Noosa Biosphere Reserve - A celebration of community and environment.
Instagram Facebook-f Youtube Linkedin X-twitter
List your event
Donate

Entries Opening 20th August, 2026

View Past Winners & Finalists
Celebrate local Impact

About the Awards

The Noosa Biosphere Awards celebrate our community and the environmental champions in our region.

The Noosa Biosphere Awards return in 2026 to celebrate the people, businesses and organisations championing environmental stewardship, sustainability and social inclusion in the Noosa Shire.

An initiative of the Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation, the Awards recognise outstanding contributions from those making a genuine difference in protecting and enhancing Noosa’s globally significant environment and culture.

Winners will be announced at the Awards Ceremony on Thursday, 12 November 2026, capping off a season of nominations, entries, and finalist celebrations honouring the people leading the way toward a more sustainable future for the region.

Proudly presented by the Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation. 
Supported by Noosa Council.  

NBRF-logo-color
council

Award Categories

Environmental Steward Award (individual)

Outstanding individuals who demonstrate leadership, stewardship and long-term contribution to the Noosa Biosphere through environmental, social, cultural or sustainability initiatives. 

 

For individuals over school age. 
(self nomination or third party nomination)

Emerging Custodian Award
(school age - individual)

Sponsored by Noosa Community Foundation

Young people who demonstrate leadership, initiative and care for people, place and the environment through actions that positively contribute to the Noosa Biosphere.

$500 prize money towards project.

 

For school-aged individuals living, studying or actively participating within the Noosa Biosphere. (self nomination or third party nomination)

School or Class Biosphere Custodian Award

Sponsored by Noosa Community Foundation

Projects completed or underway within the previous 12 months that demonstrate positive outcomes for students, schools, communities and the environment in the Noosa Biosphere Reserve. 

$2000 prize money towards project. 

For schools, classes or home school groups.
(self nomination only)

Thriving Nature Award

Projects and initiatives that protect, restore or enhance biodiversity, ecosystems and natural environments within the Noosa Biosphere.

 

For businesses, community groups, not-for-profit organisations or project teams.
(self-nomination only)

Smart Biosphere Award

Sponsored by Noosa Council

Projects that achieve outstanding environmental or social outcomes through the use of innovation, technology and creative solutions that contribute to a smarter, more sustainable and resilient biosphere. 

 

For businesses, organisations, community groups or project teams. (self-nomination only)

Social Impact Award

Initiatives that strengthen community wellbeing, inclusion, participation and positive social outcomes in the Noosa Biosphere.

 

For businesses, organisations, community groups or individuals.
(self-nomination only)

Sustainable Business Award

Leadership in sustainable business practices that create environmental, social and economic benefits for the Noosa Biosphere.

 

For businesses operating within the Noosa Biosphere 
(self-nomination only)

Add these dates to your calendar!

2026 key dates

  • Entries Open: Thursday, 20 August 2026
  • Entries Close: Monday, 21 September
  • Finalists Announced: Early October
  • Winners Announced: Awards Ceremony, Thursday 12 November.
Download Ceremony Program
Why enter?

There are multiple benefits to entering the Noosa Biosphere Awards:

  • Meaningful recognition of your contribution to sustainability in the Noosa Biosphere Reserve, by the Noosa Shire community.
  • Celebrate your achievements with your team, peers and community at the Noosa Biosphere Awards.
  • Opportunity to network with like-minded business leaders, sponsors and community members at the Awards event (tickets not included/guaranteed).
  • Build your brand profile through the promotion of your organisation or cause.
  • Winners and Finalists will receive an official logo for use in their marketing.
  • Winners and Finalists will be listed on this website.
  • Winners and Finalists will receive promotion in the lead-up to the Awards ceremony, and following announcements.

The Noosa Biosphere Awards celebrates the people, businesses and organisations making a difference in our community who are leading the way in progressing Noosa towards a healthy, happy and inclusive community and environment.

Noosa is recognised globally for its outstanding biodiversity and rich cultural history. In 2007, the Noosa Shire was designated an UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in recognition of the ongoing efforts of our community to manage Noosa’s land, waters and wildlife sustainably.

The Noosa Biosphere Reserve is one of only five UNESCO biosphere reserves in Australia and part of a network of more than 700 sites worldwide under the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB) all working towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

The MAB Programme aims to establish a scientific basis and support for enhancing the relationship between people and their environments. Biosphere reserves are ‘living labs’. They are learning places seeking to develop and test local solutions to the global challenges of sustainable development and biodiversity health.

The individual, business or organisation must:

  1. Operate within the Noosa Shire; with activities benefiting the Noosa Biosphere Reserve.
  2. Be able to demonstrate how their project or activities contribute to the objectives of the Noosa Biosphere Reserve under the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Programme, through either:
    • Conservation – of biodiversity, species and ecosystem services.
    • Sustainable development – contributing to building a sustainable, healthy and equitable society, and thriving economy, in harmony with the biosphere reserve.
    • Learning – through biodiversity and sustainability science and research, education for sustainable development (ESD), and/or sharing knowledge across networks.
    • Climate – support mitigation and adaptation to climate change and other aspects of global environmental change.
  3. Read and agree to the awards entry rules.

