An outstanding environmentalist was honoured with the John Hind-Smith Environmental Award during the May 15 Friends of the Sunshine Coast Conservation Association (SCCA) annual social at Sunshine Coast Arts Centre in Sechelt.
SCCA member Eagle Walz took home the environmental honour for his many accomplishments during the past 20 years volunteering on behalf of the planet.
Of note in his long list of accomplishments are developing and protecting the Sunshine Coast Trail, helping start the Powell River Parks and Wilderness Society, creating and protecting Millennium Park in central Powell River, being instrumental in establishing Inland Lake and Malaspina provincial parks and authoring several books and trail guides.
His accomplishments may be impressive, but during the event Walz was praised by many for his ability to inspire others and work with a diverse group of people toward an environmentally sustainable outcome.
“[He has] the ability to inspire others to appreciate and protect biodiversity…[and has] the ability to act with grace and respect,” said SCCA chair Jason Herz.
Former SCCA executive director Dan Bouman, now a Town of Gibsons councillor, was on hand to say a few words about his long-time friend.
“I have so much admiration for Eagle because of the way he brings people together in a positive way to get things done,” said Bouman. “Things like the Sunshine Coast Trail, an absolutely impossible project to get 200 kilometres of trail with overnight cabins and the most incredible looking bridges you can imagine, but somehow it all happened.”
Rita Rasmussen, who nominated Walz for the award along with Ian Somerville, said she has always admired Walz’s ability to bring people together. “We have always been impressed with Eagle’s ability to initiate projects, hold his course enthusiastically and effectively, no matter what the adversity. He is always ready to create dialogue and bring to the table the widest possible diversity of interests,” Rasmussen and Somerville wrote in their nomination letter.
Walz joins a handful of environmental champions who have been honoured with the John Hind-Smith Environmental Award since its inception in 2005.
Hind-Smith may be best remembered for his preservation of Tetrahedron Provincial Park, but he was also an environmentalist who acted with honour, grace and respect.
