East Coast Trail Association to recognize Crosbie Group Limited and Nature Conservancy of Canada with 2018 Tuckamore Award
Posted on Thursday April 26, 2018
St. John’s, NL (April 26, 2018) – ?The East Coast Trail Association (ECTA) ?will recognize the outstanding contributions of volunteers at its annual awards night celebration on Thursday, April 26. At the event Crosbie Group Limited? and the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC)? will be recognized as recipients of the 2018 Tuckamore Award for their ongoing work to conserve a 243-acre coastal property in Freshwater Bay that contains a section of the East Coast Trail. The Tuckamore Award recognizes and honours an individual or group who have made a significant contribution to the preservation and protection of the 300-kilometre East Coast Trail.
“The preservation and protection of our coastlands, especially on private land, is critical to the long-term survival of the trail, in fact it is our number one priority,” said Randy Murphy, President of the ECTA?. “We wish to thank Rob Crosbie ?and family for their very generous offer to donate 243 acres of pristine coastal land at Freshwater Bay, and to the Nature Conservancy of Canada for accepting the offer and the challenge to manage and care for this beautiful piece of property across time.”
Tim Crosbie, Director, Crosbie Group Limited? & Member Companies states? “We are proud and honoured to be recognized for this distinguished award. Crosbie Group has a long history of working with the East Coast Trail Association and are delighted that this land will provide future generations an opportunity to experience the rugged beauty of this Province. “
Crosbie Group Limited has offered to donate the property in Freshwater Bay to the Nature Conservancy of Canada for conservation and use as a hiking and recreation destination. A popular section of the East Coast Trail–Deadman’s Bay Path–runs through the spectacular coastal property on the way to Cape Spear. However, before the Nature Conservancy of Canada can take ownership, they must raise an additional $385,000 to cover legal and other associated costs, as well as an endowment fund for the long-term care of the land.
“We would like to thank the East Coast Trail Association for this award—it’s an honour for the Nature Conservancy of Canada to be recognized as a contributor toward this world-class trail,” says Megan Lafferty, acting program director in Newfoundland and Labrador.? “We would also like to thank Rob Crosbie and family for offering to donate the Freshwater Bay property to the Nature Conservancy of Canada. We are continuing to fundraise for this project and hope to announce its completion by early next year.”
The Nature Conservancy of Canada has been working in Newfoundland and Labrador since 1996, and has helped conserve more than 13,000 acres (5,200 hectares) of wilderness across nine sites, including one in Maddox Cove that also contains a section of the East Coast Trail. The NCC is Canada’s leading not-for-profit, private land conservation organization working to protect our most important natural areas and the plants and animals they sustain. Since 1962, NCC has helped protect more than 1.1 million hectares (2.8 million acres) across the country.
In addition, the outstanding contribution of the following volunteers will be recognized during the awards celebration:
- Robert Hickey: ?The Flamber Head Award – recognizes and honours volunteers with more than three years service who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to the ECTA.
- Bill Collins-SNC Lavalin:? The Cape Spear Award – recognizes an outstanding and long-term contribution that supports the ongoing sustainability of the ECTA.
- Allan Stein: ?The Cape Spear Award – recognizes and honours an outstanding and long-term contribution that supports the ongoing sustainability of the ECTA.
- Dana Griffiths?: The John Ross Clipper Award – recognizes and honors the trail maintenance volunteer who has shown the greatest commitment and active support of the volunteer trail maintenance program in the past year.
About ECTA
The East Coast Trail Association is a registered charity established to provide a wilderness hiking experience by developing and maintaining the East Coast Trail, promoting public access, and minimizing its impact on the natural environment. The ECTA is committed to partners and stakeholders to protect and preserve access to historic and culturally important pathways and trails along our province’s coastline – to promote responsible use for the mutual benefit of future generations. Through the generosity and contributions of sponsors, volunteers and sustaining partners, ECTA has built and continues to maintain over 300 km of continuous coastal hiking.
