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The
Awards Presentation and Silent Auction on April 10th, 2003 at the
Canadian Museum of Nature was a great success!
Approximately 150 local politicians, individuals
from wildlife and outdoor organizations and other guests enjoyed
good food and the opportunity to bid on items in the silent auction.
The Master of Ceremonies was John Lacharity, host of CBC's Ottawa
Morning radio show. Awards for excellence in Environmental Conservation
were presented at this event to individuals and groups whose long-term
commitments to conservation of the environment have had significant
impacts on wildlife in the Region.
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Individual
Award to Erich Haber
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| Erich Haber is a professional
botanist with a wide range of botanical experience. He is a noted
authority on the very topical issue of invasive plants, the theme
for the 2003 National Wildlife Week. Recognizing the serious threat
invasive species pose to native plants and their ecosystems, he initiated
the Invasive Plants of Canada Project (IPCAN) in1995 to coordinate
the exchange of information on invasives and to increase awareness
of their impact on native biodiversity. He developed one of the most
comprehensive databases on invasive plants in Canada and maintains
an excellent website which contains a wealth of information on the
topic. |
| In 1997 he set up the Invasive Plants
Alert (IPA) to involve local natural history clubs across Canada in
monitoring and controlling invasive species in their area. Updates
are published in the online IPA Bulletin. All information is coordinated
and entered into the IPCAN database. Erich writes an ongoing series
of online Fact Sheets about invasive plants. In 1997 he prepared a
Guide to Monitoring Exotic and Invasive Plants for EMAN (Ecological
Monitoring and Assessment Network). Erich wrote the Guide to Monitoring
Exotic and Invasive Plants and Invasive Plants of Canada. Guide to
Species Methods and Control. Erich's concern for protecting our floristic
biodiversity prompts him to work tirelessly on conservation efforts
concerning endangered plant species, another area of his expertise.
He is the Chair of COSEWIC's Species Specialist Group for Vascular
Plants, Mosses and Lichens, a position he has held for over 20 years.
He has prepared databases on rare plants. Erich generously volunteers
his time to give talks and lead trips for naturalist's clubs and other
conservation organizations. There is much, much more one could say
about Erich Haber's work both on a professional level and as a volunteer.
The above gives only an overview of his interests, his expertise and
his enthusiasm for conserving our natural heritage. |
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Group
Award to ACRE
(Action Chelsea Respect for the Environment)
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ACRE is a not-for-profit organization formed
in 1998 by some Chelsea residents inspired by the late Dr. Nicole
Bruinsma, a founding member, to reduce the use of pesticides for
cosmetic purposes. ACRE's interests have broadened to include
habitat conservation and restoration, water resources, pesticide
reduction, sustainable living, and education.
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| In 1998
they successfully lobbied Chelsea to implement a Pesticide bylaw
banning harmful pesticides in the community. They provided input
into a Wetland by-law aimed at protecting local wetlands, passed
by Chelsea council. They initiated the ARORA Project to re-naturalize
a section of the west bank of the Gatineau River to help reserve
habitat for three species of fish listed as 'Species at Risk', and
the H20 Chelsea Project, a water monitoring, research and education
undertaking studying groundwater in Chelsea to create a framework
for the long-term management of resources. This benefits the entire
community. ACRE also produced a Naturescaping brochure, publishes
a quarterly Newsletter, hosts a lecture series, coordinates Earth
Day events in Chelsea, and maintains an excellent website.
It is a dynamic, energetic, grassroots group who demonstrate what
can be done when individuals band together with a common purpose.
They richly deserve the 2003 Award. |
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Youth
Award to students,
teachers and parents of Castor Valley Elementary School (Greely)
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Castor Valley Elementary School began
their greening initiative in 2000. This dynamic school created
out of an unshaded, wind swept, bare, 13 acres a flourishing greenspace
attractive to students and beneficial to wildlife. They have created
shade, wind breaks, sitting areas, vegetable and flower gardens,
habitat for wildlife and improvements to the existing pond. Since
the greening initiative began students have built bird feeders,
grown hundreds of sunflowers, maintained the garden. They
have studied the ecosystems and habitats created by the trees,
wildflower garden and shrub border.
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Benefits
of this greening include: habitat for many butterflies, insects,
birds, small mammals, and frogs created by the native wildflower
garden, shrubs, trees and pond; teachers now have the resources
to teach environmental components of the curriculum; art classes
are conducted outside; and spruce trees planted along the highway,
once they are bigger, will reduce noise, serve as a windbreak
and block out the view of the highway. Students will continue
improving the garden and this spring, assisted by a grant from
the Canadian Wildlife Federation, will design signs for identifying
plants and explaining habitats. The students of
Castor Valley Elementary School have done a superb job of creating
a flourishing wildlife garden, carried along by dedication and
enthusiasm. Over the years the environment at the school will
sustain both the students' love of nature and the many species
that will seek refuge in the small natural space the students
have helped to create.
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Posthumous
Award to Nicole Bruinsma
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Nicole Bruinsma is being honored for her spirited
and compassionate environmental advocacy, and particularly for her
educational work on the dangers inherent in pesticide use.
Nicole's energy and drive were instrumental in changing the way
her community of Chelsea viewed the cosmetic use of pesticides and
in 1991 a by-law restricting the use of pesticides was passed. This
by-law has now been referred to and used by municipalities across
Canada.
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In its 2000 report Pesticides,
Making the Right Choice the House of Commons Committee on Environment
and Sustainable Development acknowledged ACRE's work spearheaded
by Nicole and stated that it should be supported. Inspired by Nicole's
work, Loblaws announced that by this summer (2003) all of its garden
centres would discontinue the sale of chemical pesticides. Nicole
suggested that there were multiple ways an individual could make
a difference: an individual's choices respecting lifestyle and consumption
have wide-ranging impacts. Nicole hatched the idea for a community
grass-roots organization that would promote environmentally sensitive
municipal policies, but also a principled approach to daily living.
ACRE was born. Nicole was a founding member of ACRE and later became
its honorary President. With her driving spirit and complete and
total determination to make a difference in this world, Nicole made
a difference. ACRE is now working on issues such as the reduction
in pesticide usage, environmental stewardship, and habitat protection,
issues she really cared about. And when she cared about something,
she was relentless.... and effective! Nicole lived her life with
principle: absolutely determined, in every aspect of her life, to
do the right thing, she taught us that alone, we can make a difference.
Together we can make miracles.
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