Congratulations to our 2021 Sierra Club BC Award Winners!
Rosemary Fox Conservation Achievement Award
Sierra Club BC developed the Rosemary Fox Conservation Achievement award to recognize individuals for significant achievement in protecting wildlife and wildlands.
This year the award went to Marion Cumming in recognition of her work returning land to its rightful guardians. Marion, along with her late husband Bruce have been on a 30 year journey of what they refer to as “Land Return.” They discovered that “their land” in Penniac on the Nashwaak River, was unceded territory, and returned the land to an Indigenous charity.
Since then, she has returned title to Qhahtumtun, a small acreage on the Koksilah River to Indigenous hands, and she has bequeathed Chikawich Sacred Land on Sunny Lane to the Victoria Native Friendship Centre. Sierra Club BC would like to recognize Marion’s incredible generosity and for her leadership in the “Land Back” movement.
Geraldine Irby Award for Volunteerism
The Geraldine Irby Award for volunteerism recognizes those who work behind the scenes and lay the groundwork for the organization’s success.
This year’s recipient was Dr. Julius Csotonyi for his work creating and hosting the “Learn to Draw” webinars. Dr. Csotonyi’s work was instrumental in bringing the message of care and stewardship of the non-human world to new audiences. Over 10,000 people of all ages have attended his webinars, and his work nearly single-handedly grew our email subscriber list by 85% in a single year.
We are so grateful that he has chosen to volunteer his valuable time to working with Sierra Club BC. We share his enthusiasm and appreciate his ability to bridge two worlds, bringing together science and art in a way that is joyous and enlightening.
Jack Hemphill Exceptional Volunteer Service Award
Jack Hemphill’s memory is honoured by this award which recognizes individuals for their valuable contributions and commitments as volunteers.
This year’s recipient was Sierra Quadra for their outstanding protection of forests, fundraising for the Peace River Valley and Alexandra Morton’s work, their annual beach cleanups, regular educational events, and outstanding advocacy both locally and provincially. For over 2 decades, Sierra Quadra has been a shining example of community support. Their beach cleanups engage residents of all ages and walks of life, they have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for conservation and research (from a small community of just 2,000 year-round residents) and the “Heart of Quadra” forest would not be standing if not for their work.
Fire in Pacific Northwest region (U.S. Forest Service)
Photo by Jens Wieting