First established in 1990, the Anne Lindsey Protecting Our Earth Awards are presented by Manitoba Eco-Network annually in recognition of achievements in protecting and stewarding Manitoba’s environment. The environmental community acknowledges the creativity, diligence and commitment of our peers in presenting the Youth, Individual, and Group awards.
In 2011, Anne Lindsey retired from Manitoba Eco-Network after serving for 23 years as Executive Director. In recognition of her extensive service, the Board of Directors voted to rename Manitoba Eco-Network’s Protecting Our Earth Awards in her honour.
For over 20 years, Manitoba Eco-Network has provided recognition to groups and individuals for their contributions in promoting sustainability and protecting ecosystems with its annual awards. Anne, an award winner herself, provided inspiration and mentoring for many of the groups and individuals who have won the award over the years. Anne has been active on nearly every environmental issue that concerns Manitoba. She helped spearhead the campaign in the 1980s that kept nuclear waste out of this province, led initiatives on children’s health, and raised awareness about toxicity in our environment. It was under her leadership that the Manitoba Eco-Network took on important causes like food, climate change, and water.
Nominations for the 2013 awards are now open!
Nominate a group or individual
2012 Award Winners
Individual - Dennis Cunningham (Winnipeg)
As Environmental Sustainability Manager at Assiniboine Credit Union, Dennis develops and delivers projects that contribute to the credit union's continued leadership in environmental sustainability. In this role he initiated a partnership with Responsible Electronics Recycling and in 18 months succeeded in recycling approximately 180 computers, 130 monitors, 60 printers and saved more than 12,500 pounds of e-waste from the landfill helping to reduce the environmental impact of the workplace.
Dennis' professional experience includes a decade of project work at the International Institute of Sustainable Development; two years as Executive Director of Manitoba Environmental Industries Association; and teaching Business and the Environment at the University of Winnipeg from 2006 to 2008. Dennis is also active in his community, contributing to a neighbourhood climate change project, and working towards a sustainable lifestyle for himself and his family.
Dennis Cunningham's home is featured in the following video which was produced by Sustainable South Osborne through support from the Province of Manitoba's Community Led Emissions Reduction (CLER) program. Dennis' home is a great example of an extremely sustainable home renovation. Using environmentally-friendly materials and design, Dennis takes us on a 7-minute tour of his home, from his soy-based insulation, to his efficient appliances, to his green roof! Please watch the video by clicking on the following link: http://sustainablesouthosborne.com/seedsofinspiration/videos/
Individual - Gerry Dube (La Broquerie)
From his farm near La Broquerie, Manitoba, Gerry has been a long-time activist for sustainable agriculture. He is a founding member of the Organic Food Council of Manitoba, the Manitoba Composting Association and actively works to promote agricultural, large-scale composting. His efforts have seen municipalities move towards composting organic waste. He has been an activist for straw-based hog production over confinement, and has worked to educate farmers on topics of sustainable agriculture and composting. He has spoken at numerous workshops and conferences discussing issues such as: water quality preservation, food and health, and food justice. He has worked as an organic farm inspector and educator. For over 30 years Gerry has worked tirelessly to make agricultural practices both earth and animal-friendly.
Group - The Landless Farmers Collective (Winnipeg)
The Landless Farmers Collective is a group of young people with a vision for the viability of urban agriculture as a means of feeding people as well as making an income for themselves. They began their work at Wiens Farm, just south of Winnipeg, apprenticing and learning many important aspects of the farming life. In 2009, they created a detailed and ultimately successful proposal to the City of Winnipeg to create an urban farm on the grounds of the Pan Am pool – formerly an open grassy area. Since then, they have demonstrated the viability of their vision, while creating an important and visible demonstration site.
The Landless Farmers Collective has demonstrated that it's possible to feed many people by farming in the city. Every year, they feed 50 to 60 households - between 120 and 180 people, directly from their operation, and supply regular produce during the summer to 4 local restaurants.
They have partnered with Grade 8 students at Grant Park High School delivering a 12 week curriculum introducing students to sustainable agriculture and food issues, including hands-on opportunities. Through their education and outreach efforts, they reach many more Winnipeggers with a message of the possibility of sustainable food production in an urban environment.
Special - Ron Thiessen (Winnipeg)
Ron has demonstrated a tireless commitment to wilderness protection, relying on dialogue and relationship building with all interested parties to achieve wilderness protection goals. As the Executive Director of CPAWS, the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, Ron has been instrumental in the protection of two exceptional wilderness areas in Manitoba: Fisher Bay and Little Limestone Lake. His work through CPAWS, in collaboration with the local First nations, has resulted in the establishment of Manitoba's two newest provincial parks in 2011, protecting over 88 thousand hectares of largely undisturbed mature forests, sandy shorelines and the largest "marl lake" in the world.
Ron's leadership at the Wilderness Committee and later at CPAWS was a key driver in establishing the legislative ban on commercial forestry in Manitoba's provincial parks. He also negotiated with industry to defer logging in important habitats of threatened species including woodland caribou. His efforts have helped to ensure that Manitobans can enjoy the protected areas and that local First Nations can ensure that their vision for their lands and communities are realized.
Manitoba Eco-Network wishes to acknowledge the other 2012 award nominees:
- Canadian Beverage Container Recycling Association
- Manitoba Conservation District Association
- Anika Terton
- Julie Fine
- Jaret Olford
Previous Winners
Individual Awards
Curt Belton ; Anders Swanson ; Vicki Burns ; Alice Chambers (twice) ; Sasha Kopelow ; Anne Lindsey ; Helen McCullough ; Eva Pip ; Jennifer Shay ; David Barnes ; Janine Gibson ;
Glen Koroluk ; John Barker ; Nick Carter ; Walter Danyluk ; Joe Dolecki ; Kenneth Emberley ; Bill Goddard ; Claude Huot ; Peter Miller ; Dave Kattenburg ; Brian Pannell ; Mitch Podolak ; Dan Soprovich ; Don Sullivan ; Roger Turenne ; Harvey Williams ; Ian Greaves ; Ruth Pryzner
Group Awards
Daniel McIntyre / St. Matthews Community Association ; Organic Food Council of Manitoba ; Anishinaabe Turtle Island Protectors ; Brandon and Area Environmental Council; Concerned Citizens of Manitoba ; Concerned Citizens of the Valley ; Friends of Oak Hammock Marsh ; The Global Change Game ; Manitoba Naturalists Society ; Organic Producers Association of MB ; Rainforest Action Information Network ; Resource Conservation Manitoba ; Save Our Seine ; Western Canada Wilderness Committee - MB ; Harvest Moon Society ; The 'Idle Free Girls'
Special Awards
The Forks, Target Zero Project ; Greg Holden ; Fred Tait ; Noah Erenberg ; Habitat Re-Store ; Harvest Collective ; Humbodt's Legacy; Manitoba Environmental Council ; The Mathias Colomb Cree Nation ; Val Werier ; Carl Driedger ; Helen Fallding ; Richard Gamble and the Lake Winnipeg Foundation; Dave Pancoe, Northern Soul Wilderness Adventures
Lifetime Achievement
Carl Ridd
