National Conservation Award Recipients Announced

OTTAWA, June 28, 2021 – The Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) is pleased to announce the recipients of the Canadian Conservation Achievement Awards. The eight national leaders are featured in the July/August issue of Canadian Wildlifemagazine, and represent outstanding achievements in diverse areas including education, arts, fisheries and legislation.

Honourable Blaine Pedersen of Elm Creek, MB receives the Canadian Legislator Award. A farmer for 30 years, he now serves as provincial Minister of Agriculture and Resource Development. Under his leadership the department has introduced significant reforms to modernize both recreational and commercial fisheries in the province to ensure long term sustainability of the fish population. The department has also invested over $200M in trust funds for conservation and wetland projects as well as piloting land use management policies for Manitoba’s Wildlife Management Areas. “It has been such a rewarding experience to be able to implement programs that enhance and safeguard Manitoba’s natural bounty not only for today but for generations to come.” Photo: Hon. Blaine Pedersen enjoying Manitoba’s vibrant fisheries.

Autumn Peltier of Ottawa, Ont. is presented the Wade Luzny Youth Conservation Award. Originally from the Wikwemikong First Nation on Manitoulin Island, Peltier has been a water protector since she was eight years old. She now attends high school in Ottawa. She has travelled across the country and internationally to advocate for clean drinking water in First Nations communities and across Mother Earth.

Shannon Chernick of Regina, Sask. is presented the Youth Mentor Award for designing self-guided family activities for Nature Saskatchewan during the pandemic lockdown. When restrictions lifted, she launched a Get Outside! Kids Club for children aged six to 12 and their siblings and caregivers. Her creative approaches, inspired by her two sons, helped many families find solace in nature during challenging times.

Fred Cheverie of Souris, P.E.I. is presented the Roland Michener Conservation Award. After a 30-year teaching career, Cheverie became a watershed coordinator of the Souris and area branch of the P.E.I. Wildlife Federation and board member of the provincial watershed alliance. Thanks to his “no-nonsense, ‘let’s get it done’ approach,” one nominator said, Cheverie “has influenced the entire evolution of conservation and stewardship on P.E.I.”

Leah Dorion of Prince Albert, Sask. is presented the Robert Bateman Award for Conservation through the Arts. A painter, filmmaker and writer, Dorion proudly showcases Métis culture through her art, teachings and leadership. “My late father instilled in me a love of the land and especially the river, she said. “He taught me to see and experience the land from his Métis value system, to be curious and observe the patterns and laws of nature.” Animals and elements are featured in her vivid and inspiring works, including outdoor installations created with youth from her community.

Leah Japp of Bethune, Sask takes home the Wild Educator of the Year award. As general manager of SaskOutdoors and a certified WILD Education facilitator, Japp found new ways to connect Canadians to nature during the pandemic. She developed the first online Project WILD workshop in Canada, reimagining wildlife education to meet the needs for online, outdoor and physically distanced classrooms. She is recognized for her plucky pioneering spirit, creativity and enduring optimism.

Mi’kmaw Conservation Group of Truro, N.S. wins the Roderick Haig-Brown Award for restoring vital tidal shorelines and clearing barriers that impede ecologically essential tidal flow from reaching upstream to nourish the salt marsh habitat. The Mi’kmaw Conservation Group is a program of the Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq in Nova Scotia, a tribal council and non-profit established in 1986 that assists its eight member communities in advancing “initiatives toward self-determination and enhancement of community.” This project is focused on creating restoration plans for 10 barriers on the Bay of Fundy.

Marcie Jacklin of Ontario’s Niagara Region is the Outdoor Person of the Year. A tireless and avid citizen scientist, she has participated in countless bird counts and surveys, all while mentoring and inspiring less experienced participants. She has also taken on active leadership roles on many boards of local and regional conservation organizations. She has co-authored numerous articles and publications and is currently the Niagara regional coordinator for the third Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas.

For more information visit CanadianWildlifeFederation.ca/awards.

About the Canadian Wildlife Federation:

The Canadian Wildlife Federation is a national, not-for-profit charitable organization dedicated to fostering awareness and appreciation of our natural world. By spreading knowledge of human impacts on the environment, carrying out research, developing and delivering education programs, promoting the sustainable use of natural resources, recommending changes to policy and co-operating with like-minded partners, CWF encourages a future in which Canadians can live in harmony with nature. For more information visit CanadianWildlifeFederation.ca.

-30-

For more information: media@cwf-fcf.org
Pamela Logan, Director of Communications, pamelal@cwf-fcf.org (613) 222-1405
Heather Robison, Media and Community Relations Officer, (613) 599-9594 x 212