Having worked in the Salmo watershed and Upper Columbia River Basin for 10 years, Gerard Nellestijn has earned himself a “really great” nomination for tonight’s Canadian Environment Awards.
As the president of the Salmo Watershed Streamkeepers Society, Nellestijn and the society’s volunteers built an environmental stewardship and began their efforts to restore the area impacted by mining, logging and road building. Nellestijn’s hard work has led him to receive a Restoration and Rehabilitation award nomination.
“We’re taking a comprehensive look at how to do things around here,” said Nellestijn. “We began restoration activity on significant tailing and now it’s being restored because of our efforts and many efforts of others.”
Nellestijn said he hopes the nomination will recognize all the work the group members and partners have done as well as give those who want to help the opportunity to.
“The projects we do take a lot of money and some of the projects we have on our planning sheet are usually expensive,” added Nellestijn. “Funding is very important for us and I really hope the recognition will make funding easier.
“The bulk of the work is volunteer-driven so it’s obvious to us that the work we’ve done is important, but we don’t if the public knows that.”
