Port People: Saguenay, San Diego, Vancouver USA

 

Frederic Lebrun is the new director, marketing and projects, for the Saguenay Port Authority. Earlier, he worked in consulting engineering and project development for more than 15 years. 

 

He holds bachelor's and master’s degrees in degree in chemistry from the Sherbrooke University and an MBA from the Université du Québec à Chicoutimi. 

 

Formerly known as Chicoutimi, Port Saguenay is located on the Saguenay River in the province of Québec some 54 nautical miles from the river’s confluence with the St. Lawrence River. The main channel depth of 13.8 meters, or 45.3 feet, allows safe navigation year around by vessels of up to 100,000 dead-weight tons. Traffic in 2016 consisted of some 300,000 metric tons of bulk and general cargo and more than 30,000 cruise passengers. 

 

 

 

Robert "Dukie" Valderrama, chairman of board of the San Diego Unified Port District, has received an Ocean Connectors Leadership Award from Ocean Connectors. The award was presented at Ocean Connectors’ 10-year anniversary event honoring the nonprofit environmental organization’s founding funders, including the Port of San Diego, key supporters and nonprofit partners.

 

Chairman Valderrama was recognized for his outstanding service and dedication to the community of National City and for his environmental stewardship of San Diego Bay.

 

"The port is committed to protecting the environment, including the wildlife of San Diego Bay and the tidelands," said Chairman Valderrama. "This award demonstrates how seriously the Port takes that responsibility and I commend the Port’s staff for their progress with supporting environmental education."

 

Ocean Connectors is a participant in the Port’s Environmental Education Program. The program supports local organizations that provide unique curriculum pertaining to the environmental health and protection of San Diego Bay. It was developed to educate students and teachers throughout the San Diego Bay watershed about pollution prevention, environmental stewardship, healthy ecosystems and natural resources connected with San Diego Bay.

 

In June 2017, the Board of Port Commissioners authorized a five-year agreement with Ocean Connectors to provide hands-on environmental education through field trips, in-class lectures and land and water-based eco-tours. The program provides instruction on the ecosystems of San Diego Bay and cultivates an understanding of coastal environments; the connection between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems; and the health, cultural and economic value of San Diego Bay. As a component of the program, students use a "knowledge exchange" with student peers in Mexico to further their understanding of natural resources. The program will provide education to more than 13,500 students from grades four through seven from National City.