A group of Prince Edward Island citizens who have made an outstanding contribution to the Island environment were honoured at a special ceremony at Government House Monday evening.
Minister of Environment, Energy and Forestry Jamie Ballem marked the start of Environment Week with the presentation of the 2005 Prince Edward Island Environmental Awards. The awards recognize the environmental efforts of individuals, businesses, educators, citizen groups and youth.
-Described as a long-time supporter of environmental stewardship in Prince Edward Island and a true conservationist, Lorne Keizer of Charlottetown received the Environmental Award for Individual Citizen.
-Maritime Electric received the Environmental Award in the Business category for its outstanding efforts to protect the osprey, a fish hawk which was once on the verge of extinction.
-In the Citizen Group or Organization category, the Nature Conservancy of Canada was recognized for its longstanding commitment to land acquisition and protection in Prince Edward Island.
-The Environmental Award for Education was presented to Island Nature Trust for its dedication to environmental education and the ingenuity of its education projects.
-Julie Matheson and Willie Horne, Grade 11 students at Charlottetown Rural High School, were recipients of the Environmental Award for Youth, recognizing individuals under the age of 25 who are making an outstanding contribution to a healthy environment.
“While their contributions are varied, the Environmental Award recipients have one thing in common,” said Minister Ballem. “They have all made it a priority to do their part to protect and enhance our environment in Prince Edward Island. And, they are truly making a difference. I thank them for their efforts.”
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 Ballem thanked the selection committee and all Islanders who took the time to recognize the efforts of their friends and neighbours by submitting a nomination.
BACKGROUNDER
Individual Citizens: Lorne Keizer
A long-time supporter of environmental stewardship in Prince Edward Island, Lorne Keizer has led by example in his conservation efforts. He was one of the first people in Prince Edward Island to practise catch-and-release fishing; he has always respected landowners’ rights to allow or deny access to private property; and he has lived by the credo that you leave the land as you found it. Active in stream enhancement, Mr. Keizer led considerable work on the Winter River watershed and he has been an active member of the PEI Wildlife Federation since the late 1950s.
Business or Government Agency: Maritime Electric
Maritime Electric has played an important role in the successful recovery of the osprey, a fish hawk which was once on the verge of extinction. One of the favourite places for the osprey to nest is on power poles. This nest building can short out the lines and cause electrical blackouts and fires. Working in cooperation with provincial conservation officers, Maritime Electric has designed and installed alternate nesting platforms to encourage osprey to nest away from the lines. The utility also leaves poles from abandoned lines in strategic locations for the osprey to nest.
Citizen Group or Organization: Nature Conservancy of Canada
The Nature Conservancy of Canada has been actively helping to acquire nature areas in Prince Edward Island since 1984 when it financially assisted the Island Nature Trust with the purchase of its first property at Blooming Point. Since then, the Nature Conservancy has assisted Island Nature Trust in acquiring and protecting other major properties with contributions ranging from $700 to three of $20,000. It has also been involved with land acquisition at 20 additional projects on the Island and since 2004 has included Prince Edward Island is in its annual “Gifts to Canadians” campaign.
Education: Island Nature Trust
The Island Nature Trust has been heavily involved in educational projects both for schools and the general public since its inception. In 2004 alone, Nature Trust staff and volunteers were guest speakers at schools and other venues 103 times. Educational efforts have included the Piping Plover education project on Island beaches; classroom projects such as Adopt an Eagle and an acorn growing project; and presentations and trail walks for the Elder Hostel program in Charlottetown, and for similar program in Abrams Village and through the North Shore Institute.
Youth: Julie Matheson and Willie Horne
Grade 11 students at Charlottetown Rural High School, Julie Matheson and Willie Horne impressed members of the Special Legislative Committee on Climate Change this past year with a well-developed and creative presentation. Represented by Julie and Willie, Charlottetown Rural was the only school to respond to the invitation to present to the committee. The two Grade 11 students are also members of the Charlottetown Rural Envirothon team and spent a considerable amount of time outside of their regular academic commitments preparing for this annual environmental competition between Island high schools.