Having disposed of more than 500,000 adult toads and millions of eggs and tadpoles, 5,000 volunteers have spent more than a million hours tackling the problem of cane toads in the Kimberley.

Working almost every night in remote areas of northern WA, and covering 300,000 square kilometres, the Kimberley Toadbusters are not only slowing the rate of toads as they advance towards the Kimberley, but are also gathering important research data.

Traditional owners, tradesmen, tourism operators and scientists joined forces to repel the invaders. This campaign is just one of the many innovative environmental projects and initiatives on the shortlist for the country's top environmental prize, the United Nations Association of Australia World Environment Day Awards.

Also shortlisted are banks, law firms, businesses, journalists, local councils, schools, universities and projects from throughout Australia, from Gippsland to the Gulf of Carpentaria.

The Carpentaria Ghost Net Program found local indigenous solutions to an issue of global proportions, tackling the problem of fishing nets that have come adrift, otherwise known as “ghost nets”. Through a study of the affect of marine debris on marine life, novel solutions were found that utilise traditional knowledge and skills.

Zoos Victoria has come to the aid of gorillas in Central Africa through innovative measures for the protection of the species with the collection and refurbishment of mobile phones in Australia. The program reduces both landfill here, as well as demand for the mineral coltan used in mobile phones. Mined in Central Africa, coltan is a key cause of destruction of the gorillas’ natural habitat.

Outstanding finalists were also selected throughout Australia in the new Department of Sustainability and Environment Biodiversity Award launched this year in support of the International Year of Biodiversity and UNEP World Environment Day theme ‘Many Species, One Planet, One Future.’

Award winners will be announced at the Awards Presentation Dinner to be held at the Grand Hyatt Melbourne on Friday 4 June, 2010. This gala event will be hosted by Rob Gell, Environmentalist and President of Greening Australia.

FINALISTS

Department of Sustainability and Environment Biodiversity Award

· Biolinking Australia and Greenfleet – “Northern Victorian Biolinks Project”

· CReefs Australia – “Census of Coral Reef Ecosystems”

· Greening Australia Victoria – “The Grass Groundcover Restoration Project”

· Western Australian Local Government Association – “Perth Biodiversity Project & South West Biodiversity Project”

Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development Meeting the Greenhouse Challenge Award

· Darebin City Council – “Darebin’s Climate Change Action”

· National Australia Bank – “Carbon Neutral 2010 Strategy”

Szencorp Green Building Award

· Bond University – “Mirvac School of Sustainable Development Building”

· Brookfield Multiplex Constructions Pty Ltd & WSP Lincolne Scott – “One Shelley Street”

· WSP Lincolne Scott – “Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre”

Virgin Blue Business Awards

- Best Specific Environmental Initiative

o Goulburn Valley Water & Greater Shepparton City – “Resource Recovery Precinct”

o Veolia Environmental Services Australia – “Woodlawn Eco Precinct”

o Zoos Victoria – “They’re Calling On You!”

- Environmental Best Practice Program

o Australian Native Nursery

o Corporate Express Australia

o Instyle Contract Textiles “Sustainability with Style”

WSP Lincolne Scott Sustainability Leadership Award

· Allens Arthur Robinson

· Corporate Express Australia

· National Australia Bank

Education/School Award

· Bentleigh West Primary School – “Through Children’s Eyes – Our Planet’s Future Custodians”

· E.W. Tipping Foundation – “SustainAbility Stars”

· Monash Sustainability Institute – “Green Steps”

· North Dandalup Primary School – “A School for Environmental Consciousness”

Excellence in Marine and Coastal Management Award

· Corangamite CMA – “Corangamite Marine and Coastal Biodiversity Strategy”

· Northern Gulf Resource Management Group – “Carpentaria Ghost Net Programme”

· People and Parks Foundation – “Reef Life Survey”

· WetlandCare Australia – “Great Barrier Reef Coastal Wetlands Protection Programme”

Excellence in Sustainable Water Management Award

· Edstein Creative Stone

· Water Infrastructure Group & SA Water – “Virginia Pipeline Scheme Angle Vale Extension”

· Williamstown High School – “Williamstown Wetlands”

Local Government Awards

- Excellence in Overall Environmental Management

o Byron Shire Council – “The Brunswick Estuary Management Plan & Sewerage Augmentation Scheme”

o Darebin City Council – “Darebin’s Climate Change Action”

o Kogarah City Council – “Adapting Local Government’s Business to Climate Change”

- Best Specific Environmental Initiative

o Blacktown City Council and Liverpool Plains Shire Council – “Re-Genesis: Future Proofing Our Communities”

o Fairfield City Council – “Sustain ‘n’ Save Business Program”

o Moonee Valley City Council – “Moonee Ponds Green Precinct”

o Randwick, Waverley & Woolahra Councils – “3-Council Ecological Footprint Project”

Community Award

· Greening Australia Capital Region – “Boorowa River Recovery”

· Kimberley Toadbusters – “Cane Toad Control”

· People and Parks Foundation – “Reef Life Survey”

Individual Award for Outstanding Service to the Environment

· Tony Arnel – “A Sustainable Built Environment”

· Emeritus Professor Tor Hundloe – “An Environmental Pioneer”

· Michael Mahoney

Media Award for Environmental Reporting

· ABC News Online Investigative Unit – “Gene Wars”

· Adam Morton, The Age – “Climate Change Coverage”

. Tanya Ha – “Warm TV”

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More information about this topic in our non-profit organisations section

• Just Add Water!
• Appeal to End Commercial Kangaroo Industry
• Meet the Dinosaur of Wildlife Victoria – Annie Fraser!
• Kangaroo Cull: Green or Greenwash?
• Biodiversity is Life - Biodiversity is Our Life