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BC Premier Gordon Campbell presents conservationist Dave Sharpe with the 2010 Province of BC and Ducks Unlimited Canada Conservation Award.
Dave Sharpe (left), Premier Campbell (right)
Pioneer in wetland education receives prestigious award
Vancouver, B.C., July 9, 2010 — Premier Gordon Campbell presented the Province of British Columbia and Ducks Unlimited Canada Conservation Award to Kamloops resident Dave Sharpe for his dedication and commitment to wetland conservation in his community, in particular his efforts in leading wetland education programs for B.C. youth.
Sponsored by Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC), this award recognizes those who have taken leadership roles in contributing to the public awareness of conserving wetlands and recognizes people who demonstrate outstanding volunteer service in assisting organizations that benefit wetland conservation.
“Wetland conservation can only be successful through the passion and dedication of people like Dave Sharpe who are raising awareness, especially among our youth, about the importance of conservation of critical habitats,” said DUC President Jack H. Hole. “Wetlands provide waterfowl and wildlife habitat, clean our water, mitigate climate change, sequester carbon and give us places to enjoy and learn about nature. They are a vital resource that we can’t afford to lose.”
“Dave Sharpe’s contribution is something we can all learn from and I thank him for everything he’s done for wetland conservation,” said Premier Campbell. “Not only has he raised awareness in this important area, but he has passed his knowledge on to future generations of conservationists that will help make British Columbia an even better place in the years and decades to come.”
As a passionate conservationist, in the 1980s and 1990s, Dave Sharpe spearheaded the development of the DUC Greenwing Program in B.C. On his own time and expense he travelled extensively throughout the province, promoting this youth program and building support in various communities. Guided by his leadership, many children participated in outdoor field days and Greenwing Days became a reality.
Sharpe never missed an opportunity to spread the word about the benefits of involving and educating our youth in wetland conservation. DU Canada’s Adopt-a-Class program, which is now known as the award winning Project Webfoot, became common in many school districts, thanks in large part to Sharpe’s efforts. He also organized and ran the very successful B.C. Greenwing Camp outside of Kamloops for a number of years.
“I feel very fortunate to be recognized with this honour,” Sharpe said. “I’ve experienced a tremendous sense of pride seeing kids who attended those first Greenwing camps coming back as adults to volunteer with Ducks Unlimited. It’s like we were building a network of future conservationists.”
That’s why Ducks Unlimited Canada is proud to recognize community leaders like him who inspire others to help conserve wetlands in British Columbia and across Canada.
Media Contacts
Bridgitte Anderson
Press Secretary Office of the Premier
604 307-7177
Wendy Thatcher
Communications Specialist
Ducks Unlimited Canada
604 312-4632
Email: w_thatcher@ducks.ca
