Dr. Tracy Lyster Receives 2006 Eugene Rogers Award : WC Mediawire

The Eugene Rogers Environmental Award is given out once a year to a grassroots environmentalist who has made an outstanding contribution towards protecting the environment of BC. Past recipients include Betty Krawczyk, recipient in 2004 for her work to safeguard public lands and ancient forests, and in 2005 Telalsemkin Siyam (Chief Bill Williams) of the Squamish Nation received the award for his work to protect the Squamish Nation Kwa kwayex welh-aynexws (Wild Spirit Places).

Dr. Tracy Lyster is being recognized for her work in organizing Mission residents to protect over 3,400 acres of environmentally sensitive land in rural Silverdale and Silvermere Island. A Genstar proposed mega-housing development threatened the local forests and wetlands that are characterized by numerous fish bearing streams, highly forested terrain, and are home to abundant local species. A full wildlife assessment has yet to be completed but local residents have documented sensitive species such as tailed frogs, red legged frogs, ermine and Western Screech Owls. Dr. Lyster chairs CAUSS, Citizens Against Urban Sprawl Society, created to give a focal point for citizen action. In the past five years, CAUSS has worked as an environmental watchdog and to raise awareness on the social and economic impact of urban sprawl. Their goal is to ensure safeguards are in place to prevent development related damage to the local environment including the groundwater which is relied on by the residents of the area. CAUSS has had a number of successes including: the City Councils adoption of the Silverdale Terms of Reference designed to ensure that development proceeds in a responsible manner; a tree bylaw to prohibit logging prior to environmental studies and mapping; and the adoption of Streamside Protection Regulations (SPR) in Mission which have so far been adopted in only four municipalities in the province.

Dr. Lyster accepted the award on behalf of CAUSS and the citizens of Mission who remain committed to protecting their natural environment.

For more information please contact:

Dr. Tracy Lyster, Award Winner 1-604-820-7592

Joe Foy, National Campaign Director WCWC 604-683-8220
BACKGROUNDER

Tracy Lyster
Eugene Rogers Award Recipient

Dr. Tracy Lyster is a long time resident of BC who moved to Mission 9 years ago, drawn by its rich natural environment and rural character. As a clinical psychologist, she was struck by the resourcefulness and connection to the land of her neighbours who embraced the values of conservation in their day to day lives. She chairs a local citizens group named Citizens Against Urban Sprawl Society (CAUSS) which lobbies local governments to adopt responsible development practices and to engage in meaningful consultation with local residents.

Eugene Rogers Environmental Award

On January 16, 1992, the environment movement was saddened to learn of the sudden death of Mr. Eugene Rogers. Eugene Rogers was a New Westminster resident and conservationist who worked tirelessly for the protection of BC wild places and wild salmon. Eugene was a leading member of the Steelhead Society. He also worked with the BC Wildlife Federation and served as treasurer for the Outdoor Recreational Council. The Wilderness Committee first met him as one of the leaders of the Save the Stein Coalition in 1981. When we last saw him in the fall of 1991 Eugene was busy as usual working to put an end to Alcans plans to dam the Nechako River.

For those of us who had the privilege of working with Eugene, we remember his dedication and unique ability, through example, to recruit and build leaders in the conservation movement. Many of Eugenes triumphs will go unsung except to the steelhead and other salmon that will embody his lifes work when they return to protected riverbanks to spawn. He was a true gumboot activist.

In memory of Eugene Rogers and the tradition of the hard work he brought to the conservation movement, the Western Canada Wilderness Committee (WCWC) presents the Eugene Rogers award annually to a conservationist who has worked exceptionally hard to protect nature and who has made an outstanding contribution towards protecting wilderness and fish habitat. The award is a wood craving of spawning salmon by Salish artist William Watt.

Past recipients of the Eugene Rogers Award have been:

1992 - Terry Jacks with Environmental Watch of the Sunshine Coast for his work to stop pulp mill pollution in Howe Sound.

1993 - Joe Martin from the Nuu-Chah-Nulth Tribal Council in Clayoquot Sound for his work to protect Clayoquot Sound.

1994 - Ocean Hellman and Doug Radies of the Cariboo Mountains Wilderness Coalition for their work to protect the Cariboo Mountains.

1995 - Danny Gerak, commercial fisher and fishing lodge owner, with the help and support of his family and the Katzie First Nation has been a tireless defender of the fish and wildlife habitat of the Upper Pitt River Valley.

1996 - Maureen Fraser, small business owner, for her persistence and strength at the community level to help in the progress towards preservation of the ancient rainforests in Clayoquot Sound.

1997 - John Clarke, mountaineer, for his work to bring hundreds of people into the Stoltmann Wilderness to see what might be lost if preservation does not prevail. John passed away in January 2003.

1998 - Marion Parker, dentrochronologist, for his lifelong efforts at ancient tree research in British Columbia. Marion passed away in early August 1999.

1999 - Will Koop for his work to protect Vancouver Drinking Watersheds.

2000 - Will Paulik for his unfaltering work in helping protect the Fraser River. Will passed away January 2, 2001.

2001 - Mae Burrows for her outstanding work in the environmental and labour movement, including building bridges between workers and environmentalists.

2002 - Ruth Masters for her tireless work on environmental issues, including preserving Strathcona Park, B.C.s oldest provincial park

2003- Clint Marvin - for his efforts to preserve and protect the Fraser Valleys tallest trees in the Elk Creek Rainforest

2004 - Betty Krawczyk - or her courageous work to safeguard public lands, conserve ancient forests and defend a citizens right to protest unjust laws without undue government harassment.

2005 - Telalsemkin Siyam (Chief Bill Williams) for his work to protect the Squamish Nations Kwa kwayex welh-aynexws (Wild Spirit Places)