OTTAWA, ON—(Marketwired – June 25, 2015) – The Canadian Wildlife Federation is pleased to announce the eight recipients of its Conservation Achievement Awards. Every year, CWF recognizes Canada's most–deserving conservationists through its awards program. The awards pay tribute to individuals and groups who have made exemplary contributions in the area of wildlife and habitat conservation and education. The awards will be presented at the Canadian Wildlife Federation Awards Banquet on Saturday, June 27 in Saint John, New Brunswick.
“This year's recipients are truly talented individuals and groups who have devoted their lives and passion to helping Canada's amazing wildlife and natural spaces,” says Wade Luzny, CWF CEO and Executive Vice–President. “It's a small gesture in–comparison to what they've done, but we are honoured to award these great individuals through CWF's Conservation Achievement Awards.”
The 2015 CWF Conservation Achievement Award recipients are:
Robert Bateman Award – Brent Cooke
For any group or individual who brings awareness to conservation through artistic work
A marine biology technician by training and a skilled underwater photographer, Cooke has made valuable contributions to science including mapping the ranges of various marine species and collecting more than 14,000 underwater photographs for the Royal British Columbia Museum, including images of species not previously known to live in B.C. waters. He made the transition to sculpture in 1999, when he began casting bronze sculptures of birds and marine wildlife, basing his work on his field photography. Since then, he has used his art to promote wildlife conservation and natural history to the public at large.
Youth Conservation Award – Alana Krug–MacLeod
Recognizing the contribution of individual youths or youth groups to wildlife or habitat conservation projects
A Grade 12 student from Saskatoon now studying at the Pearson United World College in Metchosin, B.C., Krug–MacLeod's environmental and conservation achievements include creating Project Penguin and Polar Protectors to raise awareness about issues facing the North and South poles, as well as creating three websites around wildlife protection and biodiversity and four projects for Saskatchewan's Caring for our Watersheds Competition.
Stan Hodgkiss Canadian Outdoorsperson of the Year Award – Dave Dagley
In recognition of Canadian outdoorspeople who have demonstrated an active commitment to conservation
Dagley has been a force in conservation efforts throughout southwestern Nova Scotia, where he has spent more than 30 years as secretary of Queen's County Fish and Game Association. As one of the anchors of the conservation community in his region, Dagley served as founding director on the board that oversees the UNESCO Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve. He was also a member of a group that founded the Mersey Tobeatic Research Institute, and participated in successful lobbying efforts to establish provincial protected wilderness areas.
Youth Mentor Award – Groupe uni des éducateurs–naturalistes et professionnels en environnement
Honouring an individual or group that creates, presents or encourages conservation, habitat or wildlife programs to youth
Established in 1991, the Montreal–based Groupe uni des éducateurs–naturalistes et professionnels en environnement (GUEPE), has grown to become a leader in the field of delivering environmental and natural science education programs to children between the ages of five and 12 in Québec. Employing experienced naturalist and skilled communicators, it offers hands–on class workshops and education outings to students in 12 school boards, trains teachers, and runs nature and science summer camps where children learn about the environment and wildlife.
Doug Clark Memorial Award – Nova Scotia Federation of Anglers and Hunters
Presented to a CWF affiliate for the most outstanding conservation project completed during the previous year by its membership
While not generally considered a species at–risk in Canada, the Nova Scotia mainland moose population is listed as Endangered under provincial law. Nova Scotia maintains a multi–faceted effort to protect moose populations, including scientific research and public outreach. Community–based groups including the Nova Scotia Federation of Anglers and Hunters also make significant contributions. In 2014, they were approached by the province to help re–build ramps over a floating bog in Cumberland County, where moose had been drowning. The Federation bought all the building material necessary and assembled a work crew to replace the ramps. Ongoing monitoring demonstrates their success with a drop in the number of moose drownings.
Roderick Haig–Brown Award – Jacques Héroux
Awarded to individuals for their contribution to conservation and wise use of recreational fisheries in Canada
Born in Cabano, Québec, Héroux moved to Dieppe, New Brunswick as an adult and, over the past 30 years, has become an expert on angling for salmon on its rivers, including the Miramichi. One of the region's best known fly tyers, his creations have been published in books, journals and on websites, won international awards. In 1998, he founded the Dieppe Fly Tying Club that now boasts 50 members and is the host of the annual Fly Fishing Forum, the largest flyfishing show in eastern Canada. While the main objective of the forum is to promote the sport of fly fishing and attract underrepresented groups like women and youth to this activity, in the past 12 years the forum has also distributed more than $100,000 to conservation and river associations.
Roland Michener Conservation Award – Donald McAlpine
Honouring the commitment by an individual to promote and enhance the conservation of Canada's natural resources
With decades of experience as a field biologist, curator and scientist, McAlpine has unequalled experience in the region's natural systems, making him one of New Brunswick's best assets in work toward the goals of conservation. Perhaps best known for his work with colleague Karen Vanderwolf in discovering the arrival of white–nose syndrome in the province, he is also an author, scientist, public speaker and leader of events such as bio–blitzes. Last year's blitz in Grand Lake Meadows, an area set aside to protect biodiversity in New Brunswick, led to the discovery of an invasive species known as the Chinese mystery snail and identified a fungus that grows on lichens that is new to North America.
Past Presidents' Canadian Legislator Award – Dave Single
Honouring an elected legislator for contributions to the conservation of wildlife in Canada
Last year, the province of Manitoba entered into an agreement — the largest of its kind in the province's history — to protect Big Grass Marsh, a 45,000–acre wetland that is an important staging area for migrating birds. David Single, the reeve for the rural municipality of Westbourne, was an important part of this achievement as the agreement is based largely on the donation of land by Westbourne and its neighbouring rural municipality, Lakeview, along with a donation of provincial Crown land. As a result of the deal, the marshland is now protected from development.
About the Canadian Wildlife Federation
The Canadian Wildlife Federation is a national, not–for–profit charitable organization dedicated to fostering awareness and appreciation of our natural world. By spreading knowledge of human impacts on the environment, sponsoring research, developing and delivering education programs, promoting the sustainable use of natural resources, recommending changes to policy and co–operating with like–minded partners, CWF encourages a future in which Canadians can live in harmony with nature. For more information visit CanadianWildlifeFederation.ca.