wildlife conservation through science and education. In 2020, he helped relocate a bald eagle nest near the Spirit Trail to accommodate development, partnering with local organizations and successfully guiding the eagles' return to a new nest.

Paul Berlinguette, North Shore Wetland Partners Society

This nomination is in memory of Paul Berlinguette who ran the North Shore Wetlands Partner Society with his partner Fiona Wright. Paul established the North Shore Wetlands Partner Society in 2004, an organization self-described as, “a small group of dedicated volunteers networking with as many stakeholders as they can to educate about, protect, enhance and restore north shore wetland ecosystems, from estuaries to mountain tarns.” His passion will be remembered by many and his impact on our community will not be forgotten.

Annette Kim, Bean Around the World (5th & Chesterfield)

Annette Kim's coffee shop, Bean Around the World, implemented a range of zero waste initiatives in 2020, reducing waste by 95%. Through discounts for reusable mugs, zero waste stations, and recycling programs, the shop significantly cut its daily garbage output and promotes its efforts via social media to inspire the community.

Christine Miller and Luci Cadman

As Executive Director and Education Coordinator of the North Shore Black Bear Society, Christine and Luci educate residents about bear-proofing and reducing human-bear conflicts. Through events, school presentations, and outreach to newcomers, their work helps the community coexist safely with wildlife.

David Roberts, Kathy Fung and Matt Dowds

David and Kathy upgraded their 1912 home in Grand Boulevard for energy efficiency while preserving its heritage. Builder Matt Dowds helped them achieve Passive House Plus certification, using green techniques and renewable energy to create a low-impact home.

North Shore Community Garden Society

Founded in 2009, this society manages six community gardens, fostering sustainable gardening and community building. Members grow organic produce, share with neighbors and food banks, and the gardens serve as educational greenspaces for residents.

Sustainable Produce Urban Delivery

Sustainable Produce Urban Delivery (SPUD) minimizes packaging waste in grocery deliveries by using reusable bins and piloting a reusable takeout container program. Their circular economy model aims to inspire other food delivery services to adopt more sustainable packaging solutions. 

Gerry MacPherson

At 98, Gerry continues transforming a once-neglected area into a community garden, now a vibrant public space certified as wildlife-friendly. His vision and dedication have made Gerry’s Garden a valuable community hub for over a decade.

Carol Sartor and Kulvir Mann

As facilitators with HASTeBC, Carol and Kulvir promote active school travel through education, school zone safety, and community engagement. Their efforts have been crucial in the success of the Safe and Active School Travel Program at Holy Trinity Elementary.

Nancy Dale’s Grade 4/5 Class at Boundary Elementary School

These students participated in the "Cool Routes to School" program to reduce car use, creating safety videos, joining distracted driving campaigns, and organizing an active transportation campaign, "Walk BC," to promote healthy travel in their community.

Pam Pike

Pam, President of Hamilton Heights Neighbourhood Association, champions environmental initiatives, organizing cleanups, promoting energy conservation, and fostering wildlife awareness. Her leadership and passion continue to inspire positive change in her community.

Queen Mary School Green Team – Sustainable Transportation

This student-led team created the “Walk/ Wheel on Wednesday” program, encouraging active school commutes. Their energetic promotion and community engagement, including the “You Are Awesome” campaign, highlight the benefits of sustainable transportation.

Communication Department, North Vancouver School District – Sustainable Transportation

Led by Deneka Michaud, this team creatively engages parents in promoting active transportation through social media, videos, and infographics, increasing awareness of the benefits of walking and biking to school.

Rob Matthies, Education and Awareness

Rob, known for his revived battery electric pickup truck, founded the Solar Powered Road Show, offering solar power demonstrations and workshops at events around Vancouver, showcasing sustainable energy through fun, interactive activities.

Odette Monroy – Environmental Enhancement and Protection

Odette, who runs Just for Barks Doggy Daycare, takes proactive steps to clean up dog waste on local trails. She ensures waste is disposed of sustainably, minimizing its impact on local ecosystems and protecting sensitive habitats.

Ridgeway Elementary’s Healthy Safe School Committee – Sustainable Transportation and Awareness

Students from Grades 5-7 created campaigns promoting active school travel and safety, including posters, competitions, and a short film aimed at raising awareness for safer school zones and reducing traffic around their school.