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The
Awards Presentation and Silent Auction on April 15th, 2004 at the
Canadian Museum of Nature was a great success!
The Master of Ceremonies was Catherine Dumouchel
from the Canadian Museum of Nature. 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. Approximately
200 guests with a keen interest in wildlife conservation enjoyed
a presentation by Ed Lawrence, the National Capital Commission's
horticultural expert, an opportunity to bid on the 53 silent auction
items and the cold buffet.
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Individual
Award to Luba Mycio-Mommers
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| Head of Education,
and Director of WILD Education, Canadian Wildlife Federation, Luba
has long worked to promote environmental education. One of her most
significant achievements is creation of the award-winning, model Habitat
2000 program for schools and youth-based community groups in the 1980's
to help stimulate direct participation of young people in wildlife
conservation and to make a difference by the turn of the century,
continuing into the 21st Century under the new program name of WILD
Schools. Over 2,000 schools and youth groups have registered as participants
in Habitat 2000 and specific projects arising from these institutions
number in the thousands with close to half a million students directly
participating under the guidance of teachers or community leaders.
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environmental citizenship because of their participation, and have
made meaningful contributions toward conservation goals while working
to enhance conditions for wildlife; The CWF’s Backyard Habitat
Program, developed by Luba, grew out of the Habitat 2000 program and
she is the principal author of the related book, Backyard Habitat
for Canada’s
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Group
Award to CPAWS:
The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (Ottawa Valley)
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The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society
(CPAWS) was created in 1963 as Canada’s grassroots voice
for wilderness. The Ottawa Valley Chapter formed in 1969, in response
to concerns about large-scale development plans for Gatineau Park.
One of the oldest and most active conservation groups in the Ottawa
area, they have a solid reputation for researching the issues,
seeking expert opinion and guidance, and developing workable,
thoughtful proposals. Recent projects include: protection of the
exceptional 20 Km Lac la Blanche old growth-forest north of Ottawa
in Quebec; protection for the wolves of Algonquin Park; working
with others in the ‘Algonquin to Adirondacks ‘(A2A)
conservation initiative which recognizes the importance of maintaining
large, diverse corridors for wildlife; taking the lead in the
Eastern Ontario Natural Heritage Working Group, a partnership
of organizations
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whose primary purpose is to assist municipalities
in meeting the natural heritage conservation requirements of the
Planning Act; working with other groups to ensure strong and effective
endangered species legislation; and keeping the local community
informed about issues by hosting Wilderness Wednesdays from October
to May, through their well-designed and informative website, and
their newsletter for Ottawa Valley members. They provide a dedicated,
forceful and effective voice for wilderness preservation.
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Youth
Award to Michael
Leveille and the Educarium Science Students
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Mr. Léveillé and his
grade 6 & 7 science students at the Educarium, secured the
preservation and safe future of the site by recognizing the significance
of the Macoun Marsh at the Beechwood Cemetery and initiating a
scientific study which promoted awareness of the marsh and its
biodiversity. Activities within this project included: marsh studies
over different seasons; scientific observations and journal-keeping;
learning marsh and ecological interactions and vocabulary; identification
of over 339 species; birdfeeder design, construction, installation
and maintenance. The "Macoun Marsh Project" is co-sponsored
by Educarium, the Eastern Ontario Biodiversity Museum, and the
Prescott-Russell Natural History Museum.
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Many have benefitted from this group’s
efforts, including the students of Ottawa’s ABC (Association
for Bright Children) program, The Ottawa Paleontology Club,
and local individuals. Their efforts have also provided the
community with a greater appreciation of this special and diverse
ecosystem in an urban setting. They plan to carry on their surveys
and other work in the years to come.
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Special
Honourable Mention Youth Award: The Amphibian Conservation Club
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The Amphibian Conservation Club (ACC), formed
to help protect and preserve amphibians (and reptiles) of the Ottawa
area, focused their efforts on Petrie Island where in the fall of
2003 they recruited 85 families from the Greater Ottawa and Gatineau
area to help save animals from a pond which was being filled in.
The City of Ottawa provided pumps and volunteers to drain the habitat
in order to find as much wildlife as possible. Through their efforts
and with the help of many concerned people, they saved over 135
frogs, tadpoles, fish, insects, plants, a turtle, and a muskrat
which were located to another pond on Petrie Island and the ACC
are now stewards of this special place. They promoted conservation
awareness with their first Open House on Frog and Turtle Day in
June 2003 at Petrie Island where they recruited new ACC Ambassadors,
held monthly meetings leading a group of
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kids aged 7-14 with curriculum related activities
on Environmental Conservation, supported with "Specimens to
Go" from the Museum of Nature; raised money through fundraising
and met their goal of crafting 2 benches for their adopted pond
at Petrie Island and towards buying nets, mini-terrariums and notebooks
for ACC members; maintained contact with Frog Watch (Environment
Canada) and the Chair of the International Year (2003) of Fresh
Water (United Nations) committee; raised public awareness of amphibian
conservation and preservation through media awareness such as newspaper
articles (Ottawa Sun), television interviews (NewRO, Radio Canada)
and public radio (Great Lakes Radio).
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