Inaugural $10,000 conservation prize awarded in honour of slain philanthropist

Anne Sherrod, 70, of New Denver, B.C., pictured at the front of her home. (CNW Group/WWF-Canada)

Anne Sherrod wins for role in establishing habitat protections in British Columbia amid personal financial sacrifice

TORONTO, May 18, 2017 /CNW/ - WWF-Canada and the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) are honoured to announce that selfless conservation advocate Anne Sherrod, 70, of New Denver, B.C., is the winner of the inaugural $10,000 Glen Davis Conservation Leadership Prize for decades spent protecting the natural riches of the province.

About the prize

• Rewards an individual who played a key role in bringing meaningful protections to identifiable land or marine ecosystems in Canada or led a foundational initiative regarding species or spaces that leaves Canada measurably better off, and has demonstrated personal financial sacrifices to do so.
• Honours the late Glen Davis's nationally significant conservation contribution to Canada, and continues that contribution through worthy individuals who deliver results in the tradition of his legacy.
• Established by WWF-Canada and the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society and awarded for the first time this year on the 10th anniversary year of Glen Davis's death.

About winner Anne Sherrod:

• More than 35 years as a director, researcher and campaigner for the Valhalla Wilderness Society (VWS).
• Played a key role, in co-operation with many other organizations and First Nations, in doubling the square kilometres of protected area of B.C. wilderness.
• Was active in campaigns to protect such landmark wilderness areas in British Columbia as Valhalla Provincial Park, Gwaii Haanas and Goat Range Provincial Park.
• Current co-director of the campaign to protect the Selkirk Mountain Caribou Park Proposal, including the Incomappleux Ancient Forest.
• Researched, wrote and produced hundreds of VWS press releases, action alerts, tabloids, newsletters, briefs, petitions, reports and legal documents.
• Lives in a small vintage home, where she's known to wear out computers that can't cope with her workload.

About Glen Davis

• Canadian businessman and philanthropist.
• Leading supporter of WWF-Canada's Endangered Spaces Campaign between 1989-2000, which resulted in the establishment of more than 1,000 new nature reserves, parks and wilderness areas, doubling the amount of protected lands and waters in Canada.
• Strong supporter of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, particularly through its local chapters.
• Slain in Toronto on May 18, 2007 at age 66, shot in the parking garage below WWF-Canada's offices after a lunch meeting. Three people, including a cousin of Glen Davis, were convicted of first-degree murder in his death.

Anne Sherrod, inaugural Glen Davis Conservation Leadership Prize winner, says:
"I am bowled over, and still transitioning from shock to gladness. I am one of a number of people who have worked behind the scenes at the Valhalla Wilderness Society for more than 30 years, so I never expected this. We didn't see ourselves as having jobs. We had life involvements. What you truly love, you will defend when it is threatened. Glen Davis was one of the crucial funders who enabled our work, and I am grateful, not only for the prize money, but for the opportunity to help celebrate Glen's life."

Monte Hummel, president emeritus of WWF-Canada, says:
"It was tough to decide as we had some outstanding nominees in this first year of the prize, open to young up-and-comers and veteran campaigners alike. There's no doubt that Anne's accomplishments fit the mold of Glen's love for big wilderness where wildlife thrive largely untouched."

Sabine Jessen, CPAWS national director, oceans program, says:
"Anne has worked tirelessly through evenings, weekends and holidays, literally for decades, to protect Canada's wilderness while operating on a financial shoestring — mostly as a volunteer. Glen's support also helped conservationists buy groceries and pay the rent. So I'm sure he would be pleased to recognize Anne's sacrifice in this regard, as well as her tangible conservation achievements."

About World Wildlife Fund Canada
WWF-Canada creates solutions to the environmental challenges that matter most for Canadians. We work in places that are unique and ecologically important, so that nature, wildlife and people thrive together. Because we are all wildlife. For more information, visit wwf.ca.

About the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society
CPAWS is dedicated solely to the protection of Canada's public land, oceans and freshwater, and ensuring our parks are managed to protect nature. We work with all levels of government including indigenous decision-makers, as well as communities and industry to protect Canada's irreplaceable wilderness – now and forever. Cpaws.org

SOURCE WWF-Canada

Philippe Devos, WWF-Canada director of communications and media, [email protected], [phone]; Sabine Jessen, CPAWS national director, oceans program, [email protected], [phone]

Related Links

www.wwf.ca