Several Leelanau County groups and individuals have been nominated for awards from the Northern Michigan Environmental Action Council (NMEAC).

NMEAC will hold its annual Environmentalist of the Year awards dinner Friday evening in Traverse City. Leelanau County nominees for awards in various categories include:

• Grassroots Group of the Year: Leelanau Independent Women for Democratic Action (LIWDA); and Elmwood Citizens for Sensible Growth.

• Business of the Year: Angela Macke of By the Light of Day Teas in Solon Township; and Dave Barron of Maple Disposal in Kasson Township.

• Educator of the Year: Steve Smiley of Suttons Bay Township.

• Volunteers: Jim and Pat Ganter of Elmwood Township.

• Journalism and Communications: Andy McFarlane of Leland and www.absolutemichigan.com.

• General Award: Jim Lively of Maple City and the Michigan Land Use Institute.
For more on the Northern Michigan Environmental Action Council, visit its website at www.nmeac.org.