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Conference 2005 – Award Recipients

The GEOEC Appreciation of Service award is presented to member and nonmember individuals and organizations in acknowledgement of service that has contributed to the professional growth of GEOEC members. There were two recipients of this award this year:

Jane Reksten, Calgary Zoo

Jane Reksten is affiliated with the Calgary Zoo. She facilitates a program called Grounds for Change. Her role is to support schools wishing to “naturalize” or “restore” a portion of their school grounds back to a natural state by removing what is currently there and replacing it with native plant species. She provides workshops, resource materials, reference information, on the ground (or is that in the ground?) mentoring and support, networking opportunities, access to plant and garden material organizations and a host of other actions that ensure the succees of schools and communities.

Jane’s energy and enthusiasm are endless. Her dedication and professionalism have served to sustain a long standing tradition of schoolyard naturalization in Calgary.

River Valley Programs, Edmonton

River Valley Programs offer an “Outdoor Classroom” learning environment for all schools, groups, organizations and corporations to get groups active and outdoors. Courses are geared toward teaching Physical Education, Science, Social Studies and more, for all ages starting at a Kindergarten level. They have been generous for the past 3-4 years in having their staff help out with our annual conferences.

The GEOEC Award of Merit is presented to member or nonmember individuals or organizations to recognize exemplary teaching, leadership and/or service in the field of global, environmental or outdoor education. The recipient of this year’s award was:

Mary Harding

Mary worked for Strathcona Natural History Museum and has worked with Parks Canada as a interpreteur/naturalist. She’ been a GEOEC member for years, and has helped to plan four of the organization’s conferences. She develops resources for teachers to help with environmental education curricula, volunteers at schools and libraries, and currently works for the town of Banff creating interpretive signs. She is also the awesome mother to two boys. In other words, she’s a SUPERWOMAN!

Congratulations to these very worthy award winners!