The Rotary Club of Abbotsford-Matsqui is hosting its second annual Abbotsford Environmental Leadership Awards tonight.

The annual awards acknowledge the initiative, dedication and hard work put into caring for the local environment and protecting Abbotsford's natural heritage, said Rotary executive member Bert van Dalfsen.

"We wanted to bring greater awareness about the environmental leadership in the City of Abbotsford and promote businesses and individuals that demonstrated that leadership," said van Dalfsen.

This year's event follows the successful inaugural year of the Abbotsford Environmental Leadership Awards, which saw 22 nominees, and 150 guests attend the awards ceremony.

This year's judging committee has been impressed by the individuals or businesses nominated in one or more award categories for Energy Saver, Water Saver, Agri-Links, Green Projects, Green Leader, Green Product/Service and the newly established Community/ Grass Roots award, said van Dalfsen.

? The awards banquet is Thursday, Jan. 31 at the Ramada Plaza and Conference Centre starting at 6 p.m., featuring a dinner, awards reception and keynote speaker, former minister of environment Barry Penner. For more information see abbotsfordmatsquirotary.org/.