GOERT wins national award
Last fall out of the blue, GOERT received notice that we had been awarded The Paul McGaw Memorial Conservation Award from the North American Native Plant Society (NANPS). The award recognizes the extraordinary contribution of an individual or group to the conservation, protection or restoration of the natural heritage/native flora of North America at the community, regional, provincial, national or continental level.
Specifically, GOERT was recognized for its ‘dedication in working towards the protection and recovery of Garry oak and associated ecosystems, and for creating public awareness of the value of — and threats to — this endangered ecosystem.’
GOERT’s Program Manager Shyanne Smith says ‘It’s great to see that NANPS acknowledges the ecosystem approach to the conservation of native flora. And it’s nice to be recognized for the way we work with partners and produce materials that partners can use for their conservation work, such as our upcoming Restoration Compendium, the Native Plant Propagation Guidelines, resources for managing invasive species, field manual on species at risk, annual research colloquium proceedings, resources for local governments and developers, and The Garry Oak Gardener’s Handbook.’
NANPS then asked whether we’d like to give a presentation about our work at their October AGM in Markham, Ontario. It’s a bit far to go, but fortunately we have a member at the University of Guelph, Dr. Andrew MacDougall. Andrew willingly went to the meeting and related information about his research at Cowichan Garry Oak Preserve as well as speaking on behalf of GOERT. Thank you Andrew, and thank you NANPS for recognizing our work. We received a plaque which now hangs on our office wall, and a most welcome cheque, which now resides in the bank.
The North American Native Plant Society is dedicated to the study, conservation, cultivation and restoration of native plants.