Dave Nickarz has been a passionate, environmental activist for the past 13 years. His work has led him from Arctic to Antarctica – on sea and shore. He has been a tireless crusader for forest conservation, preservation of ancient rainforests, and protection of vulnerable animal species. In 1992 Dave joined a group of animal activists who tried unsuccessfully to stop the capture of 4 Beluga whales (destined for zoos or circuses), in Churchill. Subsequently, two of the four whales died at the John G. Shedd aquarium in Chicago. However, they did not die in vain. Later that year the government of Canada banned all whale captures for export. Since then no whales have been captured from the Churchill River estuary. In September 1993 Dave was arrested at a logging blockade trying to protect the ancient temperate rainforests of Clayoquot Sound, British Columbia. He was fined $1500.00 for criminal contempt of a BC Supreme Court order. Later that year the Green Party of Canada paid Dave’s fine.

E-mail: dnicarz@greenparty.ca