Mary wins 2009 Eco Stewardship award

Mary Vandenhoff, owner of Nature Lover's Bookshop in Lanark Village was awarded a prestigious Ottawa award in April! Check out this press release:

Ottawa, April 3, 2009

LANARK ENVIRONMENTALIST, MARY VANDENHOFF, RECEIVES 2009 OTTAWA ECO-STEWARDSHIP AWARD

Mary Vandenhoff, a well-known environmental leader in Lanark, will receive the 2009 Ottawa Eco-Stewardship Award. The Award, a limited edition print entitled ‘Lily Pond Ruddy Ducks’ by artist Patricia Pepin will be presented by David McGuinty, MP for Ottawa South at a ceremony at 10 a.m. at the 2009 Ottawa Eco-Stewardship Fair being held on Saturday, April 18th at the RA Centre, 2451 Riverside Drive in Ottawa.

Mary’s record of environmental leadership is an exceptional one. In 2003, as Lanark Highlands Chair of Community Economic Development, she launched the Art of Being Green Festival with the support of Bill Kemp. In that first year, it put Lanark on the map as home of the largest renewable energy festival in Canada, a festival that has become an annual event.

Also in 2003, Mary opened the Nature Lover’s Bookshop, a unique book and gift shop that has become one of the treasures of Lanark Village, attracting people from throughout the region. It is dedicated to promoting greater understanding and appreciation of the natural world for young and old alike, with more than 1000 children’s titles alone. Sustainable living is also a strong focus.

Over the years, Mary has worked tirelessly in furthering environmental stewardship. As a long-time member and President of the Mississippi Valley Conservation Foundation, due to increased fundraising and volunteer efforts, there were major renovations to the Mill of Kintail Museum, a new “uplands trail” constructed at the Purdon Conservation Area, and interpretive signage installed at the Mill, Purdon and Morris Island Conservation areas.

Mary is a member of the Community Stewardship Council of Lanark County and Mississippi Madawaska Land Trust Conservancy Board of Directors where she actively promotes conservation and stewardship on private lands. Not one to rest on her laurels, she is presently involved in organizing a Mississippi River Heritage Festival this summer.

According to fellow environmentalist and artist, Ankaret Dean, “Mary is a major force in presenting a clear vision of how, working together, people and organizations can improve awareness and understanding of our immediate natural environment and through it, the world beyond.” While many of Mary Vandenhoff’s initiatives are local to Lanark Highlands, the benefits are enjoyed by the National Capital Region and beyond, as visitors to the Mississippi Valley Conservation Areas, the festivals and the bookshop can attest.

The Ottawa Eco-Stewardship Fair is celebrating its 6th annual year of this very successful event. Visitors will have the opportunity to interact with over 100 exhibits featuring the latest in health, local food, home and garden, energy, transportation, nature, and eco-tourism ideas. In addition, there will be seminars, a 100 Mile Lunch, cooking demonstrations and an eco-carnival for children. The Fair will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with free admission and parking. For more information, visit www.ottawaecofair.ca.

For more information:
Donna DuBreuil
Ottawa Eco-Stewardship Fair Planning Committee
(613) 726-8178
ocwc@ncf.ca