The Lieutenant-Governor’s Award for Excellence in Land Conservation is an annual award presented by the Honourary Patron of the Nature Trust of New Brunswick, the Honourable Brenda Murphy, Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick. 

To mark the 25th anniversary of the Nature Trust, late President Emeritus Don Dennison established the award to recognize significant contributions to land conservation in New Brunswick. Mary Majka, one of Canada’s great pioneering conservationists, was the inaugural recipient of the award.  

 In 2015, the Dennison Family established the Donald G. Dennison Nature Trust of New Brunswick Legacy Fund in his memory. 

2023 AWARD NOMINATIONS ARE CLOSED

Thank you for nominating your conservation champion! The 2023 recipient will be announced April 18, 2024. Stay tuned!

Recipients of the Lieutenant-Governor’s Award for Excellence in Land Conservation have proven their dedication to land conservation through leadership, direct action, and long-term involvement. Their contributions can include gifts of funds or property, volunteerism, land stewardship, building effective partnerships, or taking a lead role in the Nature Trust’s conservation efforts. 

Past Recipients

 

2022 - Wayne Burley

2021 - Sentinelles Petitcodiac Riverkeeper

2020 - Jessie Davies

2018 - Owen and Sheila Washburn

2017 - Jim Goltz

2016 - Bill Jones

2015 - Roberta Clowater and Don Dennison

2013 - Meduxnekeag River Association

2012 - Mary Majka

 

Nomination and Selection Process

Nominations for the award may be submitted by members of the public. Nominees must meet at least one of the following criteria: 

  • An individual or organization who has contributed to land conservation significantly over an extended period of time 

  • An individual or organization who has contributed to land conservation significantly over a relatively short period of time 

  • A donor of funds and/or property 

  • A volunteer, steward and/or member of the Nature Trust of New Brunswick 

  • A corporate or community partner of the Nature Trust of New Brunswick 

  • An individual who contributed significantly in the past and should be recognized posthumously 

To nominate an individual or organization, please fill out this online nomination form, or download, fill out and submit this form. Nominations must be submitted in either French or English. Nominations deadline: February 16, 2024.

Please note: in making its decision, the Selection Committee attaches considerable importance to the nature and the quality of the documentation submitted by the nominators. Nominations must be typed in either French or English, and contain the following components:

  • A nomination letter: a cover letter including the name, address, telephone number and organization of both the nominee and nominator(s);

  • A list of accomplishments: a narrative based on the selection criteria for the Award (not exceeding three pages) explaining the basis for the nomination that, in the opinion of the nominator(s), qualifies the nominee for the award, with such supporting evidence as may be appropriate for the Selection Committee to consider;

  • References.

The Selection Committee has five members, chosen by:

  • A First Nations community member, named by the Office of the Lieutenant-Governor;

  • New Brunswick Minister of Natural Resources and Energy Development;

  • Canadian Wildlife Service, Atlantic Region;

  • Nature Conservancy of Canada, Atlantic Region;

  • A chairperson named by the Board of Directors of the Nature Trust of New Brunswick.

The Selection Committee will make the judgment solely on the basis of the information received and will not seek additional information about any of the nominees. The names of the nominees and the ranking of the nominees by the Selection Committee shall be treated confidentially. Nominations received for the award in any given year will be considered automatically for the next two years after receipt of a confirmation by the nominator(s). In any given year, the Selection Committee may decide not to recommend an award.

To submit hard copy nomination forms, scan and email the printed document to engage@ntnb.org, send it by courier mail to the Nature Trust of New Brunswick (PO Box 603, Station A, Fredericton, NB, E3B 5A6), or drop if off in an envelope to the Nature Trust office (649 Queen Street, 2nd  Floor, Fredericton).