Remarkable conservation achievements recognised

Media Release
The Wilderness Society (SA) Inc.
04 November 2011

Peter Owen, Campaign Manager of the Wilderness Society, has won South Australia’s top 2 Environment Awards.

Last night he was named South Australian of the Year in the Environment Category for a list of remarkable achievements including the protection of the Nullarbor Plain, South Australia’s Offshore Islands, the Arkaroola Mountains, the Mawson Plateau and the declaration of the State’s 19 Marine Parks.

He was then rushed from the Civic Reception at the Adelaide Town Hall to Tandanya where he won the Conservation Council’s annual Jill Hudson Award for Environmental Protection. Here he was recognised as having been instrumental in the protection of vast areas of land and seascape across South Australia, often under extremely difficult circumstances.

This is the first time both the State and Community Environment Awards have gone to the same person.

In his speech, Mr Owen recognised the work of the team at the Wilderness Society (South Australia) and said there is much to be done over the next few years.

“I hope to see Sanctuary Zones implemented throughout SA’s 19 Marine Parks, the Simpson Desert and other wilderness areas of high conservation value protected and environmental flows returned to the Murray Darling Basin sufficient to restore Australia’s great river system, the Lower Lakes and Coorong to health”

“To achieve this will require a huge effort, but it will be worth it for the future of South Australia”.