News Release Archive
FISHERIES/ENVIRONMENT--VISIONARY AWARDS
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A community that has drawn worldwide interest for wastewater
treatment and a man who has dedicated his life to preserving
the wildlife of southwest Nova Scotia have been named this
year's recipients of the Gulf of Maine Visionary Awards.
The community of Bear River, Annapolis County, and
naturalist Ted d'Eon of Middle West Pubnico were honored at
a reception at Province House today for their dedication to
protecting the environment. The awards were presented by
Fisheries Minister Jim Barkhouse and Environment Minister
Wayne Adams.
The community of Bear River has attracted worldwide
attention for its innovative and nature-based solution to
wastewater treatment. The community's solar aquatics
wastewater treatment facility uses a completely natural
process of plant and animal life in a greenhouse.
"It's a popular solution to an unpopular problem," Mr. Adams
told guests at the awards ceremony. "Bear River is more than
just a physical plant. It's an example of what can happen
when nature becomes a partner, rather than just something to
plunder."
Nova Scotia's second Visionary Award was presented to Ted
d'Eon for his lifetime of work studying and protecting the
wildlife around the Bay of Fundy and in southwest Nova
Scotia.
Mr. Barkhouse commended Mr. d'Eon for his valuable
assistance in monitoring and evaluating the effects of an
aquaculture project on a Roseate tern nesting area off the
coast of Pubnico.
"Mr. d'Eon's findings helped my department make an informed
decision on an economic development project in an
ecologically sensitive area," Mr. Barkhouse said.
Stressing the need for a collaborative approach in matters
involving coastal regions, Mr. Barkhouse said
"aquaculturists and environmentalists are working side by
side to develop sustainable options for coastal development
in the Gulf of Maine."
The Visionary Awards are presented on behalf of the Gulf of
Maine Council on the Marine Environment. The council was
established in 1989 by the governors of New Hampshire,
Massachusetts and Maine along with the premiers of New
Brunswick and Nova Scotia. The mandate of the council is to
serve as a forum for issues of common concern in the gulf
region.
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Contact: Diane Kenny 902-424-0308
Paul McEachern 902-424-2575
trp Nov. 21, 1995