HAPPY VALLEY-GOOSE BAY, N.L. — A woman familiar to many in Labrador is the face behind a new award being presented in the name of conservation.
During the Salmonid Association of Eastern Newfoundland (SAEN) annual dinner and auction this May, the Dorothy Burton Conservation Award will be given out. It’s the first time for the award and is in memory of an entrepreneur who operated in Labrador for five decades: Dorothy Burton.
The award will be presented to someone who promotes catch and release as a conservation measure or uses the practice regularly for conservation or protection in the inland fishery. This year’s recipient will receive a wood carving of two brookies by well-known artist Denis Abrard and donated by the Burton family.
According to her son Jim Burton, she was an early advocate for catch and release in the outfitting industry.
“We started doing catch and release about 25 years ago,” he said. “She was the glue in our family, very enthusiastic, very adaptable to change. When we started doing it, it was a big thing, it was a bold move.”
Jim said his mother, who passed away in 2012, would be humbled the award was being given out in her name and also proud of any positive contribution she had made. The Burton family announced the award last year at the SAEN dinner.
Dorothy and her husband Vince operated lodges on the Eagle River, Little Bay, Flowers River and Igloo Lake, a family business that continues today.
Catch and release is an important part of the sustainability of the industry, Jim said, something his mother always believed.
“We saw it fitting to recognize someone that is promoting the success of catch and release in inland waters for fishing in the province,” he said. “We don’t lease this land from our forefathers, we borrow it for our grandchildren. It’s important for us to be able to leave a resource intact for future generations.”
To nominate someone visit here.
