Manitoba Eco-Network Environmental Awards

The Awards were established in 1990 to recognize the achievements of Manitobans in protection and awareness of Manitoba’s environment. The environmental community especially acknowledges the creativity, diligence and commitment of our peers in presenting the “individual” and “group” awards. A “Special” category is open to nominations of Manitobans in all walks of life that have made a difference to the environment.

2009 Award Winners Announced!

In the Individual category: Anders Swanson was nominated by Bike to the Future Co-Chair, Kevin Miller. Anders has been a tireless advocate for cycling and bicycles in Winnipeg, leading the way to a comprehensive network of cycling routes and infrastructure designed to make cycling safer, easier and more accessible. He has paid particular attention to the needs of inner city children, teaching them to repair and build their own bikes. In fact, on the evening of the awards presentation, he will be leaving his volunteer work at Orioles Bike Cage a bit early in order to attend. His creative website, OneGreenCity.com is used by Active Transportation promoters of all stripes, and he has gained the respect of politicians, city administrators and community groups with his hard work, non-confrontational style and absolute commitment to making Winnipeg a greener place. Anders either founded or belongs to at least 6 community groups, including the BIZ Transportation committee, North Winnipeg Commuter Cyclists, the Physical Activity Coalition of Manitoba and the River East Neighbourhood Network. He is also a member of the Mayor’s Environmental Advisory Committee.

In the Group category: The Organic Food Council of Manitoba has been building awareness about healthy local organic food, and connecting farmers with consumers for nearly a decade. Through innovative projects like Growing Up Organic and the Farm Mentorship Program, OFCM is facilitating local organic eating in child care centres and other institutions, and is assisting a new generation to learn sustainable agriculture from seasoned practitioners. OFCM worked with local producers to help make Manitoba organic milk a reality, has played a key role in pushing for government policy improvements for organic growing, and is instrumental in the growing movement to build a just, sustainable and local agricultural economy in the Province. OFCM was nominated by Anne Lindsey.

Greg Holden, Superintendent of the Clear Lake Golf Course is the winner in the “Special” category.Greg was nominated by Celes Davar, of Earth Rhythms, an eco-tourism provider in Riding Mountain National Park. Greg has led the operation of the Golf Course and restaurant at Clear Lake for 16 years, transforming it from a conventional pesticide and fertilizer-laden, waste-stream driven course to a model of sustainability, innovation and recycling. The conversion stems from Greg’s personal commitment to the health of the planet – he has also been a certified organic garlic grower, built his own energy efficient home, and provides sustainability presentations to Riding Mountain visitors. Innovative features of the golf course include: the use of composting toilets and a digester to minimize waste, create a resource for natural fertilization of the course, and eliminate the requirement for 300,000 gallons of groundwater for conventional flushing; use of compost teas and a variety of natural and biological controls for weeds and fungi; over the past several years, diversion of about 10,000 litres of waste cooking oil from area restaurants as a biodiesel source for golf course vehicles and tractors; composting of all kitchen waste, grass clippings and leaf debris for use on the course and in the herb gardens; and use of native species for plantings around the golf course. As Greg embarks next year on a term as President of the Canadian Golf Course Superintendent’s Association, he will be taking the examples and lessons learned at Clear Lake to a national audience – one that needs to hear his message of sustainability for this popular sport.

Other nominees: Manitoba Eco-Network also wishes to acknowledge all the other award nominees in 2009. They are: Ryan Anderson, who biked across Canada to raise awareness of environmental issues; Gabriel Gagne, a La Broquerie area resident who practices and shares with rural neighbours a low-impact, sustainable way of life; Curt Belton, a Winnipeg school principal who has inspired students and teachers alike in developing both action and education for sustainability at Rockwood School, and Shelmerdine Nurseries which led the way in taking toxic pesticides and garden products off the shelf, choosing instead to promote environmentally friendly alternatives.

Previous Award Recipents:

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