Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57 Page 58 Page 59 Page 60 Page 61 Page 62 Page 63 Page 64 Page 65 Page 66 Page 67 Page 68The year was 1971 when Motown’s Marvin Gaye sang that pointed dam- nation of ongoing ecological damage. Gaye’s wistful lament didn’t ignite the environmental movement, but it certainly illuminated a number of its issues to a mass audience. Thankfully, the landscape has changed – literally – since the early 70s. Government regulation has legislated caution and control. But perhaps more importantly, respect for the environment has successfully infiltrated public consciousness: the plight of wildlife, wetlands, and for- ests, as well as more homely applica- tions like recycling and composting. Port Perry’s Sarah Townson plans to dedicate her career to environ- mental excellence. Specifically which discipline…? She’s unsure – but at 22 years old, a decision of that mag- nitude may well remain, understand- ably, unclear. The 2016 winner of the prestigious Prince of Wales Forest Leadership award – one of only two Canadians so honoured – Sarah’s current work assignment, she says, may well be shifting the direction of her profes- sional interest. “The award allowed me a three-month placement with an environmental consulting firm in Corby, England,” she explains. “My degree specialization was in Wildlife Conservation and Management, and the work I’m doing now is definitely diversifying my experience. This is my first exposure to consultancy, and I’m enjoying it.” Diversification was Sarah’s goal in applying for the award. “One of the requirements was a personal essay outlining how I felt I’d grow from the placement. I’d worked atAlgonquin Park for three summers, but it was all the same kind of job. I highlighted how the opportunity would broaden my horizons.” Moving out from the classroom and into practical applications proved to be another satisfying aspect. “We’d done mock environmental plans at Lakehead [University],” she says. “But of course these are real-life situations.” Sarah’semployer,LockhartGarratt, has provided her with a wide range of activities. “Forests are privately owned in England. Their owners come to Lockhart Garratt for a management plan, and that’s where I come in. A common recommendation is ‘thin- ning.’ Cutting a portion of mature trees makes money for the owner in timber, while at the same time it ben- efits the environment. Large, mature trees block sunlight from reaching the forest floor, and that can stunt the growth of lower-level plants. The gaps created by a thinning strat- egy encourages the development of shrubs and ground cover. “Part of that kind of plan involves governmental paperwork – licenses and, potentially, grants. We manage those aspects as well.” Other Lockhart Garratt assign- ments have been more closely related to her animal specialty. “I participated in a bat study,” she explains. “They’re a protected species in Europe, and have to be considered in any new building or restoration. Our firm studies the impact of any proposed actions. “Ah oh mercy, mercy me Ah things ain’t what they used to be, no no Radiation under ground and in the sky Animals and birds who live nearby are dying Oh mercy, mercy me” ...................... Please turn to page 32 Prince’s Prize Fuels Sarah’s Dream FOCUS - DECEMBER 2016 31