Quimby Family Foundation Gives Awards

IAT founder, Dick Anderson, was honored on Friday, August 26th, with the Green Heart Award of the Quimby Family Foundation. The award was presented by iconic land conservationist and Burt’s Bees founder, Roxanne Quimby, at the grants award luncheon held each August by the foundation. Dick was received with warm and enthusiastic applause when Quimby walked to the microphone to announce the 2011 winner of QFF’s Green Heart Award.

Roxanne Quimby presenting to Dick Anderson

Quimby told the luncheon audience that the Green Heart Award is presented to someone who has not only accomplished great things in their working life, but someone for whom respect for nature and wild places is at the core of their being. Dick’s career spans over 50 years, beginning shortly after college at the University of Maine in 1955 to work as a fisheries biologist, notably as Maine’s first land-locked salmon specialist with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. When the old Portland Museum of Natural History merged with the original Audubon Society in Maine in 1969, Dick was chosen as the first modern executive director of the new Maine Audubon Society. Dick next served for 8 years as the Commissioner of the Department of Conservation during the tenure of Governor Joe Brennan. Leadership of the bold caribou reintroduction project followed. It was during a visit to the Chic Choc mountains of the Gaspé Peninsula for the Caribou project in 1989 that the idea of extending the historical Appalachian Trail from Maine to Quebec was born. The International Appalachian Trail was launched in 1994, keeping Dick very busy for the past 17 and a half years. Throughout his long career, Roxanne noted that "Dick’s energy, enthusiasm and dedication to the conservation of nature never waned."

Don Hudson, long-time Secretary of the IAT, is the only other person ever to receive the GREEN HEART AWARD. He received his award from Roxanne in August 2009 for a wide range of lifetime achievements including his service as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Chewonki Foundation, Maine Representative on the International Gulf of Maine Council and as an original proposer of the International Appalachian Trail with Dick and Gov. Joe Brennan.

Don Hudson and Dick Anderson with Green Hearts

Dozens of representatives of non-profit organizations in the arts, education and the environment were on hand to receive their grants, including two representatives from the Maine Chapter of the IAT, Don Hudson and Seth Levy. The Maine Chapter grant will help with the production of a special online trail guide as well as informational kiosks and long-range planning for maintenance of the 30-mile section of the IAT east of Baxter State Park.

Walter Anderson presents Quimby grant to Seth Levy, IAT Board member

Walter Anderson was also praised and honored at the Quimby Family Foundation luncheon. Walter was recognized for four years of service as a QFF Board Member, during which time he was a great champion for proposals aimed at increasing understanding of natural phenomena as well as those promoting science and science education. Walter is also an enthusiastic supporter of arts and music, and Roxanne Quimby noted that he had made great contributions to the Board’s deliberations, offering a keen sense of humor in addition to his careful and critical evaluation of proposals.