Committed to the conservation, enhancement and stewardship of habitat across Newfoundland and Labrador

Linda taught science and biology from 1987 until her retirement in 2013 in Carmanville. To support this life calling, Linda obtained her Bachelors degrees in Science and education from Memorial University and her Masters of Education from Memorial. Linda has been involved with many other volunteer activities over the years, both at local and provincial levels, and is an avid gardener, birdwatcher, and outdoors person.

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In 1995 until 2020, Linda was involved with the Carmanville Habitat Committee Inc, holding various formal roles over the years including including as Secretary and Chairperson. The Carmanville Habitat Committee operates and manages the Carmanville Wetland Interpretation Centre and its extensive Nature Trails. The Town of Carmanville has been a long time member of SAM and the wetlands associated with the Interpretation Center and Trails form an important part of its Municipal Habitat Conservation Agreement.

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Linda, as a civic minded person, was elected to two terms on council in Carmanville from 2009-2017. It was during this time that Linda attended her first SAM meeting in 2011. Linda was elected as SAM Vice-President in 2012, a role she held until 2015 and was subsequently elected as SAM President until 2017. During her time as President, SAM grew immensely in membership and in organizational capacity to implement its mandate through the hiring of staff.

Cerren, winner of the 2023 SAM Scholarship, is currently pursuing her PhD at Memorial University of Newfoundland in collaboration with Environment and Climate Change Canada. The overarching aim of her research is to determine how environmental change constrains seabird energetics across multiple levels of biological organization. Along with her PhD work, Cerren also designs infographics that highlight seabird diversity, threats and conservation with the hopes to promote conversation and inspire individuals to spearhead changes in their perceptions and behaviours. Following her PHD, Cerren plans to continue her passion for marine conservation through pursuing a career path dedicated to applied wildlife conservation and research in NL.

 

Pictured L-R: City of St. John's Mayor Danny Breen, Cerren Richards (2022 SAM Scholarship Winner)

Jackie Bauman, winner of the 2021 SAM Scholarship, is currently a student at Grenfell Campus - Memorial University in their Masters of Environmental Policy program focusing on utilizing marine spatial planning and community engagement as a conservation tool. She previously completed her Bachelor's degree in Environmental Governance from the University of Guelph. Jackie also works with the Atlantic Healthy Oceans Initiative in Norris Point, NL seeking to reduce plastic and other pollution on our province's coasts.

 

Pictured, L-R: Jonathan Sharpe (Wildlife Division), Cynthia Downey (SAM Treasurer), Jackie Bauman (2021 Scholarship Winner), Rhanda James (City of Corner Brook), Elizabeth Belanzaran (SAM Conservation Biologist)

Arielle is a 7th year student at Memorial University studying a dual degree Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Ecology and Conservation Biology, and a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Geography. She aspires to pursue a career as a tenure-track assistant professor or a research scientist at Fisheries and Oceans Canada, with a special focus on quantitative fisheries science and marine spatial habitat mapping. Arielle has and continues to demonstrate a strong sense of passion and perseverance in environmental conservation that manifests itself through a wide range of experiences and accomplishments. We look forward to seeing what she will do next!

 

Pictured, L-R: SAM officer Julie Pomeroy (left) presents the 2020 SAM Scholarship award to winner Arielle Przybysz (right) in beautiful Portugal Cove St. Philip's.

​Allison is a grade 12 student at Holy Heart of Mary (HHM) in St. John's. During her high school education Allison took the initiative to create and lead the HHM Environment Club. The club is made up a group of passionate students who recognize the earth does not belong to us - we belong to the earth. The students worked together to jump-start green initiatives in the school and community, including starting a compost program. The compost created is then donated to gardens kept by Key Assets, an at risk youth program. Allison also participated in the "Fridays for Future" movement, an international movement that empower youth to speak out at rallies on the impact of climate change. Allison also volunteers in the community as a lifeguard, preparing breakfast at The Gathering Place, and as a dance teacher. Allison has been accepted to several universities in which she hopes to pursue engineering. She is specifically interested in green engineering and hopes to use her passion for the environment in her future career. 

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Pictured, L-R: Ducks Unlimited Canada NL Conservation Program Coordinator Danielle Fequet; SAM and DUC Outreach Coordinator Diane Pelley; Alison Jeon; SAM Executive Member Cynthia Downey; and SAM Conservation Biologist Laura King.

