Greening Nipissing and Wildcats win 2012 annual Environmental Awards

North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority
News Release

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The North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority (NBMCA) announced today the recipients of its 2012 annual Environmental Awards. The Dorothy Walford Memorial Environmental Award will be presented to Greening Nipissing, while Widdifield Secondary School’s Garden Team was selected as the recipient of the Ward Smith Environmental Youth Award.

Greening Nipissing’s initiatives have been ongoing for 10 years. In collaboration with partners, they educate, promote and encourage environmentally friendly practices for individuals, organizations and businesses in North Bay and area. This has been done through Pet Waste Digester, Rain Garden and Rain Barrel workshops. They have hosted water walks, tours, Eco-Fair & Seed Exchange, Greening Screenings, Well Aware program and many more initiatives.
The Widdifield Secondary School Youth Gardening Team designed, created, planted and harvested produce from their school garden for the last two years. This garden was designed around the Seven Grandfathers teachings to honor First Nations. Next they will be adding a rain garden and a swale for water management.

“NBMCA has partnered with Greening Nipissing on several projects throughout the year” says Brian Tayler, CAO North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority. “Their unique approach to environmental issues in the watershed is commendable ”.

The Dorothy Walford Memorial Environmental 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 receive 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 29, 2012 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 balance human needs with the environmental needs of the region's watershed. The NBMCA is one of 36 Conservation Authorities who are members of Conservation Ontario.

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