The CVN Bursary for environmentally-related post-secondary studies is usually awarded to a deserving Grade 12 graduate each year. However, this year the bursary was awarded to three students, all from Georges P. Vanier Secondary School in Courtenay! This was unprecedented in the twenty year history of the award. The larger number of bursary recipients was due to the number of outstanding candidates and the generosity of CVN members supporting the bursary program in 2021.
The bursary fund now needs to be replenished and we are asking for donations from members (and others) in support of this important and well-appreciated community benefit.
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Here are this year’s bursary winners:
Chayton Lapp
Chayton has had a close connection to the natural environment during his childhood and school years, through extensive coastal wilderness and birding trips as well environmental projects with family and in the community. A favourite of his was building a backyard pond that attracted many Pacific chorus frogs and a rough-skinned newt. Chayton’s love of animals drove his choice to become a vegetarian at age three, something he still continues in order to reduce his carbon footprint.
Chayton has a keen interest in marine sciences and has been accepted at four universities and has chosen to attend the 4-year Natural Resource Science program at Thompson Rivers University.
Cain Tipton
Cain has been involved in the Environment Club at Vanier School including the project to restore Towhee Creek. (The Vanier Forest Gary Oaks Restoration and Stewardship Pilot Project Report developed by CVN is being consulted as the project continues into the future.)
The club also started a composting program involving almost every classroom. After they approached the Parent Advisory Council, they received $4000 for future large scale waste management projects. They will use some of that to try to make the school’s waste system as close to zero waste as possible.
Cain’s personal goal is to leave the smallest environmental impact possible while actively trying to fix current problems. He has become primarily a vegetarian with some fish in his diet. He also is committed to rely on his bicycle for his main mode of transportation.
Cain is passionate about the environment and will study Environmental and Earth Sciences at UBC. He looks forward to engaging with like-minded people and work to make environmental improvements.
Loki Tipton
Loki has also been involved in the Environment Club at Vanier School, and the school composting initiative. Loki also worked on the club’s project to restore Towhee Creek including debris and garbage removal, removing blockages, as well as the planting of over 100 native seedling trees over two years. This necessitated watering the trees over hot summers, which resulted in higher than expected survival. There has been a visible improvement of water level and flow.
Loki will attend the UBC Engineering program and specialize in Biochemical Engineering in second year. During his career, he plans to focus on the understanding of microorganisms and their importance in the habitats around us. He plans to use this knowledge to protect habitats and the environment. He will always maintain a connection with youth and encourage their exploration and involvement with environmental protection.
The three recipients have individually written to the CVN Bursary committee to express their gratitude for these important awards. CVN hopes that members will be pleased with the outcomes from the 2022 Bursary program.
To contribute to future bursaries, please refer to the various ways to donate described here.
