Conservation Pioneer dr. c. mary young wins 2023 lieutenant-governor’s award for excellence in land conservation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
18 April 2024

TRADITIONAL TERRITORY OF WABANAKI PEOPLES/FREDERICTON, N.B. — Dr. C. Mary Young, one of the builders of the land conservation movement in New Brunswick, has been named the 2023 recipient of the Lieutenant-Governor’s Award for Excellence in Land Conservation.

The prestigious award, presented annually by the Lieutenant-Governor of New Brunswick on behalf of the Nature Trust of New Brunswick, recognizes significant contributions to the preservation of the province’s natural heritage through stewardship, volunteerism, land donations, and the cultivation of effective partnerships.

“Mary Young’s remarkable work has not only enriched our understanding of New Brunswick’s flora but also laid a robust foundation for future conservation efforts,” said Lieutenant-Governor Brenda Murphy. “I am delighted to recognize Mary, whose tireless passion exemplifies the impact that dedicated individuals can have on preserving the beauty and biodiversity of our world.”

Young’s contributions span decades and include key roles in the establishment of critical conservation legislation and the identification of ecologically significant areas across New Brunswick. Her work, notably her co-authorship of seminal publications, her leadership within the Nature Trust of New Brunswick, and her volunteer work with UNB’s Connell Memorial Herbarium, was instrumental in advancing land conservation efforts within the province.

A respected biologist, Young’s ground-breaking report “Critical Natural Areas in New Brunswick” effectively became the provincial government’s first database of ecologically significant areas and catalyzed a broader movement toward recognizing and protecting these spaces. Later publications, including the lauded “Nature’s Bounty: Four Centuries of Plant Exploration in New Brunswick,” include elegant illustrations and offer invaluable insights into the province’s rich botanical diversity and the importance of its conservation.

“In so many ways, Mary’s contributions to conservation in New Brunswick are the roots upon which today’s movement grows and continues to be nourished and inspired by,” said Stephanie Merrill, CEO of the Nature Trust. “It is such an honour to recognize that legacy today and to see how it has branched out into such meaningful work by so many dedicated people over the years.”

Even in her centennial year, Young’s commitment to conservation remains steadfast, establishing in 2023 the Dr. C. Mary Young Scholarship in Biology for UNB Fredericton students with an interest in the environment, conservation, or nature.

The Lieutenant-Governor’s Award for Excellence in Land Conservation was presented to C. Mary Young during a ceremony at Government House on April 18, 2024.

About the award

The Lieutenant-Governor’s Award for Excellence in Land Conservation was established in 2012 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Nature Trust of New Brunswick. It is presented annually by the Honourary Patron of the Nature Trust, the Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick. Young joins a distinguished list of recipients who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to protecting New Brunswick’s natural heritage. To see the full list of past recipients, visit our website.

About 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. The Nature Trust has conserved more than 12,000 acres in more than 80 beautiful and diverse nature preserves in New Brunswick.   

Media contact

Jon MacNeill 
Communications Manager 
Nature Trust of New Brunswick 
T: 506.457.2398 
jon.macneill@ntnb.org