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Fernie-based eco-hero receives national environmental award
Earth Day Canada (EDC), with support from the RBC Foundation and Mill Street Brewery, is pleased to announce that Dawn Deydey of Fernie, is EDC’s 2013 Hometown Heroes Individual Award winner.
Deydey founded the Fernie Community EcoGarden; 24 garden plots and demonstration gardens used by community groups, schools and individuals. At the EcoGarden, Dawn facilitates gardening experiences for families and children, hands-on workshops about growing and preserving fresh foods, composting and vermicomposting workshops, seed swaps, a salad bar program that feeds 500 students daily, and an Apple Share program to better distribute locally grown apples. Dawn has been instrumental in addressing food security issues in her community and has inspired community members to take action by making sustainable choices.
“Dawn’s work in food security is a great example of one individual’s positive impact on her community and ultimately on the health of the environment,” says Jed Goldberg, President of EDC. “Her ability to engage volunteers and community members around access to local, quality food is a wonderful example any community can replicate.”
“I am so grateful for the opportunity I have had to work with impassioned committed volunteers to help sustainability sprout in Fernie,” says Deydey. “Growing the Community EcoGarden over the last 10 years has resulted in more than dirt under my fingernails: instead I’m filled with inspiration.”
The Individual Award winner receives a $10,000 cash-prize to donate to a local environmental group/cause of their choice. Deydey will be recognized at Earth Day Canada’s Gala on June 12, 2013 in Toronto, Ont.
The Hometown Heroes Award Program was established in 2004 by EDC to recognize and celebrate environmental leaders who foster meaningful, long-term community awareness and action.
For more information on the Hometown Heroes Award Program, please visit earthday.ca/hometown.
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Earth Day Canada, a national environmental charity founded in 1990, provides Canadians with the practical knowledge and tools they need to lessen their impact on the environment. In 2004 it was recognized as the top environmental education organization in North America, for its innovative year-round programs and educational resources, by the Washington-based North American Association for Environmental Education, the world’s largest association of environmental educators. In 2008 it was chosen as Canada’s “Outstanding Non-profit Organization” by the Canadian Network for Environmental Education and Communication. EDC regularly partners with thousands of organizations in all parts of Canada. To donate to EDC, please visit earthday.ca/donate.
Images from: EntelechyDesign.ca and ecogarden.ca
