BROCKTON – The municipality has announced that the winner of this year’s Walkerton Clean Water Legacy Award is Katelynn Lavergne, who’s studying environmental sciences at the University of Guelph.
Lavergne was awarded $1,500 to help support the cost of her tuition. The Owen Sound resident is in the final year of a bachelor of science program in Guelph, and is home working for the summer.
“I am truly honoured and grateful to be chosen for this year’s Clean Water Legacy Award. This award aligns with my passion for sustainability and protecting our Earth’s natural resources,” Lavergne said during a small ceremony at the Walkerton Heritage Water Garden. Her goal is to pursue a career in resource management and policy, working to protect natural resources in Ontario.
The award was made possible through donations to a pooled endowment fund invested through Community Foundation Grey Bruce, a registered charity. The Walkerton Clean Water Legacy Fund was created to honour those affected by the water tragedy in 2000 and to celebrate bright, enterprising students in Grey and Bruce counties entering the field of environmental studies or clean water management.
Lavergne said she became concerned – and vocal – about environmental issues at the age of 16, limiting her use of plastic, buying second-hand clothes, reusing items where possible, and not making unnecessary purchases.
She became frustrated with the lack of policies and legislation to hold people accountable for their contribution to climate change and environmental degradation, and decided to pursue a career in resource management. The honors student has also taken several courses in water health, which she is passionate about.
She toured the Walkerton Clean Water Centre after accepting the award, saying how great it was to see things that she had learned about in class, translated into practice.
Mayor Chris Peabody congratulated Lavergne on her award, and wished her well in her future endeavours.
“The protection of our natural resources is extremely important and it’s inspiring to see so many students in this region pursuing environmental studies,” he said.
Coun. Tim Elphick; Souleymane Ndiongue, manager of research and technology with the Walkerton Clean Water Centre; Paulette Peirol, community development co-ordinator for Brockton; and Jennifer Isber-Legge and Annalise van Oord of Community Foundation Grey Bruce, attended the awards presentation.
Isber-Legge said that the Walkerton award – open to students from Bruce or Grey counties studying environmental science or clean water management at a recognized college or university, or at the Walkerton Clean Water Centre – has attracted a strong slate of candidates since it was launched in 2021.
More than half a dozen students applied this year. Applications will open for 2024 in the spring.
Anyone wishing to contribute to the fund should call Community Foundation Grey Bruce at 519-371-7203 or visit the Community Foundation website. The money donated is invested in perpetuity, with earnings awarded to each year’s student recipient. The municipality is extremely grateful to all the groups and individuals who have donated to the fund to date, and the students who have applied for this award.
