The Environmental Managers Association of British Columbia (EMA of BC) hosted an unforgettable evening on June 23, 2026, at the Terminal City Club in Vancouver, honoring the most innovative and impactful projects driving environmental stewardship across our province for the 15th year!
An Evening of Inspiration and Celebration
The celebratory evening began with a champagne reception following our Annual General Meeting. The gala proceedings opened with welcoming remarks from EMA of BC leadership, Katrina Kalashnikova (VP Marketing and Gala Committee Lead) and Pamela O (Executive Director).
The President’s Address given by newly re-elected Bryan Shaw bid farewell to retiring Board Members, including long-time VP Membership, Richard Pope. The address also recognized our incoming 2026 Board of Directors. and introduced our esteemed panel of judges, whose expertise and commitment made this year’s rigorous evaluation process possible. As a surprise gesture, the inaugural Pamela O Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Pamela for “dedication and perseverance in British Columbia’s Environmental Industry”.
2026 Award Winners
Throughout the evening, attendees enjoyed a plated three-course meal with wine while finalists from the Environmental Assessment, Technological Innovation, and Organizational Environmental Programs categories delivered compelling project presentations. The Indigenous Project Award and Emerging Environmental Professional Award finalists were also celebrated for their outstanding contributions to BC’s environmental sector.
It was an evening filled with inspiration as we celebrated the deserving winners in each category:
Environmental Assessment: EDI Environmental Dynamics Inc. for their exceptional work on the Mill Creek Diversion Capacity Improvements project — demonstrating how thoughtful environmental assessment enables flood-resilient infrastructure that protects communities while respecting sensitive ecosystems.
Technological Innovation: Metro Vancouver for Next Generation Snowpack Monitoring in Metro Vancouver Water Supply Areas — creating one of Canada’s most advanced snow monitoring programs through high-resolution LiDAR and machine learning-powered satellite monitoring, strengthening water supply resilience in a changing climate.
Organizational Environmental Programs: Vancouver Fraser Port Authority for ELECTRA (Electric Container Trucking Program) — a groundbreaking pilot that removes barriers to zero-emission trucking adoption through comprehensive support, technical expertise, and transparent data sharing, accelerating the transition to sustainable port operations.
Indigenous Project Award (8th Annual): Tsleil-Waututh Nation with Westmar Advisors for the Reserve Shoreline Adaptation and Restoration Project — a climate-adaptive initiative that protects reserve lands from erosion and sea-level rise while restoring intertidal and riparian ecosystems using traditional ecological principles, building resilience for both land and community.
Emerging Environmental Professional Award (12th Annual): Sam Pritchard of Dillon Consulting — recognized for demonstrating leadership, excellence, and commitment to quality in the first five years of their environmental career, representing the bright future of BC’s environmental sector.
Members’ Choice Award: TrichAnalytics Laboratory for Biological Time Machines: Advancing Environmental Monitoring through Micro-sample LA-ICP-MS — transforming tiny biological samples into powerful evidence for environmental risk assessment through world-leading specialized analytical capabilities.
Gratitude to Our Sponsors
This celebration of environmental excellence wouldn’t have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors who share our commitment to advancing environmental leadership and innovation across BC:
Your partnership enables us to recognize outstanding achievements, support emerging professionals, and strengthen BC’s environmental community. Thank you for investing in our collective future!
Thank You to Our Community
We would like to extend special recognition to all our finalists whose exceptional work made this year’s competition truly outstanding. Every project presented represented innovation, dedication, and environmental leadership at its finest.
To every member organization, attendee, nominator, finalist, judge, and supporter — thank you! Your participation, expertise, and commitment to environmental excellence make events like this possible and our community stronger.
Looking Ahead
Throughout the gala, we were inspired by the passion and dedication of our environmental champions. Their projects not only set new standards for environmental accountability but also pave the way for a greener, more resilient future for British Columbia.
Congratulations to all the finalists and winners! Your work is truly transformative, and we’re honored to celebrate your successes.
Mark your calendars for 2027! Stay tuned for next year’s call for nominations as we continue pushing the boundaries of what’s possible for environmental protection and innovation across BC.
