The Lieutenant Governor’s Award of Excellence in Land Conservation was established to mark
the 25th anniversary of The Nature Trust. As Honorary Patron of The Nature Trust of New Brunswick, the Lieutenant Governor initiated the award to recognize individuals and organizations that have had a significant impact on land conservation in New Brunswick through leadership, direct action, and long-term involvement as well as other significant contributions.
Lieutenant Governor Nicholas said Majka’s commitment and actions “exemplify this award and the mission of the Nature Trust. For the past 60 years, since her arrival in New Brunswick, Mary has devoted her time, energy and knowledge to educate, especially the younger generations, in greater understanding, protection and conservation of our environment.”
He hopes Majka’s contribution to preserving the province’s natural heritage will serve as a model to others. “Perhaps others, in learning what Mary has achieved, will be inspired by her leadership.”
Don Dennison, past president of The Nature Trust of New Brunswick, chaired the selection committee, which included representatives of The Nature Conservancy of Canada, Environment Canada, First Nations, and the New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources.
He said the committee received several excellent nominees and these deserving individuals and organizations will be considered for future awards. “But we felt it fitting that Majka, who has inspired so many with her dedication and leadership be the first to receive this award.
Dennison spoke about Majka’s role the formation of several conservation and environmental organizations in Canada and New Brunswick, such as the Canadian Nature Federation, the Conservation Council of New Brunswick, and the Nature Trust itself. Early on she recognized how much could be accomplished by working together and forming partnerships.
He referred to her efforts to protect birds and bird habitat, especially along the Fundy Coast.
“She defined commitment to the natural world long before it became popular to do. She helped raise awareness of concepts such as ‘overfishing’ our stocks or logging without reforestation practices and their importance to the environment.”
Majka, who has received many honours, said she will “value this prestigious award especially because it represents the Nature Trust's desire to honor individuals who have devoted themselves to protect and defend, as well as to educate New Brunswickers on the values of our natural world.”
She added that from its beginning the Nature Trust has been focused on the immense natural wealth of our province. “In my work, I could not but support, admire and encourage the steady development and important activities of the Trust.”
Majka said her dedication to conservation is fuelled by her passion for nature. "What could be more important than to guard and to protect what is most precious in one's life? For me it is The Natural World around us!”
The Nature Trust of New Brunswick is dedicated to identifying, promoting, protecting and maintaining the province's finest remaining ecological landscapes. The Nature Trust stewards 35 preserves representing a diversity of ecosystems, and promotes in New Brunswickers respect for and knowledge of their natural surroundings.
Media inquiries:
His Honor, Graydon Nicholas, (506) 453-2505
Mary Majka, Award Recipient, [email protected]">[email protected],
Don Dennison, Past President and Nomination Committee Chair, The Nature Trust of New Brunswick, [email protected]">[email protected]; (506) 440-1144
Mary Majka Background
Personal
Mary Majka was born almost 90 years ago in Poland. During World War II, she was captured by the Nazis and worked as a forced laborer on an Austrian farm. After the war, she remained in Austria to pursue her medical studies completing her studies for a medical degree.
In 1951 she immigrated to Canada together with her husband Mike, a Polish colleague. She was married for 60 years and had two sons Chris and Marc. Her husband passed away five years ago. For many years, they made their home on Caledonia Mountain, where they studied their natural surroundings and developed an appreciation for the richness and beauty of their surroundings.
As result of her early successes in protecting bird habitat and other efforts, she became recognized as a leader within the emerging environmental movement in the Province.
She continues to be active and is working with the City of Moncton on relocating a covered bridge to create a park on the city water reservoir.
She and her adopted son (her co-worker and now her caregiver), David Christie, live on Mary's Point, New Brunswick.
Education Initiatives
For the past 60 years, since her arrival in New Brunswick, Mary has devoted her time, energy and knowledge to educate, especially the younger generations, in greater understanding, protection and conservation of our environment.
She hosted a television program on nature for seven years (1967 -1974), called “Have You Seen?” The program was broadcast throughout New Brunswick, and in adjacent parts of Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Quebec.
She took school classes outdoors, and conducted workshops for teachers on nature education across the province during the late 1960s and 1970s. She also wrote articles in several publications.
Children’s Nature Centre: In 1969, she established a children’s nature centre in Fundy National Park to educate children about national parks and their role in protecting nature. The Centre was the first in a Canadian national park.
More recently, she helped to develop the exhibits at the Cape Jourimain Nature Centre in Bayfield.
Protecting Birds
In the early 1960s eagles were hunted and rapidly declining as a species. (The provincial Endangered Species Act was not adopted until 1973.) Mary gathered a number of specialists from universities, the Canadian Widlife Service, and the New Brunswick Museum and drafted a brief requesting protection for birds of prey in New Brunswick. Three years later, in 1967, the provincial Game Act was updated to protect all birds of prey.
Through her efforts, the black-capped chickadee became New Brunswick’s provincial bird.
Bay of Fundy
There were many instances where she came to the defense of birds. She was able to stop logging on Grindstone Island in the Upper Bay of Fundy, which later became a Nature Preserve of the Nature Trust of New Brunswick.
Majka was the driving force in the establishment of the Mary’s Point Western Hemispheric Shorebird Reserve on the Bay of Fundy.
She and her family donated 100 acres of Fundy Shore for conservation.
Founding and Serving on Organizations for Nature
Early on Majka realized the value of working together and forming partnerships. Some examples
- In 1971, attended the founding meeting of the Canadian Nature Federation - later served terms as New Brunswick provincial director and Atlantic region vice-president
- Served six years as a trustee of the National and Provincial Parks Association of Canada
- Pivotal in establishing the New Brunswick Federation of Naturalists. President from 1980-1984. With her leadershp, the Federation developed recommendations on management of Mount Carleton Provincial Park, promoted nature preserves, and greater protection of nesting seabirds at the bird sanctuary on Machias Seal Island, in the Bay of Fundy
- Organized the Fundy Hiking Trail Association Inc. and the Fundy Guild
- Took part in the founding of the Conservation Council of New Brunswick (Board member from 1976-1985) and the Nature Trust of New Brunswick
- President of the Albert County Hertiage Trust from 1985 to 2011
Awards and Honours
Among her many recognitions, she has been honored with the Order of Canada (Member 2006) and the Order of New Brunswick.
She has been the subject of two CBC-TV documentaries. Her life is chronicled in Sanctuary – the Story of Naturalist Mary Majka by Deborah Carr.
Mary is author of a book on Fundy National Park and contributes articles to various publications.
Her accomplishments are not only in the field of Nature. Another chapter of great activity concerns her very successful work in the field of preservation and protection of NB Heritage for which she is equally known. One example is her work on commemorating an historic shipyard at the mouth of the Shepody River.
