Gulf of Maine Council Annual Awards Ceremony

An elementary school principal, an internationally known marine biologist and a paper mill have received awards for their contributions to the environment.

Environment and Labour Minister Kerry Morash and Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Chris d'Entremont presented recognition awards in Halifax today, Dec. 4.

"These awards recognize individuals whose efforts improve our knowledge of the Gulf of Maine's ecological systems," said Environment and Labour Minister Kerry Morash. "And the recognition of businesses that contribute to sound environmental practice shows that the environment is indeed a shared responsibility."

Mr. Morash presented two awards.

Hazel Dill of Summerville was awarded the Nova Scotia Bay of Fundy Environmental Awareness Award. Ms. Dill is principal of Dr. Arthur Hines Elementary School in Summerville, where she has made environmental education an integral component of the school's curriculum.

Minas Basin Pulp and Power received the Nova Scotia Bay of Fundy Business Partnership Award. The Hantsport-based company produces about 70,000 tonnes of paperboard products every year, but cuts no trees. It was also recognized for exceeding current environmental standards for paper mills.

Mr. d'Entremont presented two awards.

Elsa Martz of Harpwell, Me., received the Art Longard Award for her commitment to the Dingley Island Tidal Flow Restoration Project. The project restored the natural tidal flow between mainland Harpswell and Dingley Island after 50 years of disruption. It improved the productivity of the clam flats, an important economic resource for the town.

The Atlantic Coastal Zone Information Steering Committee was awarded Nova Scotia's Gulf of Maine Visionary Group Award for leading the region toward a more integrated approach to coastal zone management.

"It is important to recognize these people for their volunteer efforts and dedication to environmental protection and sustainability of natural resources within the Gulf of Maine," said Mr. d'Entremont. "They have set an example for how a small initiatives can make a big difference."

The council also recognized the contributions of another Nova Scotian. Kenneth Mann, adjunct professor of biology at Dalhousie University, received the Gulf of Maine Council Individual Visionary Award for Nova Scotia. Dr. Mann has been chief scientist at the Bedford Institute of Oceanography and is the author of many scholarly articles and texts on marine ecology.

The Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment was established in 1989 by the governments of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine to foster co- operation in the Gulf of Maine watershed. The council's mission is to maintain and enhance environmental quality in the gulf and to ensure that existing and future generations use the resource in a sustainable way.