Two individuals and four groups received accolades
today for their demonstrated commitment to protecting the province�s
environment. The Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Awards were
presented today by the Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Environment
and Conservation, John Scott, chair and chief
executive officer, Multi-Materials Stewardship Board (MMSB), and Barbara
Taylor, president, Newfoundland and Labrador Women�s Institutes. The
ceremony took place at Humber Valley Resort on the province�s
west coast.
"This year�s winners are environmental ambassadors for
our province. Their dedication to conservation and their passion for our
land is truly impressive," said Minister Jackman. "We are all
responsible for the environment in this province and that is why it is
so important to recognize these great accomplishments and encourage
others to participate in environmental activities."
The environmental awards recognize individuals, groups
and organizations who are making an exceptional effort to protect and
enhance the environment and quality of life in the province.
This year�s winners are:
Individual: Wayne
Ledwell
Youth, Youth Group or School:
Stephenville Primary School
Community Group/Organization:
Brother Brennan Environmental Education Centre
Business/Industry Leader:
Stirling Communications International
Lifetime Achievement Award:
Jon Lien
Municipality/Regional Waste Management Committee:
Portugal Cove-St. Philip�s
"Now in our 18th year of celebrating
environmental accomplishments in Newfoundland and Labrador, I am proud
to be in the company of so many who have put their words into action,"
said Mr. Scott. "From backyards to schools, communities to workplaces,
worthy people like those who have won awards today are to be commended
for their efforts."
"The Women�s Institutes are very proud to be a part of
this event, an event that honours those who contribute immensely to our
environment in this province," said Ms. Taylor. "Congratulations to all
the winners for going above and beyond the call of duty to assist in
preserving our environment."
The minister also recognized Dr. Jon Lien, in
particular, on receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award. The award is
given for significant lifetime environmental contribution. "Dr. Lien�s
work with whales and his personal passion for the environment are known
far and wide. I extend congratulations to Dr. Lien for admirable work,"
said Minister Jackman.
The environmental awards are a joint venture of the
Department of Environment and Conservation, MMSB, and the Women�s
Institutes.
For more information about the award winners or
conservation, please visit
www.mmsb.nl.ca.
- 30 -
Awards are given in six categories:
Individual, Youth/Youth Group or School, Community Group,
Business/Industry Leader, Municipality or Regional Waste
Management Committee and lastly, Lifetime Achievement. All
winners went above and beyond the call of duty through excellence in
environmental protection and conservation.
Individual
Wayne Ledwell
Mr. Ledwell is originally from Calvert, a small community on the
southern shore of Newfoundland. This year Mr. Ledwell is being
recognized for his Whale Release and Stranding Program. This program
teaches fisherpeople how to prevent trapping whales in their nets and
how to free them if they do indeed get tangled. Mr. Ledwell also
ventures out onto the open sea to free stranded and entrapped whales in
his own Zodiac when reports come into his personal help- line, set up in
his home. When he�s not piloting his Zodiac across our Atlantic waters,
Wayne also gives educational talks on his work and is the author of two
books.
Youth, Youth Group or School
Stephenville Primary
This school has demonstrated great leadership in the area of environment
and conservation this year through many of their earth-conscious
programs and activities. Some of these include: The Great Canadian
Shoreline Clean-up, School Yard Beautification, vigorous recycling
programs and a Litter-less Lunch Day (which encourages kids to bring
their lunch on Earth Day in containers that won�t cause litter). Each
class� total garbage is then weighed at the end of the day. The ultimate
goal, through programming, is to teach these students that these
initiatives are not �projects� but should be a part of everyday living.
Community Group or Organization
The Brother Brennan Environmental Education Centre
The Brother Brennan Environmental Education Centre (BBEEC) has been
introducing children to nature in this province for over 25 years. At
the centre they believe that youth learn best when in an interactive and
fun environment, which is what the centre has to offer. Annually, they
welcome over 2,000 children to the facility for what is usually a
two-three day stay which includes nature hikes, story-telling and the
basics of conservation. This visit is not only educational; it allows
the children to have fond memories of outdoor experiences first hand.
The BBEEC was originally founded by Brother Augustus Brennan and for
years after was run by the Roman Catholic School Board. It is now
operated by the not-for-profit group, the Environmental Education
Commission and has seasonal and full-time staff.
Business or Industry Leader
Stirling Communications International
Stirling Communications International is a well-known media source in
this province. More than 60 years of delivering information to the
public the company has, on a corporate level, become environmental
stewards by focusing news stories around conservation and assisting in
giving environmental issues a voice. NTV produces and airs the MMSB
Green Reports and all four divisions � NTV, OZFM, Stirling Press and the
Newfoundland Herald � have implemented Going Green programs. Stirling
Press, in particular, has incorporated green initiatives into its
printing plants by using vegetable-based ink, enviro-friendly chemicals
and recycling tons of paper each week.
Municipality or Regional Waste Management Committee
Town of Portugal Cove-St. Philip�s
Portugal Cove-St. Philip�s has accomplished great strides on the
environmental front. The town has turned a waste management problem into
a success story. Being a coastal town, raw sewage disposal was seen as a
large issue; however, the town addressed the issue by building a state
of the art water/sewage treatment plant which ensures no solid waste is
released back into the ocean. Besides doing its part though waste
reduction, it also participates in Household Hazardous Waste collection
events, three beach cleanups each year and curbside recycling programs
with a multi-compartment collection truck. This town is committed to
keeping our province clean and green.
Lifetime Achievement
Dr. Jon Lien
Dr. Jon Lien is world-leader in marine mammal ecology and behaviour. His
grass-roots approach to solving the global problem of whale entanglement
in fishing nets has produced real results over an extended period of
time. The Whale Release Program solution seems so simple in hindsight