Stella Bowles

Stella’s river testing for fecal contamination drew national attention and influenced a $15.7 million government project to have the LaHave River in Nova Scotia cleaned up. She has won many awards including the Meritorious Service Medal from the Governor General in 2018, The Canada Walk of Fame Community Hero Award 2018 and she is also the youngest ever recipient of the Order of Nova Scotia, 2020. The river cleanup is in process and the project is set for completion in 2023.*

Stella is a recipient of the TD Community Leadership Scholarship and is currently in her first year of studies at Dalhousie University, Halifax. She hopes her project demonstrates that science combined with social media can influence positive environmental transformation. Her story is now included in the school curriculum throughout Nova Scotia. At just eighteen years old, Stella has become one of Nova Scotia’s leading environmental advocates. 

* Quote from Stella, May 1, 2023: “Well, it is complete! The LaHave River Estuary is free of straight pipes. Thank you to the many community members and past politicians who came together to support this cause. It feels like a chapter has been closed and a new, healthier one begins for the LaHave River. I encourage the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg to have Coastal Action keep testing the LaHave, so the river health can be monitored and results shared. There are many more illegal straight pipes polluting our waterways beyond the LaHave. These still need a plan. I hope to discuss this further with our provincial government. Living in this area is such a privilege. It really is our job as a society to protect the beauty that surrounds us and continue to improve and maintain healthy waterways for future generations. Thank you everyone!”