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NLIS 4 June 3, 2002 (Environment) 13th annual Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Awards presented The 13th Annual Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Awards were announced today during a ceremony at the Fluvarium in St. John�s. Kevin Aylward, Minister of Environment, Joan MacNeil, president, Newfoundland and Labrador Women�s Institutes (NLWI), and Gordon Seabright, chairman, Multi-Materials Stewardship Board (MMSB) participated in the presentation. The Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Awards Program, which is a joint initiative of the Department of Environment, NLWI, and MMSB, was established to create public awareness about the environment and to acknowledge the proactive environmental actions being taken by Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. The object of the awards is to highlight the contributions people are making to create a healthier environment, and through their efforts, encourage others to do the same. The program has grown and developed over the last 13 years and it is now an integral part of the province�s Environment Week celebrations. "These awards provide an annual opportunity to formally recognize those individuals and groups in our province that work to ensure the protection and enhancement of our environment," said Minister Alyward. "I am very pleased with the response this year from individuals and groups from all parts of the province. I extend sincere congratulations to the 2002 award winners, and I encourage them to keep up the great work." The awards are presented each year to individuals and groups who make an exceptional effort to protect and conserve the environment and to help promote and encourage environmentally friendly practices. Awards are presented in seven categories and this year�s winners are: Individual:
Dr. Donald Steele, St. John�s; Honourable Mention: Allan Cull, Fogo
Island "I congratulate all the winners of this year�s environmental awards program," said Ms. MacNeil. "With the number of submissions increasing each year it is very reassuring to know that so many people and groups throughout the province are taking the time to care for our environment. The work these individuals do is greatly appreciated by everyone." "I am pleased to see the increasing importance that people in our province place on the environment. We should all follow the wonderful example set by these individuals and groups honoured here today," said Mr. Seabright. Media contact:
______________________________ BACKGROUNDER Individual - Donald Steele When Donald Steele's name was considered for recognition, he was considered by all on the committee to be an outstanding winner. He has been involved with the Natural History Society for 35 years, serving as an executive member for many years, he has been active in organizing an assessment of the water shed areas in and around St. John�s and supervised the clean-up work etc. done on Leary�s Brook and Rennies River; he was a member of the Outer Ring Road Environmental Advisory Committee, serves on the Quidi Vidi Rennies River Development Foundation, (the whole concept of the Fluvarium, came from a proposal that Don Steele and John Gibson developed.) He is a member of the Friends of Pippy Park - the list goes on. Although retiring and modest by nature, Mr. Steele does not take a back seat when sitting on a committee where he is considered a strong pro-active member and hands-on person. In 2001 he received the Tuck-Walters Award for Environmental Education and Protection. We take great pleasure and pride in nominating Donald Steele for this award. Honourable Mention Individual - Allan Cull There is nothing exceptional about an individual who drives his own car. An individual who, on a daily basis, purely through his own initiative, drives his car to a section of the highway and walking along the public roads places garage in bags, places these bags in the trunk of his car and then brings them home to be disposed of in the proper fashion is out of the ordinary. When you couple these actions with the fact that this individual is an 82 year old man who has been doing this for years, so as to make this activity a part of his life style, we have something out of the ordinary. The individual I have just described is Mr. Allan Cull, a retired businessman living in Shoal Bay, Fogo Island. Congratulations. Community Group/Organization - Natural History Society of Newfoundland and Labrador Another winner in this category is The Natural History Society of Newfoundland and Labrador. Originally this society had affiliations with the Canadian Audobon Society, now it is the Newfoundland (Provincial) Affiliate of the Canadian Nature Federation, It has been active in this capacity for the past 50 years. With such longevity this society has deep roots in our society. This society is a multi-faceted one and act as environmental activists for all living beings and their interactions with their environment. You will see the Natural History Society involved in the environmental assessment of the Terra Nova and White Rose oil field, the Main River Coalition, Windmill Bight Park, Pippy Park. They have representatives on the forest management committee for the Central Avalon, on the Quidi Vidi/Rennies River Development, the Johnson Foundation and others. Their contribution to the environmental integrity of our province is far-reaching and wide-spread. We are happy to recognize their input. Community Group/Organization - St. John�s Clean and Beautiful The St. John�s Clean and Beautiful is a non-profit volunteer organization affiliated with Keep America Beautiful. Since its inception in 1991 over 60,000 volunteers have invested in excess of 154,000 hours to help make St. John�s a cleaner and more beautiful city. Over the years the St. John�s Clean and Beautiful Committee have developed a number of initiatives that have created environmental awareness as well as action among the citizens of St. John�s. These include:
The St. John�s Clean and Beautiful Committee have received international