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Lieutenant Governor presents 2007 Conservation Award on behalf of Ducks Unlimited Canada 
Victoria, B.C., June 11, 2007—The Honourable Iona Campagnolo, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, today presented the 2007 Lieutenant Governor’s Conservation Award to Dr. Vernon (Bert) Brink, aged 94, for his outstanding contribution towards wetland conservation and education in B.C.
Awarded and sponsored by Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC), the Lieutenant Governor’s Conservation Award recognizes individuals or groups that have demonstrated leadership which contributed to the public awareness of wetland conservation in British Columbia, and/or demonstrated outstanding volunteer service in assisting organizations that benefit wetland conservation.
“Dr. Brink is British Columbia's icon of conservation and sustainability,” said Lieutenant Governor Iona Campagnolo. “His legacy has been built over more years than he would likely wish to admit, during which Bert Brink has embodied an unwavering ethic of preservation of our eco-systems and sustaining the rhythms of the natural world to retain required habitat for all the diverse and magnificent species with which we share this precious land.”
Bert Brink has spent several decades working to conserve valuable habitat and create programs to protect the Fraser River and adjacent wetlands. He helped establish the Habitat Conservation Trust Fund, the Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, the Alaksen National Wildlife Area, the Fraser River Coalition, the Federation of BC Naturalists, and a host of other conservation programs. Dr. Brink also championed Boundary Bay as a critical part of the Pacific migratory flyway. Dr. Brink has dedicated his life to promoting understanding and awareness about the natural world. His admirers have described him as passionate, a strong advocate, a leader, and dedicated teacher who has a deep respect for nature.
Dr. Brink was a professor of agronomy at the University of British Columbia as early as 1951. He has a PhD in Botany and Biochemistry. He was a founding Director of The Nature Trust of British Columbia in 1973, and remains Director Emeritus.
“I am very honoured to receive this award” said Dr. Brink. “In conservation, success is only achieved with the participation of many individuals, and usually with the support of several organizations and the approval of some level of government. I am grateful to have been able to make a contribution.”
“Dr. Brink is a great example of the principle that one person really can make a profound difference,” noted George Reifel, Past President and Senior Provincial Director for DUC. “Ducks Unlimited is proud to sponsor this award for that very reason, because our organization owes its success to such dedicated individuals.”
For more information:
Les Bogdan
Manager of Provincial Operations - BC
Ducks Unlimited Canada
(604) 592-5004 or 604-592-0987
l_bogdan@ducks.ca
