Celebrating Local Climate Champions: Honouring Community Leadership in Sustainability
Nanaimo Climate Action Hub and Vancouver Island University’s Department of Political Studies were proud to present two Climate Champion Awards at Nanaimo Climate Connections 2025, recognizing the individuals and organizations making a real difference for people and the planet right here at home.
We are delighted to introduce the winners of our Individual Climate Champion Award and Organizational Climate Action Award, whose dedication and creativity are helping to build a healthier, more sustainable Nanaimo.
Individual Climate Champion Award: Joel Alan Canfield
If you’ve attended a community event or biked through the city, chances are you’ve seen Joel pedaling his bike with a brightly decorated trailer in tow. His passion for cycling and community wellbeing are inspiring.
Joel is a co-founder of the Nanaimo Area Cycling Coalition, which works to improve cycling infrastructure, educate riders on safety, and promote active transit as a way to cut pollution and improve physical and mental health. He works with the RCMP to promote 529 Garage, an online bike registry that helps reduce bike theft. He volunteers with Bikes for Kids, refurbishing and gifting bikes to children and adults who might otherwise go without.
Joel Canfield receiving the Individual Nanaimo Climate Champion Award 2025 (photo credit: Patrick Poyner-Del Vento)
He and his wife Melissa are often seen doing community garbage and litter clean-ups for neighbourhood groups such as the South End Community Association, and most recently, for the Island Corridor Foundation. Over the years they have removed hundreds of pounds of plastics and other toxic materials from our streets and trails.
Joel’s dedication has already earned him the King Charles III Coronation Award, and now we are thrilled to recognize him as our Individual Climate Champion for his tireless efforts to create a cleaner, healthier, and more connected community.
Thank you, Joel — you are truly pedaling us toward a better future!
Organizational Climate Action Award: Habitat for Humanity Mid-Vancouver Island
Through their Nanaimo ReStore, Habitat for Humanity has been a leader in reuse, giving new life to furniture, appliances, household items, and building materials—diverting countless goods from the landfill while keeping them affordable and accessible to our community.
Partnering with Building Material Exchange and Light House, Habitat for Humanity transformed the Nanaimo ReStore into a certified building material exchange hub, advancing a local circular economy. Contractors and suppliers can now donate surplus and salvaged construction materials, ensuring valuable resources stay in circulation rather than heading to the landfill.
With weekly pickups, on-demand collection, and salvage support for renovations, Habitat has made sustainable practices easy and effective for builders, homeowners, and the broader community.
By combining social good with environmental responsibility, Habitat for Humanity Mid-Vancouver Island is building more than homes—they’re building a future rooted in sustainability and resilience.
Jaclyn Chapman and Trevor Coyle of Habitat for Humanity Mid Vancouver Island, Accepting Organizational Climate Champion Award 2025 (photo credit: Patrick Poyner-Del Vento)
Moving Forward Together
These awards celebrate more than achievements; they highlight the power of community action. From individuals like Joel Alan Canfield inspiring us to rethink transportation, to organizations like Habitat for Humanity Mid-Vancouver Island pioneering circular economy solutions, Nanaimo is full of climate leaders driving positive change.
Let’s continue to learn from and support these champions as we work together for a healthier planet and a stronger community.