recognition for its programs and community motivation and action. Educator - Ward Samson Mr. Samson was nominated in the Educator category because he is an enthusiastic individual with a genuine passion for environmental issues. Some of the projects which Mr. Samson either initiated or was largely involved in their continuance in his locale are as follows: he initiated the Eider Duck Enhancement Program, established an OceanNet chapter in Mary Simms all grade school, through funding from REDAS he developed a module on cod aquaculture, cod grown out and ocean stewardship, and, since becoming principal of the Main Brook High School has actively encouraged staff to partake of field trips etc. Through his infectious enthusiasm, his has been able to transmit a great deal of his keen interest in environmental issues to others. Mr. Samson was recently appointed to a directorship with the Canadian Wildlife Federation. Honourable Mention Educator - Paul Leblanc Paul LeBlanc, receives this Hon. Mention because of his on-going and long term efforts to instill in his students the positive benefits of good environmental habits. Last year, St. Catherine's Academy in Mount Carmel won in the School category. This was largely due to the efforts of Paul LeBlanc. Mr. LeBlanc will be retiring this year, but it is felt by his colleagues that his efforts have had a lasting and sustainable affect on his students, fellow teachers and the community at large. We do well in recognising his commitment and efforts. Youth or Youth Group - Melissa Saunders Melissa is a fine example of a pre-active youth, whose initiative and commitment to an ideal make her an excellent recipient of this award. Two years ago, Melissa, of her own volition, began working on a project to ban the use of pesticides in Harbour Grace. She is continually involved in research on this topic. From spring to fall she goes door to door informing residents of the dangers of pesticide use to our health, our water, animals and the environment in general. She provides lawn signs and information is supplied to the public via media coverage. She has persuaded many to stop their use of pesticides. She is hopeful that her actions will give initiative to others to do the same. A worthy recipient indeed. School - C.C. Loughlin Elementary School Winner in the school category is the C.C. Loughlin Elementary School. A Buddy Trail encircling the school property, a trail lined with benches, flowers and plants to be enjoyed, with appropriate identification markings. An outside classroom, to be used not just for environmentally related subjects but a place to study science and read poetry. A dream, perhaps. But to the C.C. Loughlin Elementary School on the corner of Wellington Street and Citadel Drive in Corner Brook, it is a reality. A dream brought to fruition and officially opened one year ago this week. It is an on-going dream, being fed by the dreams of students as they go through the school. It is a project called schoolyard naturalization which is gaining popularity across the country. The Evergreen Foundation defines schoolyard naturalization as a process of ecological restoration that encourages the natural environment to return to an urban area." We are delighted that the leadership exists in our province to make it a reality in Newfoundland and Labrador. A wonderful idea, a source of pride. Honourable Mention School - Bishop Field School Grounds Improvement and Environment Committee Worthy of this recognition is the Bishop Field School Grounds Improvement and Environment Committee. Comprised of parents and staff members, this committee has worked hard to implement their objections, which are:
Practical application of which include re-furbishing a soccer pitch, preserving the trees along Bond Street, planting a Peace garden with native trees and flowers, making a vegetable garden and herb garden, outdoor composting. The list goes on. Their work is admirable, their enthusiasm contagious. Congratulations Municipality - Town of Wabush The Town of Wabush is a relatively young one in our province but the environmental effort in the community is considered extremely good. The recycling depot in the industrial park received an award from the provincial government in 2001. A bi-yearly town newsletter educates residents on the disposal of oil, paint, and chemicals and their effects on the environment. The town recycles asphalt and car wrecks are shipped to Quebec for proper disposal. Combustible garbage is incinerated jointly with Labrador City. Most private gardeners have composts, there is a community vegetable garden. The community is considered a provincial leader with respect to environmental and conservation projects, waste management restoration and upkeep of historical sites, as well as community involvement in civic enhancement projects. In this regard The Town of Wabush was awarded first place in the 2001 Tidy Towns Newfoundland and Labrador Competition in the 1,800 to 2,499 population category. As The Town of Wabush takes pride in itself, we take pride in it. Business - Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro The winner in this category is Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro have shown, over a number of years, that they are committed to being good corporate citizens in their approach to the environment. Firstly, they developed an environmental program within the corporation and, through the diligent work of the corporation's environmental staff and the cooperation of other sectors of Hydro, the corporation has been exemplary in establishing sound environmental policies and programs and then following through with internal reviews, project monitoring and auditing to ensure that their environmental legislation and policies are adhered to. They have contributed to environmental groups and programs, an example of which is their substantial assistance to Ducks Unlimited. For their continued, and continuing, efforts in this regard, we take pleasure is recognizing them as an example to be followed. 2002 06 03 1:30 p.m. |
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