Source: Acadia University
http://www.acadiau.ca/whatsnew/newsrelease/2006/academy_19oct.html Acadia Graduate, Brennan Caverhill, Wins First Environmental Leadership AwardOctober 19, 2006 (Wolfville, NS) - Acadia University’s Arthur Irving Academy for the
Environment has awarded its first Environmental Leadership Award to 2006
M.Sc. graduate Brennan Caverhill. The Award is given to one graduating
student or to a group of students (at least one of whom is graduating) who
has demonstrated exceptional environmental leadership during the previous
year at Acadia University. "Of the more than 90 honours and graduate students I have supervised over
the past 28 years, Brennan is certainly one of the most outstanding, " said
Acadia Biology professor Dr. Tom Herman, who nominated Brennan for the
Award. "Among this group, in terms of Environmental Leadership at this stage
of his career, I would certainly have to rank him as number one." Over the past four years, Brennan, a Dean’s List and University Scholar from
Woodstock, NB, has integrated himself into the small rural community of
Pleasant River, NS, in an effort to conserve and protect one of the three
known Nova Scotia populations of the Endangered Blanding's turtle. Brennan’s
enthusiasm is infectious and he has a remarkable track record of
achievements, including: Establishing a nest monitoring program for landowners in the Pleasant
River area to monitor and protect nests of Blanding's turtles on their
properties and an informal reporting network for species-at-risk sightings
in the area. Delivering dozens of public presentations on species-at-risk to
schools, service groups, and naturalist clubs. He has also given
presentations at regional, national and international academic conferences
on his work at Pleasant River, winning the Best Student Paper award at the
Canadian Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Network Annual Meeting in Ottawa
in September 2005. Organizing two environmental 'paddle-bike-hike-a-thons' in southwest
Nova Scotia to raise awareness about species-at-risk and funds for worthy
causes (IWK Children's Hospital Nature Awareness Program; Pleasant River
Community Hall and Community Park Fund). Contributing to the design and participating in Mermaid Theatre
production on species-at-risk. "The Blanding's turtles at Pleasant River are now considerably more secure
than they were five years ago. Hundreds of southwest Nova Scotia residents,
from pre-school to seniors, are better informed about species-at-risk, more
aware of the unique organisms in their own backyard, and in a better
position to serve as advocates themselves for conserving biodiversity," said
Dr. Herman. The Arthur Irving Academy for the Environment is a recognized centre of
scholarship on environmental issues, generating new knowledge and applying
it to the resolution of environmental problems. It develops and disseminates
holistic, trans-disciplinary approaches to environmental management,
conservation, and sustainability of human communities. For more information,
please visit www.acadiau.ca/academy. Acadia University, in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, is recognized as one of
Canada’s premier undergraduate institutions. With its nationally and
internationally recognized research initiatives, small class sizes, and its
technology-rich teaching and learning environment, Acadia offers students a
personalized education that includes rigorous academic programs combined
with personal growth and development. For more information about Acadia,
visit our website at www.acadiau.ca. -30- For more information contact:
Dr. Graham Daborn
Director
Arthur Irving Academy for the Environement
P: 902.585.1118
E: graham.daborn@acadiau.ca Acadia Home
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