Matthew Farfan

Renowned Townships environmentalist Stewart Hopps (left) has just been awarded Memphremagog Conservation's first Gordon Kohl Memorial Award. The award, presented to Hopps at MCI's annual general meeting in Austin, is given to "an individual who has made an extraordinary contribution in preserving the environment for the enjoyment of future generations."

The award was presented to Hopps by MCI vice-president Gisèle Lacasse-Benoît, who said that Hopps was not only an icon of the environmental community in the region, but an inspiration to her personally.

Receiving a standing ovation from the packed hall, Hopps said that of all the awards he has received in his long life, including the Order of Canada, this recognition from Memphremagog Conservation would be the one that he would cherish the most.

Stewart Hopps has been at the forefront of many environmental causes in the Eastern Townships, including the creation of the Lake Memphremagog Wetlands Foundation, the fight to close the Intersan dump in Magog, and opposition to a nuclear Waste dump on the Quebec-Vermont border. He was also active in the formative years of MCI itself. Hopps is 84 years old, and vows to continue fighting for the environment, which he calls "his life's work."

(Photo: Hubert Simard)