Mark Mattson Receives the Terry Backer Award

On behalf of the Board of Directors of Swim Drink Fish, we want to congratulate Mark Mattson on receiving the Terry Backer Award at this year’s Waterkeeper Alliance Annual Conference.

The Terry Backer Award honours the legacy of Terry Backer, the first Long Island Soundkeeper and one of the early leaders of the Waterkeeper movement. Terry was known for his passion, determination and commitment to protecting the waters and communities he loved. The award recognizes people in the Waterkeeper Alliance who share that same commitment to their waterways.

It’s fitting for Mark, whose work has been such an important part of the Waterkeeper movement in Canada and the story of Swim Drink Fish.

For Mark, the work has always been about bringing people together around a simple idea: people protect what they love. He has spent years helping people connect with their local waters, understand what’s happening to them, and find ways to make a difference. That idea is still a big part of the work we do at Swim Drink Fish today.

We’re happy to see Mark receive this recognition. It reflects the many years he has spent standing up for our waters, building the Waterkeeper movement, and bringing people into the movement.

Congratulations, Mark. We’re proud of you and grateful for all that you continue to bring to Swim Drink Fish. We’re also glad to welcome you to the Board this year and to continue working together for swimmable, drinkable, fishable water.