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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