TORONTO - The environmental awards of excellence are just around the corner, and the City and Green Living Enterprises have announced the finalists of the 2011 Green Toronto Awards.

More than 150 nominations were whittled down to 30 finalists that include local youth, residents, businesses and organizations who are leading the way in green practices.

The winners will be announced at the seventh annual Green Toronto Awards ceremony on Friday, April 15th, at 7 pm on the Main Stage at the Green Living Show, Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place. Entry to the Green Toronto Awards is free to the public. Host Frank Ferragine, Citytv’s Breakfast Television weather specialist and CityNews gardening specialist, will be joined by musical guests.

Each winner will receive an award and $5,000 to further their work on the environment or to donate to an environmental charity of their choice, courtesy of award sponsors.

The 2011 Green Toronto Award finalists

GREEN BUSINESS (new)

• Green Circle Salons
• LoyaltyOne
• Woodbine Entertainment Group

The Green Business Award recognizes a business that is demonstrating excellence in green practices, strategies or products

GREEN HOME (new)

• Anthony Ketchum
• John Tabone
• Lynn Brandy

The Green Home Award recognizes Toronto residents who are leading change by greening their home.

COMMUNITY PROJECT

• Afri-Can FoodBasket
• Auriel Haynes, Malvern Action for Neighbourhood Change
• The Green Awakening Network, Toronto United Church Council

The Community Project Award acknowledges the leadership of Torontonians engaged in greening our communities.

LOCAL FOOD

• Wally Seccombe, Everdale Environmental Learning Centre
• The Healthy Butcher
• Toronto Beekeepers Co-operative

The Local Food Award recognizes leadership in creating, managing and promoting local food.

ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS

• A Greener Toronto TV Series
• Toronto Vegetarian Association
• TREC Education

The Environmental Awareness Award recognizes leadership in environmental education through a variety of media as well as environmentally-themed arts and cultural events.

ENERGY CONSERVATION

• Nitta Gelatin Canada Inc.
• Planet Traveler
• Social Housing Services Crop, GLOBE Inc.

The Energy Conservation Award recognizes leadership in improving operation or production processes that reduce consumption.

GREEN DESIGN

• architectesAlliance
• Leon’s Furniture Ltd., Leon’s at the Roundhouse
• Modrobes Inc.

The Green Design Award rewards leadership in infrastructure, architecture or industrial design which complies with the principles of sustainability.

LEADERSHIP

• Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment, CivicAction
• Greening Greater Toronto
• Not Far from the Tree

The Leadership Award recognizes an individual, organization or company for going above and beyond the norm in helping to transform our environment.

WATER EFFICIENCY

• Citizens for a Safe Environment for Toronto Foundation Inc. and Schollen & Company Inc.
• Kraft Canada Inc., East York Bakery
• Sustainability Team, Kraft Lakeshore Bakery

The Water Efficiency Award recognizes efforts to reduce and sustainably manage water use and promote water conservation.

YOUTH LEADERSHIP

• Dovercourt Junior Public School
• Fariha Raham
• Youth Mentors, Greenest City

The Youth Award recognizes young people (18 years of age and under) for their leadership on green projects.

More information about the Green Toronto Awards is available at http://www.toronto.ca/greentorontoawards