NLIS 4
June 6, 2005
(Environment and Conservation)


16th Annual Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Awards presented

The 16th Annual Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Awards were announced today during a ceremony at the Admirals Green Clubhouse in St. John�s. The ceremony was held to kick off Environment Week June 5 - 11. Tom Osborne, Minister of Environment and Conservation, Barbara Taylor, president-elect of the Newfoundland and Labrador Women�s Institutes (NLWI), and John Scott, chairman and CEO of the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board (MMSB) presented the awards to the recipients.

Minister Osborne congratulated this year's winners and thanked them for their efforts in protecting and preserving the environment. "This year�s winners are indeed deserving of their awards, and I applaud them for their dedication and commitment to our environment and natural heritage. I encourage others to nominate someone they feel should be acknowledged for their outstanding contributions to the environment. I also wish to encourage everyone to do something positive during Environment Week. Together, we can make a difference and enhance our natural environment for the future."

The environmental awards are presented to individuals and groups who make an exceptional effort to create a healthier environment and to help promote and encourage environmentally friendly practices. Award winners also receive a $100 honorarium from MMSB, to be used to continue their environmental projects. Awards are presented in six categories. This year�s winners are:

  • Individual: Diane Eastman, Carmanville
  • Community Group or Organization: Project Green, Memorial University, St. John�s
  • Youth or Youth Group (2 winners): Stephen Foster, Corner Brook and Christopher Downey, Doyles
  • School or Educational Institution: MUN Botanical Garden, St. John�s
    Honourable Mention: Stephenville Primary School, Stephenville
  • Municipality or Regional Waste Management Committee: Town of Botwood
  • Business: Central East Health Care Institutions Board - Central Regional Integrated Health Authority

"The Newfoundland and Labrador Women�s Institutes are proud to be involved in the Annual Provincial Environmental Awards Program and to see the excellent calibre of the individuals and groups who were nominated for awards this year," said Shirley Fraize, President of Women�s Institutes. "Our province is fortunate to have so many people dedicated to the preservation, protection and enhancement of the environment."

"As proud partners in the provincial environmental awards program, the MMSB congratulates the winners and all those who were nominated this year," said John Scott. "The number of people nominated this year shows us the dedication and commitment the people of Newfoundland and Labrador have for the environment."

The Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Awards Program is a joint initiative of the Department of Environment and Conservation, NLWI and MMSB. The Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Awards Program honours our outstanding leaders in environment and conservation. The environmental awards are a public acknowledgment of the initiative, dedication and hard work that individuals, communities, schools and organizations have put into caring for our environment and the wise use of our natural heritage.

Media contact:
Tina Coffey, Department of Environment and Conservation , (709) 729-5783, 728-8650
Sylvia Manning, NLWI, (709) 753-8780

BACKGROUNDER

INDIVIDUAL:
Diane Eastman

Diane has demonstrated a deep commitment to environmental issues through her tireless efforts toward wildlife and habitat conservation in the Carmanville area.

Her efforts to preserve Carmanville Pond and the surrounding wetland have ensured the survival of important nesting and feeding habitat for a wide range of bird species that visit the area. Diane was a key figure in the establishment of a Municipal Wetlands Stewardship agreement with the Province. The implementation of this agreement has not only protected the wetlands, but the related construction of a network of trails and interpretive centre have also had a tremendous impact on the community. The spin-offs have enhanced environmental awareness, created employment and tapped new potential for tourism.

Diane has a great passion for her community, Newfoundland and Labrador and the preservation of our environment.

COMMUNITY GROUP OR ORGANIZATION:
MUN Project Green

Memorial University�s Project Green is the winner in the Community Group or Organization Category.

MUN Project Green was started in 2002 by Diana Cordosa, an Environmental Studies graduate student. Currently, the group is supported by other key stakeholders within the campus community, including the faculty, student union and facilities management. Spearheaded by students, bi-weekly meetings at the St. John�s campus provide a forum to discuss issues and organize projects related to climate change, recycling and environmental education.

