SEDV 2017 Award Recipients

Award Recipient: Scott Layer (Roger and Mona Creasey Memorial Graduate Scholarship)

The Roger and Mona Creasey Memorial Graduate Scholarship is given to a Sustainable Energy Development (SEDV) graduate student who is engaged in the investigation of the cumulative effects of energy development activities on a species or ecosystem. The award has been provided through donations from the family, friends and colleagues in memory of Roger Creasey. Roger was a pioneer in developing the practice of cumulative effects assessment (CEA) as an integral part of environmental impact assessment (EIA). Roger worked tirelessly for the advancement of the professional practice of cumulative effects assessment and management in Alberta.

The 2017 Roger and Mona scholarship recipient is Mr. Scott Layer. Scott first learned of CEA through the EIA course given in the SEDV program. He then expanded his classroom knowledge of CEA and applied CEA principles in the design of his SEDV research project. Scott’s research project analyzed CEA practice in relation to energy development in Northeast Alberta and evaluated the cumulative impact of the industry on woodland caribou, an endangered species in Alberta. Scott’s research findings included the discovery of several CEA professional practice improvements and suggestions for practitioner best practices as well as potential CEA regulatory and government policy enhancements. Congratulations Scott!

 

Award Recipient: Samantha Irwin (IAIA EIA Excellence Award)

The International Association of Impact Assessment (IAIA) is an association with a membership of professionals from a diverse array of interests and organizations, all of whom are concerned with environmental stewardship and sustainability. The IAIA is the leading global network on best practice in the use of environmental impact assessment (EIA) to make informed decisions regarding policies, programs, plans and projects. The IAIA provides an international forum for advancing innovation and communication of best practices in all forms of impact assessment to further the development of local, regional, and global capacity in EIA. In keeping with this objective, the IAIA, Western and Northern Canada Affiliate, has provided a scholarship for a student studying EIA in the SEDV program.

The 2017 IAIA EIA Excellence award recipient is Ms. Samantha Irwin. Samantha has an inherent and keen interest in impact assessment and the role that EIA plays in sustainable development. Samantha has worked diligently to enhance her EIA theoretical knowledge and understanding of the foundational principles of EIA. Through her study of EIA, she has also developed her skills to evaluate and improve EIA professional practice. During the EIA course, she acted as a strong team player through her contributions to EIA group projects. Samantha is also the SEDV Society

President and represents her fellow SEDV students through a wide variety of SEDV events and activities. Congratulations Samantha!

 

Award Recipient: Lucas Barr (Fennell Scholarship)

Heather and Jon Fennell, University of Calgary alumni, to honour their commitment to graduate education in sustainability, established the Fennell Scholarship. The scholarship supports students pursuing scientific, engineering, and finance studies to understand and monetize risks and opportunities associated with future energy development and its implications for water and food systems. The goal is to assist dedicated students wanting to develop a holistic knowledge base to help solve the sustainability challenges facing the planet.

The 2017 Fennell Scholarship recipient is Mr. Lucas Barr. Born and raised on a cattle farm in Central Alberta, Lucas has strong ties to the farming community. Lucas intends to expand his knowledgebase and leverage the inter-disciplinary aspects of the SEDV program, with an ultimate goal of using sustainable energy development principles to provide leadership for the future of farming. Lucas is a forward thinker with exposure to many industries and a wide array of projects. He has excellent ideas concerning the agricultural sector and demonstrates an overall commitment to developing a sustainable future. Congratulations Lucas!