A group of Prince Edward Island citizens who have enhanced the Island environment through their business practices and community efforts were recognized at a special ceremony at Government House Monday night.
Minister of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Environment Chester Gillan presented the 2002 Prince Edward Island Environmental Awards. This year, the following Islanders were honoured:
• Individual Citizen, recognizing exemplary efforts by Island citizens to protect, preserve or enhance the environment: Dingwell Family and Mo Dhaicdh Farms.
• Business or Government Agency, recognizing organizations that provide services, products or labour that have low environmental impact and act as a model for sustainable economic activity: Prince Edward Island Energy Corporation.
• Citizen Group or Organization, recognizing grassroots groups that make a special commitment to PEI's environment: Prince Edward Island Wildlife Federation.
• Education, recognizing outstanding environmental efforts by groups or individuals in the areas of academia or public education: Louis Daley.
• Youth, recognizing individuals under the age of 25 who have made an outstanding contribution to a healthy environment: Summerside Boys and Girls Club.
"This year's recipients clearly demonstrate how we can all make a difference when it comes to protecting and enhancing the environment," said Minister Gillan. "Whether it is by adopting environmentally-friendly business practices, instilling an appreciation of the importance of the environment in others, or carrying out community projects, all of the recipients have made the environment a priority in their daily lives."
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 five recipients.
Minister Gillan thanked the selection committee and recognized all of this year's nominees for their efforts.
"We are fortunate that so many Island citizens, of all ages and from all walks of life, work tirelessly to protect and enhance the environment. They are truly making a difference in the quality of life of all Prince Edward Island residents," the Minister added.
PROFILE OF 2002 AWARD RECIPIENTS
Individual Citizens: Dingwell Family and Mo Dhaicdh Farms
The Dingwell family has been farming in the community of Midgell, just east of Morell, for more than 125 years. Today, three Dingwell brothers, Rodney, Brian, and Blois, as well as Rodney's son Scott, manage the diversified family farm with a strong focus on sustainability. The Dingwells have designated environmentally-sensitive areas of their farm as protected. They were one of the first to complete an Environmental Farm Plan and to participate in the Agriculture and Environmental Resource Conservation program. The family has long practised conservation techniques such as a minimum three-year crop rotation, strip cropping on areas sensitive to soil erosion, and maintaining buffer zones along watercourses and natural areas. In addition, the Dingwells are involved in manure and nutrient management planning to preserve water resources, and they have developed a method of composting livestock and using the compost as a valuable soil amendment.
Business or Government Agency: Prince Edward Island Energy Corporation
The expansion of the North Cape Wind Farm by the Prince Edward Island Energy Corporation has been an unqualified success. In November 2001, eight 660 kilowatt Vestas wind turbines began producing 19 million kilowatt hours of "green power" for Prince Edward Islanders. This means that two percent of the Island's electricity needs are being met by the wind farm. That is enough electricity to supply 2,300 homes. The expanded wind farm will displace approximately 15,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually, helping to reduce a major cause of global climate change.
Education: Louis Daley
A long-time teacher in the PEI education system, Mr. Louis Daley instilled in students an appreciation for the importance of their environment. He developed and taught a conservation course at Morell Regional High School which focussed on ecology, firearms safety and plant and animal identification; he was instrumental in encouraging the development of such outdoor activities as an annual graduating class canoe trip, cross-country skiing, skeet shooting and the sport of orienteering; and his biology courses often included an outdoor segment with the environment as a central theme. Mr. Daley's efforts influenced former students who pursued a career in education to teach environmental issues in their classrooms, while many other former students have pursued careers in various aspects of environmental studies.
Citizen Group or Organization: Prince Edward Island Wildlife Federation
The Prince Edward Island Wildlife Federation originated in 1906 as the Prince Edward Island Fish and Game Protection Association. Today, this premiere nature organization has four branches across the province in Souris, Central Queens, North Queens and O'Leary and is the largest membership-based conservation group in Prince Edward Island. Over the years, the PEI Wildlife Federation has sponsored deserving post secondary students who wish to pursue studies in conservation related topics; supported numerous worthy wildlife projects; and has been vocal on such environmental issues as irrigation, pesticide use, buffer zones for riparian areas, and groundwater protection. As well, the Federation was one of the founders of the Island Nature Trust and was instrumental in getting the Wildlife Conservation Fund established.
Youth: The Summerside Boys and Girls Club
Since 1963, the Summerside Boys and Girls Club has sought to help children and youth become fulfilled individuals through participation in innovative, educational, and structured skill development activities. Chief among these has been an emphasis on the importance of enhancing and protecting the natural environment. The Club has initiated a "Kids of the Environment" Program, and youth volunteers have devoted their time and efforts to recycling drives, rails-to-trails maintenance, and litter clean-up campaigns. Also, in one of its more recent projects, the Club secured funding to successfully implement an $80,000 enhancement of the Summerside Rotary Friendship Park. This six-month project developed an inner city natural area, as well as a new playground and picnic area for the community.