"We are proud to be associated with Reuben Thompson, who has been making significant contributions in terms of raising awareness about environmental issues and the impact these could have on the sustainability of our tourist industry," said Director of Tourism, Regina LaBega
"We are extremely happy that not only has his work received recognition on St. Maarten with the joint Person of the Year Award he received from a local newspaper last
year, but also that he is the first person from the Netherlands Antilles to be granted the prestigious regional E. P. McFarlane Award," LaBega added.
Thompson, an independent project manager with EPIC (Environmental Protection in the Caribbean) was nominated for the award by the organization's president, Natalia Collier, and seconded by Paul Hoetjes of the Environment and Nature Department of Curacao. Thompson is also vice-president of the St. Maarten Pride Foundation.
"Hard work, commitment and dedication do not always go unnoticed, and I'm happy to join others in congratulating Reuben Thompson for this well-deserved award. It is an achievement we should all be proud of," Commissioner of Tourism, Frans Richardson said.
The award, named after Euan P. McFarlane, a well-known environmental activist in the region and former treasurer of the Caribbean Conservation Association who died in 1983, is now in its 18th year. It was established to recognize those persons whose initiative, zeal, resourcefulness and leadership is helping promote better care and conservation of the environment particularly in the Eastern Caribbean.