Entries for 2025 are closed

Find out how you can enter the Noosa Biosphere Awards, prepare your submission, or nominate an individual or business.

Nominate someone
Anyone can nominate another person or business. We will notify the Nominee via email. It is up to the Nominee to determine if they are eligible and submit an Entry to the Awards. It’s easy to nominate – click the Nominate button below, provide their contact details and tell us why you think they are deserving of an Award.

Submit An Entry
We encourage entries from all community sectors. Entering is easy and there are only 3 questions! 

  1. Download the Awards Entry Questions to preview and draft your responses first (when clicked, an editable Word doc will download to your computer).
  2. Submit your entry using the online Entry Form before the closing date.

Tip: you cannot save and come back to your entry, so we encourage you to pre-prepare your answers in the Word doc, and then copy/paste them into the online form. 

If you have questions about eligibility, how to enter, or a media or general enquiry, you can email us at secretariat@noosabiosphere.org.au

The Noosa Biosphere Awards are an initiative of the Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation, a non-profit charitable organisation. Your support helps us to deliver the Awards that aims to support, recognise and encourage excellence in the region’s environment, sustainability and innovation sector for the benefit of the Noosa Shire. 

There are several ways you can support the ongoing success of the Noosa Biosphere Awards:

  1. Become a financial sponsor. There are multiple opportunities to become an Event Sponsor. Reach out to Anna Macklin, NBRF General Manager at the awards email below for an information pack.
  2. In-kind/collaborative supporter. Have a service that could help us promote or deliver an exceptional event experience? We’d love to hear from you! 
  3. Share the Awards. Encourage those in your network to enter the awards, and share the Awards via your social media and newsletter channels. Simply visit our Facebook page to share a recent post or email us for some content for use – we’re happy to supply!

Email secretariat@noosabiosphere.org.au for more information.

Be part of an exciting Awards program that celebrates our Noosa Biosphere community and environment. Sponsor opportunities open!

Judging Panel

Finalists and Winners

2025 Finalists

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARD AWARD (Under 30)
Sponsored by UniSC

Chaka Wood
Gene Young
Spencer Hitchen

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARD AWARD (Over 30)
Sponsored by UniSC

Anne Kennedy
Paul Ryan 
Beverly Hand

SOCIAL IMPACT AWARD
Supported by Kabi Kabi Peoples Aboriginal Corporation

Rise & Thrive – Janelle Parsons
Seahorse Inclusion Foundation
Zero Emissions Noosa
Noosa Surf Lifesaving Club

THRIVING NATURE AWARD
Sponsored by Noosa4Sale

Noosa and District Landcare Group
QLD Fire & Biodiversity
UniSC – Sunshine Coast Bull Shark Program
Tourism Noosa – Plastic Free Noosa 

SMART BIOSPHERE AWARD
Sponsored by Noosa Council 

UniSC – Selecting Indicators of Conservation Success 
UniSC – Koala Vaccine
Energy Flex
Mineral Fox

SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD
Sponsored by Tourism Noosa

Pottery for the Planet
Eastwell Farms
Laguna Pest Control
Karla Enterprises

2025 Winners​

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARD AWARD (Under 30)
Sponsored by UniSC

Chaka Wood

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARD AWARD (Over 30)
Sponsored by UniSC

Paul Ryan 

SOCIAL IMPACT AWARD
Supported by Kabi Kabi Peoples Aboriginal Corporation

Zero Emissions Noosa – Solar for Low-income Homes

THRIVING NATURE AWARD
Sponsored by Noosa4Sale

Tourism Noosa – Plastic Free Noosa 

SMART BIOSPHERE AWARD
Sponsored by Noosa Council 

UniSC – Selecting Indicators of Conservation Success 

SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD
Sponsored by Tourism Noosa

Eastwell Farms

 

Congratulations to all the Winners!

2024 Finalists

YOUNG ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARD AWARD (Under 30)
Sponsored by UniSC

Millie Toy
Spencer Hitchen

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARD AWARD
Sponsored by Sandy Bolton MP – Independent Member for Noosa

Carolyn Lansdown
Nick Cooke 
Paul Ryan 
Philip Moran

SOCIAL IMPACT AWARD
Sponsored by Bendigo Community Bank Tewantin-Noosa

Alsawha Estate
Noosa Landcare Training Program 
Veggie Village Community Gardens
Whalesongs Noosa 

THRIVING NATURE AWARD
Sponsored by Noosa4Sale

Bushland Conservation Management
Noosa Koala Habitat Restoration Program 
The Nature Conservancy Australia 
WIldlife Noosa

SMART BIOSPHERE AWARD
Sponsored by Noosa Council Economic Development

Energy Flex
Prestige Residential – On The Beach 
Provectus Algae
Zero Emissions Noosa 

SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD
Sponsored by Tourism Noosa

Boomerang Bags Noosa
Eastwell Farms
Silicon Coast 
Sofitel Noosa Pacific Resort
Sunshine Social

2024 Winners

YOUNG ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARD AWARD (Under 30)
Sponsored by UniSC

