(Vancouver, BC – February 12, 2020) British Columbia celebrates leaders in habitat improvement and invasive species management and prevention.
The Invasive Species Council of BC would like to congratulate the 2020 Together in Action Award recipients, presented at INVASIVES 2020, ISCBC’s 15th Annual Forum and AGM.
Annually, the Invasive Species Council of BC gathers to celebrate deserving individuals and organizations throughout the province. The Together in Action Awards are awarded to those that demonstrate leadership and innovation in invasive species prevention, work and/or management in BC. Every five years, upon the Council’s milestone year, the award program is expanded to include businesses, governments and non-profit/stewardship organizations and partnerships that have gone above and beyond their work in the field of invasive species management.
For 2020, the ISCBC was proud to celebrate five individuals and organizations that excelled in their contribution to prevention and management of invasive species in BC. The Together in Action Student Leadership Award was presented to Damian Assadi of Vancouver for dedicating over 100 hours of volunteer time to local invasive species removal and habitat improvement.
The Together in Action Individual Award was awarded to the family of Dave Lock, a dedicated volunteer, community and youth leader, and invasive species removal and ecological restoration innovator. Dave embodied the spirit of together in action through his work, founding the Mount Tolmie Conservancy Association, and ensuring the next generation was connected to ecological restoration.
The Together in Action Business Award was presented to Nicci Bergunder, manager of Indigenous and Community Engagement for Matcon Civil Constructors, who has worked for years to build awareness and understanding in Indigenous communities and within the civil construction industry.
Lucy Stefanyk, of BC Parks in Haida Gwaii, received the Together in Action Government Award for her dedication to invasive species management and youth education and training on Haida Gwaii.
“The Together in Action Awards celebrates those leaders in British Columbia that embody the meaning of passion, dedication and leadership to invasive species prevention and management. We are proud to recognize their hard work and commitment to healthy BC communities and landscapes” says Gail Wallin, Executive Director of the Invasive Species Council of BC (ISCBC)
The Japanese Beetle Action Team was the recipient of Together in Action Award in the Partnership in Innovation and Leadership award, for the management and prevention of the invasive Japanese beetle. The award was presented to Ursula Viney, Ministry of Agriculture; Hedy Dyck, BC Landscape and Nursery Association; Javier Maldonado, Canadian Food Inspection Agency; and Albert Shamess, Howard Normann and Sophie Dessureault of City of Vancouver – all driving forces behind the eradication program
The ISCBC wishes to extend gratitude and thanks to all the 2020 Together in Action award nominees and recipients for their contributions towards invasive species management and prevention in BC.
About the Invasive Species Council of B.C.
ISCBC is dedicated to keeping our landscapes and communities free of invasive species. It provides a coordinated, province-wide approach to reducing the impact of invasive species in B.C. ISCBC unites efforts across the province and collaborates with a variety of partners to develop unique solutions for the wide variety of ecosystems across B.C.
For media information, please contact:
Gail Wallin
gwallin@bcinvasives.ca
250-305-9161
Share
