OTTAWA – A champion of the Carp hills and river, the board chair of the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority and an active leader of the West Carleton community, Janet Mason was honoured with the mayor’s City Builder Award this morning (June 12) at the city’s council meeting.

Mayor Jim Watson and West Carleton-March Ward Councillor Eli El-Chantiry presented the mayor’s City Builder Award to Mason at city council, in recognition of her dedication to nature conservancy.

While working over 30 years in management positions within the defence and technology industries, Mason has always found time for the environment. In the last several years, she has volunteered for several environmental groups and initiatives. She helped co-found the Friends of the Carp Hills and led the development of the recreation trail system. She still chairs the volunteer organization, as she does with the Friends of the Carp River.

“Her commitment to the environment does not end there,” the mayor released in a statement today. “For the past five years, Ms. Mason has sat on the board of directors for the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority. She has spent the last five months as chair, representing the City of Ottawa. She has served as the chair of the Ottawa Stewardship Council and sat on the boards of the Mississippi Madawaska Land Trust and the MacNamara Field Naturalists’ Club. She remains a champion for environmental issues facing Ottawa’s west end.”

The mayor’s City Builder Award is a civic honour created to recognize an individual, group or organization that, through outstanding volunteerism or exemplary action, has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to making our city a better place today and for the future. This may include lifelong service, outstanding acts of kindness, inspiring charitable work, community building or other exemplary achievements.

Individuals, groups or organizations may be nominated by members of council or the public.

The award is presented at the beginning of each city council meeting.

Mason regulary appears in the ‘pages’ of West Carleton Online. Click here to catch up on Mason’s contributions to the community.