LAKELAND - Long time St. Paul resident and outdoor enthusiast Ray Makowecki was one of 11 people to receive the King Charles III Coronation Medal in a ceremony in Calgary Feb.19.
The medal commemorates the coronation of King Charles III by recognizing people who “have made a significant contribution to Canada or to a particular province, territory, region or community of Canada, or have made an outstanding achievement abroad that brings credit to Canada.”
The medal was presented by Minister of Environment and Protected Areas Rebecca Schulz, who said "Mr. Makowecki's ongoing efforts have greatly advanced fisheries conservation in Alberta, ensuring the sustainability and health of aquatic ecosystems. His work to support the preservation of Canada's recreational fisheries has made a lasting impact on the environment and will benefit current and future generations in our province."
Now aged 77, Makowecki had a long career as a government biologist before moving on to private sector consulting. Over the years, Makowecki has also had extensive volunteer involvement with wildlife organizations including the Canadian Society of Environmental Biologists, Alberta Fish and Game Association, Canadian Wildlife Service, Cumulative Environmental Management Association, and Next Step Team. He also serves on a provincial fishing regulations committee.
President of the St. Paul Fish and Game Association Dave Doonanco said the honour is well deserved and congratulated Ray on behalf of the association.
"[Ray] has been instrumental in increasing fishing, hunting and outdoor opportunities through projects and activities that improve habitat and the policies that affect them," said Doonanco.
Makowecki said he was very honoured to receive the medal, but also surprised “because I've been very open for 25 years, looking at trying to make some additional changes to increase [what] I call low risk fish harvesting.”
Next Step Team is a volunteer biologists' group primarily composed of “fisheries guys from the past with a lot of experience,” which focuses on the science of fisheries management. The group has what Makowecki describes as very open discussions and disagreements with the government. In recent years, much of their focus has been on increasing the catch limits for lakes in the Lakeland region.
“If people don't fish and eat fish, then the interest in retaining habitats could be lost. So I really firmly believe we have to use it or you lose it, and I really have always encouraged the wise use, the actual use of those resources and that will ensure that they will thrive and flourish in the future,” said Makowecki.
Despite receiving honours and awards for his work over the years, Makowecki is quick to defer much of the credit to the other people he worked with.
“Working with my biologist colleagues, the old timers, is really good, but probably most important of all are the public and the anglers, the people who give of themselves and share and have concerns,” said Makowecki.
