WEDA Award Applications Open
Applications are now open for the 2026 Western Dredging Association (WEDA) Dredger of the Year and Environmental Excellence awards.
WEDA has extended the nomination deadline for the Dredger of the Year Award to May 22. The award recognizes an individual who has made considerable contributions to WEDA and the dredging community in the last few years. The individual must be a member of WEDA, and nominators must provide examples of the nominee’s contributions to WEDA and the dredging industry. The winner will be presented with a plaque at the WEDA Dredging and Summit Expo and be featured on both the WEDA website and in a news release.
Submissions for the Environmental Excellence Award will be accepted through May 25 and will be reviewed by the Environmental Awards Committee to determine three winners.
Each year, WEDA chooses three projects to receive the award: one infrastructure-based dredging project; one environmental-based dredging project focused on beneficial use; and one environmental-based dredging project focused on remediation. The three winning projects will receive a plaque and the opportunity to present at the 2026 WEDA Dredging Summit and Expo. The winners will also be recognized in WEDA news releases and on the WEDA website.
According to WEDA, the Environmental Excellence Award aims to spread awareness of environmental issues, as well as encourage communication to develop new and innovative dredging solutions that prioritize navigation and environmental goals.
Applicants must provide a description of a project that was completed no later than three years prior to the application submission date, as well as a short PowerPoint presentation, which will be presented alongside other applicant presentations at the WEDA Dredging and Summit Expo. Applicants must also be a member of WEDA and are expected to attend the expo.
The 2026 WEDA Environmental Excellence and Dredger of the Year awards will be presented at the WEDA Dredging Summit and Expo in Montreal, Quebec, which will be held July 20 – July 23. Nominations and questions for the Dredger of the Year Award should be directed to committee chair Steve Shaw at SCShaw@Sevenson.com. Questions regarding the Environmental Excellence Award can be directed to Environmental Commission Chair Steve Garbaciak at steve.garbaciak@foth.com, or Nick Buhbe at nick@missionenv.com.
