Lyne Morissette is honoured by the Canadian Wildlife Federation for her exceptional contribution to the conservation of wildlife in Canada

It was at the annual banquet of the Canadian Wildlife Federation that Dr Morissette, a marine biologist from Rimouski, WC, received one of the most prestigious conservation prize of the country. Awarded for the first time in 1978, this honour is given annually in recognition to the involvement of a person to the promotion and enhancement of wildlife conservation in Canada. Lyne Morissette becomes the youngest recipient of the history of this prize, and one of the few women, and one of the few working on ocean conservation, to receive this award.

Receiving this award at the beginning of my carrer, and join the ranks of ministers and other notorious people who dedicated a whole life to conservation, this is an incredible mark of recognition. »

comment the 38 years old women on her return from Winnipeg. The Canadian Wildlife Federation presented Lyne Morissette as an active member of the scientific community who has given endangered species the prospect of recovery, demonstrating years of her commitment to conservation

« This woman will change the world, and she’s got plenty of time to do so! »

said the members of the selection committee at the CWF. Dr. Morissette grew up above the St. Lawrence river and became fascinated by marine ecology very early in life. That interest has grown, blossoming into a career that’s given her not only a doctorate, but made her a specialist of marine mammal conservation, and an international reputation. Her academic research has been published in leading journals, and she has been a dedicated volunteer with environmental organisations, including the David Suzuki Foundation, and a provincial network dedicated to marine mammal rescue.

Receiving her prize on the eve of the World Oceans Day, Lyne Morissette underlined the importance to protect the St. Lawrence and its biodiversity for future generation, and to use innovative ways to make a difference for the planet. « Research is very important. But to communicate this knowledge to the general public, and to share our passion with youth in schools, is as important, if not more » said Dr. Morissette.

Public education is also central theme in Morissette’s work, she currently holds a position of scientific director with ÉcoMaris, a science education organization in Québec, that builds public understanding of the St. Lawrence river, both as an important ecological resource, and as a resource that has shaped the culture and the history of the province of Québec. She is working to develop a network for research on migratory whales, mainly humpback and blue whales, from their summer feeding grounds in the St. Lawrence region to their calving grounds in the Caribbean. Lyne Morissette is now the director of M, a consultant firm in marine sciences and scientific communication, based in Sainte-Luce-sur-Mer.

After a brief stop in her hometown, she gode back to Montréal for a conference with the oceanic rower Mylène Paquette, on June 14, during the Euréka festival and the Semaine du Saint-Laurent of the David-Suzuki Foundation.