The late Saanich councillor Vic Derman led the list of winners as Saanich awarded its 18th annual 2017 Environmental Awards.
Derman, , posthumously received the award for Long Term Achievement for his B次元官网网址渓eadership in environmental stewardship and advocacy for climate change action.B次元官网网址� His wife Lauraine and daughter Michelle Derman received the award Monday in Municipal Hall.
In his , Coun. Leif Wergeland recalled DermanB次元官网网址檚 work as the founding director and vice-president of the Land Conservancy of British Columbia and president of the North Quadra Community Association. In this role, he fought for the preservation of Christmas Hill.
Starting in 2002, Derman served on Saanich council, where he worked to improve the local cycling and pedestrian network. In 2004, he started and chaired the international B次元官网网址淲ater in the CityB次元官网网址� conference.
B次元官网网址淰ic Derman passed away earlier this year but will be remembered as an environmental champion who fought tirelessly for the natural environment and climate,B次元官网网址� said Wergeland. B次元官网网址淗is legacy is an inspiration for all Saanich residents.B次元官网网址�
Audience members attending the award ceremony rose to their feet when Wergeland announced that DermanB次元官网网址檚 wife and daughter would accept the award and gave them a standing ovation as they accepted the award from Mayor Richard Atwell.
Another notable moment occurred after Natalie and David Chambers, co-owners of Madrona Farm, received the award for Sustainability. The couple received their award for promoting local food security, organic food growing as well as habitat and soil preservation. David Chambers used the occasion to invite Joan Morris, a Songhees Nations elder, to participate in the award ceremony, and used it to give a passionate speech in which he lamented the destruction of the natural environment and demanded far-reaching changes in urban planning.
Chambers also , while discussing Blenkinsop Lake.
B次元官网网址淭here was a silent spring this year,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淏lenkinsop Lake no longer has any native frogs anymore.B次元官网网址� Describing this silence as a B次元官网网址渧ery, very, very badB次元官网网址� omen, Chambers then praised the conservation efforts of the award winners. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 really neat to see all of these people, who are involved in conservation efforts, because we really have to protect the native species.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淪o if you donB次元官网网址檛 know what is eating all the frogs,B次元官网网址� Chambers said with dramatic pause while opening up a yellow bag, B次元官网网址渋t is that one,B次元官网网址� as he held up a dead bullfrog to the gasping audience. B次元官网网址淓veryone of these will drop 12,000 eggs. So it is time for everybody to start thinking about stewardship in their own backyard.B次元官网网址�
ChambersB次元官网网址� appeal comes as his wife Natalie, who did not speak, is one of two declared candidates running for the council seat left vacant since the death of Derman. Rebecca Mersereau, who was in the audience Monday, is also running for the seat.
Winona Pugh, an active member of the Friends of Tod Creek Watershed, won the award for Individual Environment Achievement.
B次元官网网址淲inona is tireless as she continues to inspire and share with others: leading tours of natural areas, aquatic plant surveys, invasive species removal and community events as well as promoting environmental stewardship through writing and as an artist,B次元官网网址� Wergeland said.
The Greater Victoria Green Team won the award for Volunteer Organization. B次元官网网址淔ounded in August 2014, the Greater Victoria Green Team now has over 1,500 members and has since that time engaged 2,500 volunteers with up to four to six events per month in the CRD, including in Saanich parks and natural areas,B次元官网网址� Wergeland said.
Mike Geric of Mike Geric Construction Ltd. received the award for Business. B次元官网网址淲ith a mission to leave a lasting legacy of responsible development, the latest projects of Mike Geric Construction have included features such as preserving and restoring natural spaces, providing community gardens and walking trails, using building materials with longer lifespan, solar-assisted hot water, transportation alternatives including electric vehicle charging stations, 100 per cent on-site rainwater treatment and recycling of building materials,B次元官网网址� Wergeland said.
Ocean Han won the award for Youth for his achievements in Garry oak ecosystem restoration and leadership in student research projects. B次元官网网址淪ince Grade 7, Ocean has been a very active volunteer with Garry oak ecosystem and invasive plant projects in Saanich and Victoria. Ocean is a leader for the Mt. Douglas Secondary Environment Club and provided significant leadership for a major Grade 10 science team project studying effectiveness of invasive plant treatment methods and native plant regrowth,B次元官网网址� Wergeland said.
The Beckwith Park Pulling Together Volunteer Team won the award for achievement in Biodiversity Conservation. B次元官网网址淯nder the leadership of Eylin Gilbart and Don Mills, this team has made significant strides in restoring ecosystems at Beckwith Park with their work including developing restoration plans, supporting ecological research, engaging neighbours, acquiring grants, installing nest boxes, removing a stunning volume of invasive plants and hosting school and university groups,B次元官网网址� said Wergeland.
