If you haven’t already heard me screaming from the rooftops, I won first place in Best environmental/responsible tourism writing at the Travel Media Association of Canada’s annual awards last month. It was for the story ‘Bird Poop Boom’ in the Red Deer Advocate in December 2013 on Peru’s Ballestas Islands. People exploited cormorant guano for financial gain and I guess I did too, winning $750 for my tale on how people have used these birds for commercial gain. The Alberta TMAC chapter cleaned up with three other wins – Debbie Olson, also from the Red Deer Advocate, won 2nd place in people photography, Lisa Kadane won 1st in Best Service Feature. Talented blogger and writer, Jody Robbins picked an Outstanding Achievement award in the same category. Alberta writers ‘brought it’ to this prestigious competition!