Nelson, B.C. – School District No. 8 (Kootenay Lake) has won a 2025 Award of Distinction from the Canadian Association of Communicators in Education/L'association canadienne des agents de communication en éducation (CACE/ACACÉ) for its 2024-2025 Sustainability in SD8 public engagement campaign. 

The Award of Distinction recognizes exemplary school district communications and engagement work across Canada, honouring excellence in public relations, communications, marketing and community engagement through CACE’s annual BRAVO! Awards program. 

“We’re honoured to be recognized nationally by CACE for our Sustainability in SD8 initiative,” said Trish Smillie, Superintendent and CEO. 

“Sustainability means using resources and making decisions in ways that meet today’s needs without harming the ability of future generations to meet theirs. This award is an indicator that we’re taking the right steps to connect students, staff, and communities for a more sustainable school district.”

Through the EngageSD8 platform, participants submitted 357 surveys and close to 700 ideas on how SD8 can reduce its environmental footprint, support sustainable transportation, and make sustainability part of everyday school life. These ideas informed a new Climate Action and Sustainability Policy that underpins climate action for the next five years. The district also published its first Climate Action and Sustainability Annual Report in June 2025 to report on progress to date. 

“On behalf of the Board of Education, I want to thank the Canadian Association of Communicators in Education for this recognition,” said Dawn Lang, Board Chair. 

“Our Board is proud to support sustainability through listening, leadership and action. This engagement process showed that when you use the right tools and approach, school communities respond - offering thoughtful, detailed ideas for a healthy, sustainable future.”

This marks the third consecutive year SD8 has earned a national BRAVO! Award — a reflection of the district’s focus on communicating and engaging with school communities. Previous awards include a 2023 Award of Distinction for its strategic plan community engagement and a 2024 Coup de Cœur Award for a Mount Sentinel Academy of Performance and Media video showcasing student leadership. 

The Award of Distinction is one of Canada’s highest honours for excellence in K-12 communications and engagement. Winners were announced at the CACE/ACACÉ National Conference in Regina on October 18.