Spencer Hitchen

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARD AWARD
Sponsored by Sandy Bolton MP – Independent Member for Noosa

Philip Moran

SOCIAL IMPACT AWARD
Sponsored by Bendigo Community Bank Tewantin-Noosa

Noosa Landcare Training Program  

THRIVING NATURE AWARD
Sponsored by Noosa4Sale

Noosa Koala Habitat Restoration Program 

SMART BIOSPHERE AWARD
Sponsored by Noosa Council Economic Development

Energy Flex

SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD
Sponsored by Tourism Noosa

Sunshine Social

2023 Finalists

LAND CATEGORY
Sponsored by International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW)

Alsahwa
Eastwell Farms
NICA (Urban Wildlife Gardens)
Rosecliffe Boutique Farm Cottages

WATER CATEGORY
Sponsored by UniSC

Alison Foley (Ten Little Pieces)
Richard Howard (NICA)
Sally Jensen (‘Pontoon’ film)

WILDLIFE CATEGORY
Sponsored by Land & Sea Brewery

Bushland Conservation Management
UniSC Detection Dogs for Conservation
Wildcare Australia – Noosa Team
Wildlife Noosa

YOUNG ECO LEADER CATEGORY
Sponsored by Tewantin-Noosa Lions Club

Jarrah Small
Millie Toy
Spencer Hitchen
Taylor Ladd-Hudson

PEOPLE & ECONOMY (INDIVIDUAL/NOT-FOR-PROFIT) CATEGORY
Sponsored by Community Bank Tewantin-Noosa

Noosa Regional Gallery (Floating Land: Us and Them)
Noosa Environmental Education Hub (Noosa Youth Advocacy Group)
Tourism Noosa (Tread Lightly)
Zero Emissions Noosa (Community Battery/EV Expo)

PEOPLE & ECONOMY (BUSINESS) CATEGORY
Sponsored by Tourism Noosa

Eco Cottages
Mayan Farm
Provectus Algae
RACV Noosa Resort

2023 Winners

Congratulations to:

LAND CATEGORY
Sponsored by International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW)
NICA (Urban Wildlife Gardens)

WATER CATEGORY
Sponsored by UniSC
Alison Foley (Ten Little Pieces)

WILDLIFE CATEGORY
Sponsored by Land & Sea Brewery
UniSC Detection Dogs for Conservation

YOUNG ECO LEADER CATEGORY
Sponsored by Tewantin-Noosa Lions Club
Taylor Ladd-Hudson

PEOPLE & ECONOMY (INDIVIDUAL/NOT-FOR-PROFIT) CATEGORY
Sponsored by Community Bank Tewantin-Noosa
Zero Emissions Noosa (for their Community Battery/EV Expo initiative)

PEOPLE & ECONOMY (BUSINESS) CATEGORY
Sponsored by Tourism Noosa
Eco Cottages

2022 Finalists

Land Category Finalists

Rosecliffe Boutique Farm Cottages
Eastwell Farms
Permeco Inc.

Young Eco-Leader Award Finalists
Sponsored by Tewantin-Noosa Lions Club

Jarrah Small
Spencer Hitchen

Water Category Finalists
Sponsored by UniSC

NICA – Waterwatch Team
NICA – Get Your Wetlands Project (Peter & Alex)
Noosa World Surfing Reserve Stewardship Council

Wildlife Category Finalists
Sponsored by Tourism Noosa

Meghan Halverson
Kanu Kapers

People & Economy Category Finalists
Sponsored by Community Bank Tewantin-Noosa

Plastic Free Noosa
Zero Emissions Noosa Inc
Noosa Lakes Resort
RACV Noosa Resort

2022 Winners

Congratulations to:

Land Category (Sponsored by NBRF)
Rosecliffe Boutique Farm Cottages

Water Category (Sponsored by UniSC)
NICA – Waterwatch Team

Wildlife Category (Sponsored by Tourism Noosa)
Meghan Halverson

People & Economy Category (Sponsored by Community Bank Tewantin-Noosa)
Plastic Free Noosa

Young Eco Leader Category (Sponsored by Tewantin-Noosa Lions Club)
Jarrah Small
Spencer Hitchen

2021 Finalists

Land Category Finalists
Sponsored by University of the Sunshine Coast

PermEco Inc.
Dangerbridge Nature Reserve
Noosa & District Landcare – Keeping it in Kin Kin project

Water Category Finalists
Sponsored by Tourism Noosa

Land & Sea Brewery (Can for a Cause)
Noosa Integrated Catchment Association
Noosa World Surfing Reserve.

Wildlife Category Finalists
Sponsored by International Fund for Animal Welfare

Meghan Halverson
Rachel Lyons
Dr Romane Cristescu

People & Economy Category Finalists
Sponsored by Noosa Council Economic Development

EarthTech
Noosa Environmental Education Hub
Plastic Free Noosa

2021 Winners

Land Category Winner
Noosa & District Landcare (Keeping it in Kin Kin project)

Water Category Winner
Noosa Integrated Catchment Association

Wildlife Category Winner
Rachel Lyons

People & Economy Winner
Noosa Environmental Education Hub

Thank you to our 2025 sponsors