When Simon Jackson was 13 years old, he thought it would only take a few letters and a few months to save the white Kermode bear or the spirit bear in British Columbia.
After all it was only four years after he helped save Alaska’s Kodiak bear.
Jackson, founder and executive director of the Spirit Bear Youth Coalition, shared his advocacy beginnings when he spoke at the Emerald Day proclamation ceremony at Red Deer College on Friday.
Jackson was on a camping trip with his family when he spotted his first black bear. Jackson was instantly drawn to the furry four-legged creature.
Weeks later he watched a television program about plans to develop the home of Alaska’s Kodiak bear. In his seven-year-old mind, Jackson thought it was an assault on the same bear he saw on his camping trip.
“I wanted to do something,” said Jackson.
The answer was a lemonade stand, which brought in about $60 and letters to former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, former President George Bush and the World Wildlife Fund.
“A few months I received a letter back in the mail saying the Kodiak bear was saved,” said Jackson. “I thought, yes, I saved the Kodiak. As you all know, I didn’t, but it planted that seed.”
Jackson said he realized his voice coupled with everybody else who made their voice heard helped saved the Kodiak bear.
He said it taught him the important lesson that one person no matter what their age can make a difference.
When he turned 13 he turned his efforts to saving the habitat of the spirit bear, a sub-species of the black bear, in British Columbia.
Little did the now 29-year-old know this fight would not be won for years to come.
“This has been a long campaign,” said Jackson. “I thought when I first got involved it would take a few months, a few letters and the bear would be saved. Obviously political policy issues are complex and take time . . . I think the real art is balance.”
Since his youth-run, volunteer, non-profit, Spirit Bear Youth Coalition, was incorporated in 1999, the group has saved two-thirds of the Spirit bear’s intact habitat.
The coalition spans more than 70 countries.
The organization has won 30 awards and Jackson has been named one of Time Magazine’s 60 Heroes for the Planet in 2000.
Two local environment success stories were also shared during the ceremonies including the 2011 Pathways 2 Sustainability conference and the Off the Creek Landowners Project, a 2011 Emerald Award recipient.
The awards are given out each year to leaders in environmental stewardship.
The 21st annual Alberta Emerald Foundation’s Emerald Awards will be held at the Calgary’s Martha Cohen Theatre on June 6. An animated movie, Spirit Bear, is now in production.
crhyno@www.reddeeradvocate.com