This organization runs a number of great environmental programs, including:

  • Dump and Run Program
  • Newsprint Recycling
  • Bridges and Branches - An environmental radio show on campus
  • Lug-A-Mug
  • People and Planet Fair

For their continued support of the environment and dedication to improving life for their campus community, we are pleased to award the Community Group or Organization Award to MUN Project Green.

YOUTH OR YOUTH GROUP:
Stephen Foster, Humber Elementary School
Christopher Downey, Belanger Memorial High School

This year, there is a tie for first place. The committee is proud to present Stephen Foster and Christopher Downey with this year�s Youth or Youth Group award.

Stephen Foster has played an integral role in the recycling program at Humber Elementary in Corner Brook over the last four years. Responsible for the collection and preparation of beverage containers, Stephen has also educated his fellow students. He has helped his school raise funds through MMSB�s school matching program, but most importantly, he has played a key role in reducing the amount of waste generated by his school.

Christopher Downey has been working hard for the past six years to make the recycling program a great success at Belanger Memorial High School in Doyles. His dedication has allowed Belanger Memorial to benefit from the funds raised and his positive influence has helped to educate his fellow students, who also take the message to the community at large.

Both Stephen and Christopher, with their dedicated teachers, are wonderful ambassadors for the environment.

SCHOOL OR EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION:
MUN Botanical Garden (St. John�s)
Honourable Mention - Stephenville Primary School (Stephenville)

Stephenville Primary School has been given an Honourable Mention in this years School or Educational Institution category. In addition to a successful beverage container recycling program, students participated in the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup. Integrating this event with curriculum objectives that focus on ocean conservation and environmental awareness, teachers, parent volunteers and students from Stephenville Primary have taken these lessons into the community with great success.

This year�s winner in the School or Educational Institution Category is the MUN Botanical Garden.

Since 1971, thousands of Newfoundland school children have participated in the Botanical Garden�s award-winning curriculum-based school programs. Educational and family oriented programming includes Junior Naturalist camps, Nature Detectives, Nature Tots, Sunday Birdwatching and Family Days. A variety of horticulture and art workshops, lectures and tours are offered throughout the year at the Botanical Garden.

The Botanical Garden has taken a lead role in the promotion of and education about the benefits of backyard composting. Their very successful compost education program and related activities during National Compost Week are a shining example of the importance that community education initiatives play in our efforts to reduce waste.

The dedicated staff and volunteers at the MUN Botanical Garden are deserving recipients of this award.

MUNICIPALITY OR REGIONAL WASTE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE:
The Town of Botwood

The Town of Botwood is this years winner in the Municipality or Regional Waste Management Committee Category.

Some of the town�s successes to date include:

  • closure of the town dump and incinerator
  • successful setup of a waste transfer station and trucking system to utilize the regional waste site in New Bay
  • a municipal composting program
  • excellent community support for recycling, clean-up and tree planting programs

BUSINESS:
Central East Health Care Institutions Board

This year�s award in the business category is presented to the Central East Health Care Institutions Board.

In accordance with the Central East Health Care (CEHC) Institutions Board mission statement, a number of environmental initiatives were undertaken in 2004.

Some highlights of these initiatives include:

  • a boiler retrofit at the James Paton Memorial Hospital
  • the purchase and installation of a solvent recycler for use in the laboratory
  • hiring of a Waste Management Co-ordinator to develop and promote waste management and environmental programs

These actions have benefitted staff, patients and the community. A reduction in air pollution, active participation to reuse and recycle with a solvent recycler, and the promotion of waste management and environmental awareness at all facilities are excellent achievements. The CEHC continues to progress in the implementation of modern waste management practices.

In recognition of these efforts, we are pleased to present the Business Award to the Central East Health Care Institutions Board.

2005 06 06                                    12:15 p.m.
 


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