North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority
News Release
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Alliston - Jean-Marc Filion was awarded a prestigious provincial environmental leadership award today at the Latornell Conservation Symposium in Alliston.
“Jean-Marc has been an instrumental and influential member of our watershed’s environmental community as a teacher, scientist, collaborator, steward and advocate,” said Brian Tayler, CAO of the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority which nominated Filion for the award.
The Latornell Leadership Award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated leadership accomplishments in the conservation field.
It was presented during the Latornell Conservation Symposium, one of Ontario’s premier annual environmental events.
It provides a forum for practitioners, policy makers, nongovernment organizations, academics and businesses to network and discuss the challenges and opportunities in Ontario’s conservation field.
“The quality that really distinguishes Jean-Marc as a leader and educator is his ability to translate scientific findings to common language that help raise public awareness of the issues affecting the North Bay watersheds,” said Don Pearson who presented the award on behalf of the Latornell Awards Committee.
In nominating Filion, NBMCA acknowledged his prolific and staunch advocacy for the health and sustainability North Bay area watersheds.
His advocacy work in the areas of aquatic eco-system health and environmental protection has been an important voice, influencing other environmental groups and decision makers.
“Jean-Marc has always been and remains a positive force behind public involvement and education. His input on environmental issues reflects thoughtful investigation and concern for the overall health of the watershed, while recognizing the economic and social impacts on our community,” added Tayler.
Filion has served as President of the Lake Nipissing Partners in Conservation, Secretary of North Bay Hunters and Anglers, and Vice President/Newsletter Editor/Fisheries Chair of the Trout Lake Conservation Association.
Among other initiatives, he has tracked the proliferation of the invasive spiny water flea in the Lake Nipissing ecosystem, reported on its impact, and raised public awareness about the importance of minimizing the transport of invasive species between watersheds.
He has helped develop tools and technologies that have been of assistance in scientific study.
Filion has been a researcher and advisor to a variety of peer reviewed scientific papers as well as common language information bulletins for the general public on environmental issues.
As a secondary school science teacher (now retired), he has inspired youth in environmental science, his students winning national and international awards for their projects and research.
He has taught at the university level and been granted an honorary doctorate degree, Faculty of Education at Nipissing University.
He has received a number of awards including The Canadian Healthy Environment Award, the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority's Environmental Award and the Commemorative Medal for the Queen’s Golden Jubilee.
In addition, he has acted as a French media liaison for the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario on the release of a variety of reports.
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 organization, 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.
