Meredith Brown, executive director of Ottawa Riverkeeper, and Women for Nature, an Ottawa-based network established by Nature Canada, have been shortlisted as finalists for the 2015 Nature Inspiration awards.
The awards, now in their second year, are hosted and organized by the Canadian Museum of Nature. According to the CEO and president of the museum, Meg Beckel, they aim to recognize creativity and innovation in nature conservation efforts from individuals, not-for-profit organizations and corporations across Canada.
“As an institution, we ‘re constantly coming up with ways to connect people with the natural world,” says Beckel. “We wanted to see what we could do to recognize organizations and individuals who are doing amazing things. We are just delighted and really amazed with the innovation and creativity.”
The awards are divided into five categories; youth, adult, small to medium and large not-for-profit organizations and corporations.
The winners in each category will receive $5,000 to donate to a program of their choice as well as a short video profile to be presented at the awards ceremony and posted on the museum’s website, among other perks.
Each finalist will be featured in the National Inspiration Awards brochure, which will be distributed at the ceremony and will also be posted on the museum’s website.
Last year’s shortlist consisted of 17 finalists. This year, there are 23 with four to six recognitions per category.
“Any recognition that we can give collectively to nature is really important,” says Brown. “The kind of work that we do sometimes feels a little thankless, so it’s fantastic to be recognized.”
Brown is a finalist in the adult individual category. She has been working with Ottawa Riverkeeper, located on Scott Street, since 2004. The organization operates across Ontario and Quebec and is committed to protecting and safeguarding the Ottawa River from pollutants and unsustainable development.
“These Inspiration awards validate the work of leaders like Meredith and show that one person can make a difference,” says Ruth McKlusky, director of development for Ottawa Riverkeeper and one of the individuals involved in nominating Brown for the award.
This passed May, Brown helped to bring to life Aquahacking, a two-day Ottawa River summit that brought together leaders from federal and provincial agencies, chiefs of the Algonquin First Nations and industry leaders from across Ontario and Quebec.
“We’re really focused on a collaborative approach and we want to connect people to their river,” says Brown.
Women for Nature, up for the award in the not-for-profit organization category, is also dedicated to connecting others with nature.
The organization, which was established by Canada’s oldest national nature conservation charity Nature Canada, located on Albert Street, runs as a network of influential women in leadership positions across Canada. Together, they champion for Nature Canada’s work to their own network of colleagues.
Some of Women for Nature’s members include MPs from all political parties, senators, corporate leaders and even author Margaret Atwood. The network currently compromises 75 women, but the goal is to reach 150 members in time for Canada’s 150th birthday.
“We come from different walks of life but we are all connected in celebrating nature,” says founding member Sandra Schwartz.
Schwartz is the VP of public affairs at the Canadian Electricity Foundation. She is also a Nature Canada board member and an OCDSB zone 12 trustee. She says the Nature Inspiration Awards are an opportunity to find ways to connect with nature.
“It recognizes the importance of what nature does for us. Nature can have a healing power.”
The winners in each category will be announced during a ceremony and dinner, which will be held at the museum on Nov. 4.