A group of Prince Edward Island citizens were recognized today for their outstanding contribution to protecting and enhancing our Island environment. Minister of Environment, Energy and Forestry George Webster presented the 2007 Prince Edward Island Environmental Awards during a special ceremony at Government House, hosted by Lieutenant Governor Barbara A. Hagerman.
“It is important to take time to recognize all of the good work that is being done for our environment every day in households, schools, communities and businesses throughout the province,” said Minister Webster. “This year’s recipients of the Environmental Awards are making a tremendous contribution to our quality of life in Prince Edward Island. Each of the award recipients is taking action in their own way. But they all share a commitment to our environment. They are all making a difference.”
Recipients of the 2007 Prince Edward Island Environmental Awards are:
• Patrick Ross’ Grade 5/6 class at St. Teresa’s Consolidated School, for spearheading a project to save electricity, heat, water and paper in the school.
• Dave Biggar, in recognition and in memory of his outstanding contribution to our Island environment. Mr. Biggar, who died earlier this year, was described as the greatest environmental advocate in Prince County over the last two decades.
• Waldron Leard, for sharing his passion and respect for our environment with countless others through his website – Eastern Kings, PEI, Meeting Place.
• Gary Fournier, for his commitment to protecting and enhancing the Winter River watershed through his work with the Winter River Environmental Committee.
• Students and staff of Southern Kings Consolidated School, for their hard work and dedication in the development of the Southern Kings Nature Trail.
Nominations for the Environmental Awards were received from across the province. A selection committee comprised of members of the Minister's Environmental Advisory Council had the difficult task of reviewing the nominations and recommending the recipients. Minister Webster thanked the selection committee and all Islanders who took the time to nominate someone for an award.
RECIPIENTS OF THE 2007 PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND ENVIRONMENTAL AWARDS
Patrick Ross’ Grade 5/6 class at St. Teresa’s Consolidated School:
Last year, Grade 5/6 students at St. Teresa’s undertook an environment project to reduce their school’s impact on the environment. The students identified four key aspects of daily practices in the school where small changes could net significant savings for our environment. The class then organized into four teams to take action in each of those areas: Team Paper, Team Heat, Team Water and Team Electricity. The Grade 5/6 had a positive influence on their families, teachers and fellow students. One of the nominators, a teacher at the school, wrote: “We learned that small things add up to significant changes! As a staff, we are all more conscious of our practices, attitudes and efforts to demonstrate responsible environmental management. We believe the Grade 5/6 class is deserving of recognition as they have become a catalyst for change in our school.”
Dave Biggar:
Dave Biggar is described as the greatest environmental advocate in Prince County over the last two decades. He was the driving force behind stream enhancement work on the Mill and Trout Rivers, even giving up his plumbing business during the summers to work in the streams. In later years, Mr. Biggar concentrated his stream enhancement efforts on the Trout River, and over the years, transformed the river into a destination for many anglers. To ensure public access, he got permission from landowners along the river and constructed a wheelchair accessible trail. He also secured funds for the “Cabin,” an interpretive centre from which to base activities and make the public more aware of conservation initiatives. Among his many other achievements, Mr. Biggar was involved in developing a semi-natural rearing system for salmon, which formed the basis for the initial success of the salmon fishery; he established one of the first non-provincial wildlife management areas in the province; he promoted a fish stocking and tagging program that demonstrated the success of semi-natural rearing of brook trout; and he supported organic farmers in Prince Edward Island. Mr. Biggar inspired others to take action and worked with and encouraged several groups in Prince County, sharing his expertise and often loaning them experienced staff and equipment to get started.
Waldron Leard:
Mr. Leard is a long-time environmental advocate who has made protecting the environment part of his everyday life. But what really separates him is the work he has done in the development of his website – Eastern Kings, PEI, Meeting Place. Each day, Mr. Leard takes photos of environmental scenes that serve as a daily record of the natural ecology in Eastern Kings. Updated daily, the website includes pages on wildlife, outdoor activities and the land and sea. It is a forum where Mr. Leard spreads positive environmental messages on topics such as recycling, littering, wildlife and environmental stewardship. One example is this message on the front page of the website: “A child once said the Seven Wonders of the World were to see, to touch, to feel, to hear, to taste, to laugh and to love. See the colours, touch only with your eyes, feel the wind, listen to the waves and taste the salt air. Create sunshine with your joy, smiles and laughter. Show your love for earth and fellow man by conserving, preserving and protecting.”
Gary Fournier:
Mr. Fournier is well-known for his work with the Winter River Environmental Committee. The group is dedicated to preserve and protect the Winter River watershed which is the source of water for a large portion of the Island population – all of those in the greater Charlottetown area. Mr. Fournier was instrumental in launching the Winter River Restoration Project. Over the years, he has led stream enhancement initiatives and worked to enhance the Hardy Mill Pond area with walking paths, a revitalized boat ramp and a wheelchair accessible observation and fishing platform. Working with students on summer projects, Mr. Fournier has inspired these young people to care for their environment. He has also been very successful in engaging the community through forums such as Winter River Activity Days which feature canoe orienteering challenges, fly fishing lessons, skates at Hardy Mill Pond and other outdoor activities.
Southern Kings Consolidated School:
Students and staff of Southern Kings Consolidated School were recognized for their work in developing the Southern Kings Nature Trail. Opened last June, the 2.2-kilometre trail serves as a unique outdoor classroom and a year-round exercise and entertainment facility for outdoor activities such as cross-country running, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. The project involved many hours of planning and a great deal of physical labour to build the trail. The staff, students and parents at Southern Kings garnered the support of local landowners, the Beck and Hicken families, whose property borders the school, and built partnerships with the community, non-profit and conservation groups and government. The school community took ownership of this project. That sense of ownership resulted in greater involvement, an increase in knowledge and greater understanding of our environment.