FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
MARCH 30, 2023

TRADITIONAL TERRITORY OF THE WABANAKI PEOPLES/FREDERICTON, NB - The Nature Trust of New Brunswick is thrilled to announce the 2022 Lieutenant-Governor's Award for Excellence in Land Conservation recipient. This award is presented annually by The Honourable Brenda Murphy, Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick, to recognize significant contributions to protecting the province's natural heritage through stewardship, volunteerism, donation of lands, or building effective partnerships.  

The 2022 Lieutenant-Governor's Award for Excellence in Land Conservation was awarded to recipient Mr. Wayne Burley, retired Director of Heritage for the Government of New Brunswick. 

"I am delighted to recognize Mr. Wayne Burley's demonstrated passion for environmental conservation in New Brunswick," says Lieutenant Governor Brenda Murphy. "His continued leadership and ability to inspire New Brunswickers to protect the natural spaces that they love is a wonderful example of what this award seeks to honour." 

As a dedicated member of the Nature Trust for over 13 years, Mr. Burley has proven his unwavering dedication to the protection of New Brunswick's natural heritage time and again. He has served many roles in the organization, including Vice-President, President, and Past-President of the Nature Trust Board of Directors. 

"Having had the unique opportunity to work so closely with the province's cultural history and cultural resources, I accepted the call to become more involved with the preservation and celebration of our natural heritage by becoming a member of the Board of the Nature Trust in 2010," says Mr. Burley. 

Mr. Burley has spearheaded critical organizational priority-setting efforts, specifically evolving engagement with Indigenous partners, as well as many significant projects and events highlighting the importance of youth involvement in land conservation and incorporating the arts to engage new audiences in protecting natural spaces, including Conservation on Canvas (2013-2018), New Brunswick Nature Sessions (2012), On The Rise Fundraising Event (2015), Youth in Nature (2011), and Nature of ART in Nature (2011).  

Most recently, Mr. Burley has taken on the role of Co-Chair of the Conserve Y(our) NB: Protect the Places You Love Campaign Cabinet, furthering his efforts to promote and advocate for land conservation. Under his co-leadership, the Cabinet has successfully engaged New Brunswick residents in fundraising and awareness campaigns that have led to the protection of significant and high conservation-value land throughout the province. 

"As I have transitioned into my position as CEO of the Nature Trust, I have been incredibly grateful for Wayne’s support and mentorship to ensure the continued effective leadership of this organization," says Stephanie Merrill, Chief Executive Officer of the Nature Trust of New Brunswick. “Wayne’s tireless efforts to protect New Brunswick’s unique and diverse natural tapestry for all future generations have been instrumental to the growth of the organization, and we look forward to celebrating more conservation successes with the help of his leadership as he takes on his new role as Trustee Emeritus of the Nature Trust of New Brunswick.”     

“I am thrilled to be a part of celebrating Mr. Burley’s outstanding achievements in preserving New Brunswick’s unique nature legacy today,” said Natural Resources and Energy Development Minister Mike Holland. “Protecting New Brunswick's natural spaces has important implications, both for individuals and for the province as a whole. Together we can continue to improve the protection and preservation of our natural areas.”

The award was presented to Mr. Wayne Burley in a ceremony at the Government House on March 30, 2023. The Nature Trust of New Brunswick applauds the dedication and contributions of the 2022 recipient and congratulates Mr. Burley on his achievement. 

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Photos by Justin Dutcher

LEARN MORE: 

The Lieutenant-Governor’s Award for Excellence in Land Conservation was established in 2012 to mark the 25th anniversary of the Nature Trust of New Brunswick. It is presented annually by the Honourary Patron of the Nature Trust, Lieutenant Governor Brenda Murphy. Previous recipients of the award include Mary Majka, the Meduxnekeag River Association, Roberta Clowater and Don Dennison, Bill Jones, Jim Goltz, Owen and Sheila Washburn, Jessie Davies, and Sentinelles Petitcodiac Riverkeeper 

ABOUT THE NATURE TRUST OF NEW BRUNSWICK: 

Established in 1987, the Nature Trust of New Brunswick is a charitable land conservation organization dedicated to preserving the province’s ecologically significant landscapes. To date, the Nature Trust has conserved over 11,000 acres in more than 75 beautiful and diverse nature preserves in New Brunswick. 

 

MEDIA CONTACT:

Eugénie Gaujacq
Communications Manager
Nature Trust of New Brunswick
T: (506) 457-2398
eugenie.gaujacq@ntnb.org