SIX awards were handed out by the District of West Vancouver Monday to honour people and organizations that have helped build the community.
Tarah Stafford was given an Environment Award for her organizing of events that helped to introduce her Eagle Island neighbours to green technology and home energy audits. Stafford also joined Mayor Pam Goldsmith-Jones at a United Nations forum in New York, where West Vancouver was named a Global Green City.
Katherine Steig and Alan Bardsley also shared an Environment Award. Committed to safeguarding the Upper Lands, Steig and Bardsley have worked closely with the Rogers Creek development process and developed a monitoring program. They have also worked to promote dialogue between conservationists and the local mountain bike community. The result has been an unprecedented level of co-operation in balancing recreational opportunities and habitat protection.
Walter Thorneloe was also presented with an Environment Award. Thorneloe has been involved with several groups that work to protect the district's natural spaces. Thorneloe has volunteered with the Climate Action Working Group, Streamkeeper Society, Coho Society and the Upper Lands Steering Committee. His work with the Streamkeepers helped install fish ladders at Stevens Drive and McDonald Creek, as well as a large number of other small improvements to riparian areas. Thorneloe was also instrumental in helping fish return to Hadden Creek as well as documenting the West Vancouver tailed frog population.
The fourth Environment Award was given to another Streamkeeper, president John Barker. A longtime member and tireless volunteer, Barker has done a great deal of work to organize the society's work plan, develop an outreach program in collaboration with the West Vancouver school district, and upgrade the Streamkeepers' website and newsletter. Barker also helped expand the storm drain marking program.
The Hollyburn Ridge Association earned a Heritage Award. The association managed to resolve the question of long-term tenure for the cabins on Hollyburn Ridge, an issue that has gone unresolved for 85 years. A huge amount of time-consuming negotiations behind the scenes led to a historic agreement guaranteeing that the 80 cabin permit holders can look forward to celebrating 100 years of the Cabins Alive movement. Jackie Swanson and Catherine Rockandel accepted the award of behalf of the society.
The final award, also for heritage work, was given to the West Vancouver Historical Society. Thanks to the hard work of Francis Mansbridge, John Moir, Jim Carter and many other society members, a commemorative book titled Cottages to Community: The Story of West Vancouver's Neighbourhoods, will be available to help the district celebrate its centennial in 2012. The book follows the development of the waterfront community from its earliest indigenous roots.
"We are very grateful for how high our community aims," said Goldsmith-Jones.
"It is a joy to celebrate these outstanding examples of citizenship."
