Renaissance Lac Brome pays homage to Peter Wade
In 2016 Renaissance Lac-brome (RLB) instituted a special award to publicly pay homage to individuals, or a group of citizens or an organization who have made remarkable contribution who have been driven to improve the quality of the water in Brome Lake, its ecosystems, and wetlands. For its second year, longtime resident Peter Wade followed in Claire Kerrigan’s footsteps.
The award could be through the restoration or conservation of vulnerable areas and ecosystems, or it could be by promoting community awareness through public education demonstrating sound environmental practices. Enhancing eco-tourism potential of the territory is another element that RLB takes into consideration issuing this honour.
In honour of this recognition, President Michel Delorme was on hand to offer a hand-sculpted loon by local artist Guy Beauregard along with a certificate of appreciation.
According to RLB, Wade has been at the centre of every challenge related to the health of Brome Lake. He has been there for every battle. From protecting
the wetlands, dealing with the “unbridled urbanization,” to studies and acquisition of information related to the lake and its ecosystems, Wade has been there. For over 50 years his tireless energy has demonstrated a living example of the volunteer stewardship that Brome Lake and its natural areas have needed to survive. RLB says that the region could not be better served over the years than they have been by someone as dedicated and knowledgeable. “His personal and burgeoning archives represent an incredible source of information and history. Entering his office is like going into Ali Baba’s cave.”
The Wades came to TBL in 1964 as part-time residents and were amongst the first families to settle at Domaine Brome. It was in 1988 that Wade and his wife made the leap to become permanent residents that allowed for lasting friendships with Marc Decelles and Yves Roy to develop.
With a PHD in management and Fellow of the Royal Society of Statistics, this accomplished gentleman has carried concrete relevance in the quest to ensure maintenance and improvement of the quality of water in the lake. In 1989, a survey to put in place navigation restrictions was implemented and resulted in the rule that requires vessels to go no faster than 10 kilometres per hour within 150 metres of the shoreline. Wade also documented statistical findings from water sampling. To this day he still collects and analyzes weather data and often he can be seen in his boat during the summer months measuring water transparency.
Along with three others who were all passionate environmentalist concerned about protecting wetlands, in 1987 Wade founded the Brome Lake Land Foundation. At different times he served as treasurer, president, and board member.
By 1989 the Town of Brome Lake created an environment commission, a spin-off of the citizen participation called “Imaginaction,” a concept that Wade was actively involved in. He along with Peter Kerrigan, Yves Roy, and Geoffrey Hughson was nominated to this commission.
Until 1999 Wade was a member and president of the Brome Lake Conservation Association tackling intense urbanization and sensitive issues such as the Inverness and 400 Lakeside developments, the deviation of Route 243, the sewer system on Lakeside, and Forum 50. From organizing public meetings to raise awareness to the rebirth of Renaissance Lac Brome in 2002, Wade has had a strong presence. And along the way he acted as scientific vice-president as well as making contributions to the chamber of commerce, the Trail Committee and Tempo magazine. The RLB is eternally grateful to Peter Wade for his invaluable services given to the TBL community while never allowing himself to be discouraged by indifference or lack of consideration.