Alexandra Hayward is a 4th year student at MUN majoring in biology (ecology and conservation) and minoring in geography. She is passionate about working towards a more just future for all creatures— human and nonhuman— and hopes to pursue environmental law. She lends a hand in various ways, from volunteering at a fundraiser for Kelligrews Ecological Enhancement Program to a bird survey with the Nature Conservancy of Canada in Torbay. She is a local ambassador for the Blue Dot, a grassroots environmental rights movement initiated by David Suzuki. She helped push the City of Mount Pearl to make a declaration for the right to a healthy environment, and has met with her Member of Parliament to discuss bringing environmental rights to the federal level. Currently, she is organizing a local event for a Blue Dot National Day of Action. Alex also volunteers for the Green Party of Canada (GPC), has initiated a new GPC campus club, and is the NL Representative on the Young Greens of Canada Council. She has worked for Conservation Corps NL, Northeast Avalon ACAP, and as a research assistant at MUN. In her limited spare time, she enjoys hiking and painting. ​

 

Pictured, L-R: City of St. John's Deputy Mayor Sheilagh O'Leary;  2019 Scholarship recipient, Alex Hayward; SAM Conservation Biologist, Laura King; SAM Executive member, Cynthia Downey; and City of St. John's Mayor Danny Breen.

If there was a community project in Labrador City you can be sure Peter Reccord helped get that project off the ground. Peter has lived in Labrador City since August 1964 and in that time he has over seen many community projects. Peter served as part of the Labrador City Town Council for 12 years. He served three full terms on council as well as being Deputy Mayor. During that time he served on many committees including the Councillor/Deputy Mayor, the Finance and Administration Committee Chair, the Beautification and enhancement Committee Chair, the Winter Lights Committee Member, the Tidy Towns Committee member, the Winter Carnival Committee member and the 50th Anniversary Committee Chair.

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Other Community Group Involvement includes Labrador West Lions Club (President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary), Lions Quest Program Organizer, Lions Club Santa Clause Parade Coordinator, Church Joint Board of Management for the Anglican Church, Integrated School Board (Chairperson), Labrador City Recreation Commission, Labrador West Food Bank (Executive Member), Tops - NF 2071 (member since 1980), Labrador West Waste Management Committee (Chairperson), NL Winter Games (Organizing Committee).

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Community Awards Received include Tops - NL Provincial Award (1980), Lions Club Melvin Jones Fellowship Award (1991), Lions Club Life Membership Award (1990), Labrador City Builders Award, Adult Volunteer of the Year Award, Executive Member of the Year Award and Citizen of the Year Award (1989), Provincial Pitcher Plant Award (1995-1996), NLSBA Leadership Award (1995), National Certificate of Merit for Community Contribution (1988), Queen's Diamond Jubilee Award (2013), and the Wayne Earle Award (2014).

Ashley is a 3rd year student in the Marine Environmental Technology program at the Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland. She is an outdoor enthusiast who enjoys hiking, camping, kayaking and learning about wild edibles. Ashley is originally from British Columbia and made her way up to Newfoundland in 2012 after finishing a 6 month Katimavik program in Nova Scotia. Her passion for the environment is evident through her volunteerism with David Suzuki’s Blue Dot Tour, the East Coast Trail Association, World Oceans Day events and the Salmonid Association of Eastern Newfoundland. This summer Ashley had the opportunity to travel to the Arctic with the Students on Ice Foundation to learn about Inuit culture and the impacts of climate change thanks to a scholarship she received from the Marine Institute. Ashley is dedicated to living life to the fullest and committed to stepping outside of her comfort zone. Furthermore she has an adventurous spirit and a positive attitude that allows her to flourish in all of her endeavors. Add News Story here

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Pictured, L-R: SAM President Linda Bailet; Ashley Davies-Marsh 2017 SAM Scholarship Recipient; Mayor of Portugal Cove-St. Philip's Moses Tucker 

Willem is currently attending the Resource and Environmental Management masters program at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, BC. He enjoys being physically active, especially outdoors, and this has contributed to his passion for the environment and conservation. Some outdoor activities Willem loves to do include hiking, rowing, swimming, and biking. Willem has worked with the Conservation Corps of Newfoundland and Labrador on two separate occasions and enjoyed working in the environmental field so much he hopes to start a career in it after the completion of his masters. When Willem is not at school working he can be found rowing with the Simon Fraser rowing team or hiking one of the many mountains in the Vancouver area.​

 

Pictured, L-R: Willem Peters; SAM President Linda Bailet; Ralph Tapper, Mayor of Torbay.

Abigail is currently finishing an honors bachelor of Science degree in biology with a concentration on ecology and conservation. For the past two years she has worked as a research assistant studying sea birds for Memorial University fulfilling a life long dream to study animals. Her passion for the environment has led her to pursue conservation as a career and in other aspects of her life. Abigail is also interested in food security and started a community garden in her hometown of Port Blandford. When she is not studying she can often be found outside with her dog hiking, skiing,  or kayaking while she also enjoys painting scenes from nature and trying new recipes with the vegetables from her garden.

 

Pictured, L-R: Peter Lush, Mayor of Gambo, the sponsoring SAM member municipality; Abigail Hann; Linda Bailet, SAM President; Fred Jeans, Councillor of Gambo; Lorne Greene, Gambo Town Manager.