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Nominate a conservation hero
Submitted by Wildsight
Do you know a hero deserving recognition?
Conservation and environmental education champions work tirelessly up and down the Upper Columbia region. Often working behind the scenes, these heroes advocate, teach, train and lead by example to build a better future for us all.
Golden resident Ellen Zimmerman (pictured) was a nature champion and a key leader for Wildsight until her passing in 2020. The following year, Wildsight launched an award to honour her legacy.
“Those of us who worked with Ellen recall her deep passion for nature, her unrelenting commitment to defending it and her strength to persevere and succeed as a female environmental advocate in a rural, resource industry-dominated community,” said Robyn Duncan, Wildsight’s Executive Director.
“Ellen was passion embodied ā fiery, passionate and doggedly stubborn. She never backed down from a fight to protect nature or defend women’s rights. She leaves behind a tremendous legacy.”
Ellenās legacy includes the protection of the Columbia Wetlands, one of the longest intact wetlands in North America and the only stretch of the Columbia River that remains undammed, and the Cummins River Valley, an intact watershed in the Inland Temperate Rainforest. Her work supported the protection of Lot 48 on the east side of Columbia Lake and cosmetic pesticide bylaws in many communities throughout the region. Ellen was recognized for her efforts with an international award, The Femme de Terre.
The Ellen Zimmerman Award includes a commemorative ceramic art piece and a $1,000 gift awarded to an individual, celebrating and supporting their outstanding contributions to environmental conservation and education in the Upper Columbia Region (stretching from Canal Flats to Revelstoke).
The inaugural award was presented in 2021 to Kootenay biologist Rachel Darvill, while last year’s recipient was local Living Lakes founder Kat Hartwig. Nominate a hero today:Ā wildsight.ca/the-ellen-zimmerman-award
Deadline for nominations is Saturday, April 22 (Earth Day).
Photo submitted
