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OCEAN NET FOUNDER WINS NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL AWARD
DAVID SUZUKI presents award to local Newfoundlander for EXTRAORDINARY environmental consciousness! Robert O’Brien - Newfoundland and Labrador wins an award at EARTH DAY CANADA, with Dr. David Suzuki In 1997 Robert O’Brien, a lifelong environmentalist and sailor, founded the organization Ocean Net, which is a grassroots environmental association focusing on marine conservation in Newfoundland and Labrador. With the twin themes of education and action this group launched an initiative to clean up the beaches, shorelines and underwater areas of the province. Under Robert’s direction, Ocean Net has attracted a network of over 25,000 volunteers in hundreds of communities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, realizing the dream of a cleaner and healthier marine environment for all. The work of Ocean Net has been crucial not only to the ecology of the region, but to the well-being of a variety of stakeholders. In particular, the tourism industry is heavily dependent on a clean marine environment as a recreation resource, facilitating local business opportunities associated with hiking, camping, kayaking, whale watching, bird watching, and iceberg viewing. Robert understands the importance of Ocean Net’s work to those who work in this sector, especially with the decline of traditional fishing industries. Ocean Net has been acknowledged regionally and nationally for its commitment to this important environmental issue, and has developed their own award program to recognize their participants’ environmental stewardship. Perhaps its most enduring legacy is the designation of every third Friday in September as annual “Ocean Net Day,” by the Ministry of Environment and Conservation and the Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador. This remarkable feat ensures the ongoing engagement and learning of the community in ocean conservation. Robert O’Brien’s longstanding commitment to Ocean Net and the
tangible benefits to the local environment and community that have
resulted from it, demonstrate his commitment to sustainability. |
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Robert O’Brien, Founder/Chair of Ocean Net, the environmental NGO founded and incorporated in Newfoundland & Labrador in 1997, was named the winner of the national 2007 Earth Day Canada “Hometown Heroes Award”, which was presented at a gala event at the Intercontinental Hotel in Toronto on Friday, June 1st. Mr. O’Brien was chosen from among 10 finalists from across the country for the award. The award recognizes a Canadian grassroots champion of the environment.
“I am proud and certainly humbled at being chosen to receive this national award which must be shared with the thousands of people in this province who adopted Ocean Net’s founding philosophy in 1997, and who have helped us grow this concern and action for the oceans over the past ten years. Ocean Net through its twin themes of “education and action” has developed programs and initiatives which are today at work in schools and communities throughout this province, fostering lifestyle and attitudinal change towards ocean conservation. Through our grassroots action, we have attracted a network of 25,000+ volunteers and a solid Board of Directors to lead us into the next decade. I am proud of that legacy, and I share this award with all of them”
Robert O’Brien Founder-Chair, Ocean Net
The “Hometown Heroes” award was developed by Earth Day Canada to honor and celebrate environmental achievement at the community level. Hometown heroes are defined by the sponsors as “dedicated Canadians committed to local environmental change. Faced with pressing environmental concerns, these individuals strive to create healthy and sustainable communities, while fostering long-term community access and action.”
Guest speaker at the “Earth Day Gala Awards Celebration” was David Suzuki, Canada’s most esteemed environmentalist.
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Media Contact: Kay Coxworthy 753-3680
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