Green Hearts Award
Green Hearts Award is a new accolade by GNN designed to honour the most inspiring figures in Toronto’s environmental scene. This award celebrates the green neighbours whose leadership, impactful work, and profound knowledge inspire and mobilize our community towards greater sustainability and environmental stewardship.
Award Purpose and Significance
The Green Hearts Award was conceived as a way to acknowledge and celebrate the outstanding individuals and groups in our community who not only champion environmental causes but also share their invaluable knowledge and experiences to inspire action. It’s our way of saying thank you to those who lead by example and push for positive change in every corner of Toronto.
Criteria and Eligibility
CRITERIA
- Leadership in environmental initiatives within the Toronto community.
- Significant impact on promoting sustainability and conservation efforts.
- Ability to inspire and share knowledge with others, fostering a more environmentally conscious community.
ELIGIBILITY
- The award is open to all GNN members within Toronto and the GTA who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to the environment through their work, projects, or advocacy.
- Nominees should have been actively involved in their initiative(s) within the past year.
Nomination Process
Recognize a “green heart” in your community by nominating them for the Green Hearts Award. Our nomination form is simple to complete, requiring only the nominee’s name and a description of their environmental leadership and impact. Nominations close on January 10th, with our winner celebrated in a special ceremony and announcement in February.
Award Details
- Recipients of the Green Hearts Award will receive a unique, eco-friendly certificate, to honour their commitment to a sustainable future.
- A profile feature on GNN’s website and across our social media platforms, spotlighting their work and achievements.
- A monetary contribution will be made to a group close to the awardee’s heart to support their environmental project.
2025 Awardee
Krissan Veerasingam
GNN is proud to present the 2025 Green Hearts Award to Krissan Veerasingam, a passionate community advocate and lifelong Scarborough resident. Krissan began his journey in activism as a volunteer with Progress Toronto, canvassing across the city and gaining insight into the diverse needs of its neighbourhoods. But it was in his own community that he felt called to make the deepest impact.
In 2022, Krissan joined GNN with a clear goal: to form a Scarborough-based group focused on pushing for equitable environmental policy. From that vision, the Scarborough Environmental Association (SEA) was born. SEA is a grassroots organization of local residents who lead hands-on, community-first initiatives—from bike repair pop-ups and pollinator plant giveaways to advocacy for active transportation and urban equity.
Krissan’s work is deeply rooted in lived experience. Influenced by his family’s values of resourcefulness and care, he sees the environment not only as green space, but as the social and cultural spaces we live in and shape together.
GNN is honoured to recognize Krissan and the SEA team for their creativity, commitment, and impact. A donation to Scarborough Environmental Association has been made in Krissan’s honour.
2024 Awardee
Helen Mills
Helen Mills has brought her knowledge, wisdom, ideas, and infectious enthusiasm to the work of Toronto Green Community (TGC) since it held its very first meeting in 1995. She has served as a board member, and as the creator or co-creator behind the first Seedy Saturday in Toronto, the Eglinton Park Community Garden, the Green Garden Visit. She is also the creator and driving force behind the Lost Rivers Project.
Over the last 30 years, Lost Rivers has researched, mapped, and shared local in-depth knowledge of Toronto’s watersheds, lost rivers, our connections with land and water in the city, and ways we can intervene to improve the urban landscape. Through walks and workshops–led by Helen, other Lost Rivers members, and hundreds more volunteers–the Lost Rivers Project has informed and inspired tens of thousands of participants.
Helen has touched many more through her founding role in social enterprises like the Green Garden Visit, Rivers Rising, RAINscapeTO, and other partnerships and collaborations.
Helen was also among the creative minds that imagined a network of green neighbours groups in 2016. Her guiding wisdom has helped make GNN what it is today.
GNN is so very pleased to make a donation to Lost Rivers Walks in Helen’s honour.