Pearl Beach couple win top environment award
A Pearl Beach couple have won the Community Environment Network's top award for 2022.
Ann and Stephen Parsons from the Pearl Beach Crommelin Native Arboretum were joint recipients of the 2022 Most Outstanding All-rounder award.
"Stephen and I feel very honoured to have received the Central Coast Environment Award tonight," said Ms Parson.
"It was a total surprise."
Network deputy chair Mr John Asquith said Mr and Ms Parsons became members of the Crommelin Native Arboretum when they settled permanently at Pearl Beach in 2009.
"Ann joined a coastal hazards committee and was instrumental in getting the Pearl Beach Lagoon within the remit for the study of lagoons on the Central Coast.
"She contributed strongly to the subsequent ecological studies of the lagoon," Mr Asquith said.
"Ann was instrumental in obtaining a grant of $20,000 from the Commonwealth Government for a project to promote native bee conservation and examining the feasibility of re-introducing koalas into Brisbane Water area," he said.
"The project was refocussed to one ensuring habitat support for both koalas and native bees in the Arboretum.
"Stephen has been a member of Pearl Beach Bushcare since 2009 and has superbly led the team for almost 10 years.
"Stephen has also been a member of the Arboretum's management committee.
"Stephen has organised and run Clean Up Australia since 2010 and also removes litter all year round from the local roadsides in and around Pearl Beach.
"Throughout their time in Pearl Beach, Ann and Stephen have participated in local environmental acitivities including CEN, Arboretum working bees, arranging guest speakers, managing environment-focussed functions and fund raisers and encouraging others to join the Arboretrum, Bushcare and Cleanup days."
Peninsula resident Ms Lesley Harvey of the Grow Urban Shade Trees group was named the Network's Rookie of the Year, as a newcomer to the conservation movement who has contributed to our region's environment and sustainability.
Ms Harvey recently organised the planting of the Queen's Tree on the Woy Woy waterfront.
SOURCE:
Media release, 6 Dec 2022
Jackie Pearson, CEN