The 27th annual Green Ribbon Awards are now open.

The awards are intended to recognise outstanding contributions by individuals, communities and organisations in protecting and managing New Zealand's environment.

Bay of Plenty MP Todd Muller says they are a great way to showcase an ‘impressive array' of initiatives making a difference to New Zealand's natural assets and wildlife.

'The 10 categories include biodiversity, resilience to climate change, waste minimisation, caring for fresh water, coastal and ocean protection, leadership, philanthropy and partnerships, and the Supreme Winner category,” he says.

'We are so blessed with a stunning natural environment here in the Bay, but we are also blessed with some very committed and hard-working environmentalists in our community who do so much to preserve it. They are often unsung heroes and this is our chance to recognize them.

'This is a great chance to raise the profile of environmental initiatives and honour our environmental leaders.”

Entries close on May 10, with the finalists to be announced at parliament on June 8.

For more information visit www.greenribbonawards.org.nz