Conservation Authority announces 2009 environmental award recipients

North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority
News Release

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The North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority (NBMCA) announced today the recipients of its 2009 annual conservation awards. The Dorothy Walford Memorial Award will be presented to Jocelyn Palm, owner and director of Glen Bernard Camp, while Almaguin Highlands Secondary School's "Green Team" was selected as the 2009 recipient of the NBMCA's Ward Smith Environmental Youth Award

Since 1977, Jocelyn Palm has been the owner of Glen Bernard Camp where she has made a significant commitment to environmental sustainability in all aspects of the camp facilities and programs. This past year the Living Lightly Lab was built and is used as an environmental education centre designed to teach youth about renewable energy, environmental sustainability and stewardship.

Almaguin Highlands Secondary School's "Green Team" is a group of dedicated students who have concerns about the environment and volunteer their time to work on projects around the school and the community to help the environment.

"It is very important for youth today to become active and aware of environmental issues in their area" says Brian Tayler, General Manager, North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority. "The work that these youth are doing is very important to the health of the environment and the community".

The Dorothy Walford Memorial Award is presented to an individual or group in recognition of their significant and valuable contribution through word, thought, effort or deed to the conservation, preservation or enhancement of the natural environment at the local level. The award was created by Pollution Probe of North Bay in 1971. It was named in memory of Dorothy Walford, a local conservationist dedicated to increasing environmental consciousness.

The Ward Smith Environmental Youth Award was established by the North Bay - Mattawa Conservation Authority in 1993 as a companion award to the Dorothy Walford Memorial Award. It has been named to pay tribute to Ward Smith, Chairman of the North Bay - Mattawa Conservation Authority from 1978 through 1991. The Ward Smith Environmental Youth Award is presented to an individual or group as a token of appreciation for youth interest and involvement in the protection, improvement and/or conservation of the natural environment at the local level.

All nominees in both categories received letters of appreciation from the North Bay - Mattawa Conservation Authority. The award winners will be honoured at a formal award presentation and celebration on Thursday, November 26, 2009 in North Bay.

The North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority (NBMCA) was founded in 1972 by the Province of Ontario and the NBMCA's 10 member municipalities. A non-profit organisation, the NBMCA works closely with the public to ensure the environmental health of the region's watershed. The NBMCA is one of 36 Conservation Authorities who are members of Conservation Ontario.

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