Lois Corbett wins Phoenix Award

Award winners from the NBEN’s 2018 Eco-Confluence. Conservation Council Executive Director Lois Corbett, second from left, won the annual Phoenix Award.

FREDERICTON — Lois Corbett, Executive Director of the Conservation Council of New Brunswick, is this year’s recipient of the New Brunswick Environmental Network’s Phoenix Award for outstanding dedication to advancing smart public policy and legislation.

Corbett received the award during the NBEN’s annual Eco-Confluence in New Maryland on Saturday, Nov. 17. It is given each year to an organization or individual who has dedicated their efforts to advancing policies and legislation in New Brunswick and who has been “through the fire.”

That’s certainly true for Corbett, an expert strategist who has more than 30 years of professional experience in the Canadian nonprofit environmental sector, advocating for policy reform to tackle everything from smog and acid rain to climate change and renewable energy solutions, from watershed protection, improving forestry practices, to waste reduction.

“Lois was a clear choice for this award. By contributing her extensive expertise in communications, advocacy and policy development to New Brunswick’s environmental movement, she has enabled us all to amplify our impact on local, provincial and national environmental issues,” said Raissa Marks, Executive Director of the NBEN.

“I can’t think of another individual who has been so influential in elevating environmental issues, educating the public and policy makers, and building the overall environmental community in New Brunswick,” said Jim Emberger, spokesperson for the New Brunswick Anti-Shale Gas Alliance, who nominated Corbett.

Environmental champions at the Eco-Confluence. From left: Roberta Clowater, CPAWS NB, Lois Corbett, Conservation Council, Hon. Jeff Carr, Minister of the Environment and Local Government, and Renata Woodward, Nature Trust of New Brunswick.

Under Corbett’s leadership, the Conservation Council has been granted intervenor status on critical issues such as the Energy East Pipeline and Sisson Brook Mine, advised policy-makers on important files such as water quality in the Shediac Bay, a provincial water protection strategy, and the federal coal phase out, and has been a key partner and mentor in helping NBEN caucuses achieve environmental results.

“New Brunswick has a beautiful, strong, smart and diverse environmental movement. I am so proud to be a part of it and to continue building on the Conservation Council’s 50-year tradition of advocating for a healthier province,” said Corbett. “By working together, we all punch above our weight and make great things happen for New Brunswickers and our beautiful forests, lands and rivers and bays.”

Last year’s recipient of the Phoenix Award was the Red Head Anthony’s Cove Preservation Society. Past recipients include The Fundy Biosphere Reserve, Concerned Citizens of Penobsquis, Friends of Rockwood Park, and Conservation Council alumni Stephanie Coburn (2006), David Coon and Inka Milewski (2004).

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The New Brunswick Environmental Network

The New Brunswick Environmental Network is a non-profit communications network of over 100 citizens’ environmental groups from across the province.  The goal of the Network is to encourage communication and collaboration among groups and between groups, government and other sectors.

The Conservation Council of New Brunswick

Established in 1969, the Conservation Council of New Brunswick has remained the province’s leading public advocate for environmental protection. A member of the UN’s Global 500 Roll of Honour, we work to find practical solutions to help families and citizens, educators, governments and businesses protect the air we breathe, the water we drink, the precious marine ecosystem and the land, including the forest, that support us.

For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact: Jon MacNeill, Communications Director, at 506-458-8747 (w), 506-238-3539 (m) or jon.macneill@conservationcouncil.ca.

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