Article copyright American Botanical Council.
~~~~~~~~
By Barbara A. Johnston
Elder of Salish Nation Recipient of Conservation Award.
Indigenous people are custodians of generations of wisdom concerning the management of natural resources. The Seacology Foundation, based in Springville, Utah, seeks to recognize and honor those who have faithfully guarded and protected plant and animal poulations. This year's award goes to Mary Thomas, an Elder of the Secwepemc (Shuswap Interior Salish) Nation of British Columbia, Canada, for her conservation work and vision in founding the Salmon River Watershed Coalition. Paul Cox, Ph.D., of the Foundation, flew from Sweden to present the award. The Seacology Foundation is funded by Nature's Way and NuSkin International.