Campbell River city councillor and acting mayor at this year’s Haig-Brown Festival Marlene Wright says it’s important to recognize those in our community who do their part to care for the natural environment that makes this such a great place to live.
At last weekend’s Haig-Brown Festival, held each year on the grounds of the Haig-Brown Heritage House beside the Campbell River, the 14th annual Campbell River Stewardship Award winners were announced, continuing the tradition of recognizing those who give back in conservation, preservation and environmental stewardship.
“Today we have had the presentation of the Stewardship Awards here, and I think it’s so appropriate that the celebration is held here on the Haig-Brown property, where two of our champions – Roderick Haig-Brown and Ann Elmore – Made Campbell River their home,” Wright said. “They’ve left us with such a rich legacy of justice and active community involvement.”
Wright said she was happy to be the acting mayor of the event, because she feels it’s important to recognize those in our community who make a difference in environmental sustainability and conservation.
“They are the ones who make our community healthier and more beautiful from an environmental perspective, and I thank them so much.”
One of those winners was retired Department of Fisheries and Oceans community advisor Barry Peters, who won this years’ Environmental Excellence Award for his work within the community.
Peters has been involved in numerous volunteer environmental projects since his retirement.
Most recently, he spurred the work to get a new footbridge over Nunn’s Creek to replace an older, unsafe span.
“I am very honoured,” Peters says. “People keep talking about my career, but I got paid to do all that,” he joked.
“I just hope that people still see the value of volunteerism,” he said. “I think there are many excellent volunteers within this community. It’s one of the things, I think, that Campbell River is known for. When things have to be done, you can always just ask around and people show up.”
While Peters is just wrapping up his career, another award winner is just getting hers started.
Timberline grad Courtney Wilson received the Tom Easton Remembrance Bursary, which she will use towards her studies at Douglas College in New Westminster. She is currently undertaking a bachelor of environmental sciences degree after working this summer at the Discovery Passage Aquarium.
A full list of awards recipients should be available soon at campbellriver.ca.