When it comes to environmental stewardship, few individuals embody this mission quite like Bob Bowles.
As a tireless advocate for education, collaboration and sustainability, Bowles has made a lasting impact on the environment and on the many people he has inspired along the way.
Bowles has played a pivotal role in the success and growth of the Ontario Master Naturalist Program at Lakehead University Orillia, a program that provides those interested in nature the opportunity to broaden their knowledge.
He is also a member of 24 environmental organizations, the author of numerous articles published in both scientific and mass media journals and the creator of countless training seminars for both youth and adults.
For these reasons and more, he is a truly deserving recipient of this year’s OrilliaMatters Community Builders Award for Environment.
“What truly sets Bob Bowles apart is his commitment to promoting environmental stewardship through education and collaboration. He takes every opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of sustainability, inspiring others to join him,” said Emily Wolst, Community Engagement and Lifelong Learning Coordinator at Lakehead University.
“I’m very pleased but this is quite a surprise,” Bowles said when he found out about his award win. “I’m really honoured to be recognized for the work I do and for helping to bring people together to educate them.”
Given his accomplishments and his more than four decades of experience, Bowles has become the go-to person for government agencies and community groups when they need to understand the impact a proposed development will have on the environment and how best to mitigate the impact.
“Every day I get up and I say ‘what else can I learn about nature today?’ and I want to be able to share what I learn with others, especially the younger generation because they are the ones that really need the environment to protect them against climate change,” he shared.
“It’s truly my passion to help people understand the ecology of the environment. I wish that there had been someone to talk to me about these things when I was a young person,” he added.
At every level, Bowles exemplifies what it means to be a community builder in the environmental field. Through his leadership, countless individuals have found the knowledge and inspiration to make a difference in their community.
The Environment award recognizes an individual or group for their meaningful and positive contributions to the environment, both man-made and natural. Their efforts may include private initiatives, such as designing an innovative energy-efficient home, or public projects, such as leading a re-greening initiative.
Congratulations, Bob!
This award is proudly sponsored by Sanderson Monument.
