Thanks for 50+ Nominations!
The Land Awards celebrate big ideas and bold leadership in sustainable, equitable, and socially just land use and real estate across BC.
Presented by the Real Estate Foundation of BC (REFBC), the awards recognize outstanding projects and remarkable leaders that protect the lands and waters we love and create sustainable, inclusive, and resilient communities. There are five categories for projects and two categories for individuals.
Winners and finalists are selected by judging committees composed of community leaders and subject-matter experts, supported by REFBC Governors and staff. The awards are presented at the Land Awards Gala, a night of camaraderie, revelry, and inspiration.
For the 2024 Land Awards, winners will be presented with a trophy at the Gala, highlighted in a media release and on social media, and profiled by our official media partner, The Tyee.
Submitted a nomination? We’ll send every nominator a toque embroidered with REFBC’s salmonberry blossom logo!
Project Awards
These awards recognize projects that raise the bar for sustainability, equity, and social justice in land use and real estate.
Eligible projects include buildings, campaigns, plans, policies, programs, publications, research, tools, and other initiatives in BC.
Projects may demonstrate leadership through innovation, impact, collaboration, and engagement; by advancing Indigenous governance, knowledge, and rights; and/or by addressing the impacts of climate change.
There are five categories. Judges will select one winner and three additional finalists in each category.
Select a Category
Land Use and Conservation
This award recognizes projects that strengthen relationships between people and land, as well as contribute to a healthy environment and resilient communities.
Eligibility:
- Project is based in BC
- Project is led by organization(s) with strong ties to BC (e.g. non-profit, First Nation, public or private sector)
- Project achieved a milestone in 2022 or 2023
- Project is undertaken in collaboration with others
Judging Criteria:
- Innovation
- Impact
- Collaboration
- Engagement
Fresh Water
This award recognizes projects that protect, restore, or steward watersheds and ensure rivers, lakes, and wetlands are healthy and valued.
Eligibility:
- Project is based in BC
- Project is led by organization(s) with strong ties to BC (e.g. non-profit, First Nation, public or private sector)
- Project achieved a milestone in 2022 or 2023
- Project is undertaken in collaboration with others
Judging Criteria:
- Innovation
- Impact
- Collaboration
- Engagement
Built Environment
This award recognizes projects that advance affordable housing, zero-carbon buildings, inclusive spaces, or sustainable communities.
Eligibility:
- Project is based in BC
- Project is led by organization(s) with strong ties to BC (e.g. non-profit, First Nation, public or private sector)
- Project achieved a milestone in 2022 or 2023
- Project is undertaken in collaboration with others
Judging Criteria:
- Innovation
- Impact
- Collaboration
- Engagement
Food Sovereignty
This award recognizes projects that increase food security, improve access to culturally important food lands, and build resilient local food systems.
Eligibility:
- Project is based in BC
- Project is led by organization(s) with strong ties to BC (e.g. non-profit, First Nation, public or private sector)
- Project achieved a milestone in 2022 or 2023
- Project is undertaken in collaboration with others
Judging Criteria:
- Innovation
- Impact
- Collaboration
- Engagement
Real Estate
This award recognizes projects led by real estate organizations, professionals, or developers that advance sustainability or inclusion, contribute to reconciliation, or address climate change.
Eligibility:
- Project is based in BC
- Project is led by organization(s) with strong ties to BC (e.g. non-profit, First Nation, public or private sector)
- Project achieved a milestone in 2022 or 2023
- Project is undertaken in collaboration with others
Judging Criteria:
- Innovation
- Impact
- Collaboration
- Engagement
Submit a Nomination
Individual Awards
These awards recognize people who are leading the way with respect to sustainability, equity, and social justice in land use and real estate.
There are two categories. Judges will select one winner in each category.
Select a Category
Land Champion
This award recognizes a person who has made exemplary and lasting contributions to land use, conservation, freshwater or food systems, community planning, or real estate practices in BC.
The Land Champion has a clear vision, brings communities together, inspires action, and is certain to leave a remarkable legacy for future generations.
Eligibility:
- Nominee is a BC resident
Judging Criteria:
- Leadership
- Impact
- Legacy
- Community-Building
Emerging Leader
This award recognizes a person or small group (age 35 or younger) who is having a positive impact on land use, conservation, freshwater or food systems, community planning, or real estate practices in BC.
The Emerging Leader inspires and empowers others and has demonstrated early successes and the capacity to make wider change.
Eligibility:
- Nominee is a BC resident
- Nominee is 35 years old or younger (as of June 13, 2024)
Judging Criteria:
- Leadership
- Initiative
- Collaboration
- Community-Building
Submit a Nomination
Nomination Instructions
Each nomination should include the following:
- Nomination Form (Project, Land Champion, or Emerging Leader)
- Photos/images (3+)
- Optional: Letter of support (up to 2)
Also optional: Nominators may include additional supporting material (e.g. reports, CVs, news articles, links to websites) to help communicate the nominee’s impact. Please choose supporting material carefully. Judges may not have time to review long articles and videos.
Email nominations: landawards@refbc.ca
Deadline for nominations: December 15, 2023 — 5 p.m.
Questions & Answers
Can I self-nominate?
A project may be nominated by the lead organization.
Land Champion and Emerging Leader nominations must be submitted by another person (not a family member).
My organization isn’t a non-profit — can we still nominate a project?
Yes, nominations are open to First Nations, nonprofit organizations, universities and colleges, trade associations, governments and public agencies, and private companies.
Can I nominate someone who is deceased?
We accept posthumous Land Champion nominations, in recognition of a lifetime of work.
Emerging Leader nominations are open to living individuals.
My project was nominated in a previous year — can I nominate it again?
If a project is not a past winner or finalist, it is eligible to be nominated — provided it achieved a milestone in 2022 or 2023.
In the judging criteria, what do you mean by “engagement”?
Engagement includes community engagement, rightsholder engagement, stakeholder engagement, public engagement, etc.
Timeline
| Nominations open | November 15, 2023 |
| Nominations close | December 15, 2023 |
| Judging | February–March 2024 |
| Notification of finalists | April 2024 |
| Announcement of finalists | May 2024 |
| 2024 Land Awards Gala | June 13, 2024 |
Nomination Kit
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