Derrick Mallard was born in 1921 in England. In 1953, he emigrated to B.C. and worked in the Engineering Dept. of the B.C. Power Commission and B.C. Hydro. After leaving B.C. Hydro he taught at S.F.U in the Department of Psychology, lecturing on human acoustics and electronic physiological measurements. Gwen Mallard was born ca. 1917 in Fernie, B.C. In 1968, Derrick and Gwen started S.P.E.C. (Society for Promoting Environmental Conservation) in Vancouver, the first citizens environmental organization in western Canada. In 1972, the Mallards severed ties with S.P.E.C., moved to Victoria and started C.A.S.E. (Citizens Association to Save the Environment), which they directed until their deaths. Derrick was involved in many projects relating to a broad spectrum of environmental concerns, including waste management, preservation of significant ecosystems, climate change and energy conservation. Gwen was particularly interested in food and nutrition, biotechnology and bovine growth hormone. From 1982 on, Gwen owned and operated Gwens Vegetarian Diner. The Mallards were among the first in B.C. to speak on behalf of the environment and to enlist widespread public support. In 1992, they were awarded the Joint Environmental Award from the B.C. Minister of the Environment, Lands and Parks; i n 1993, they were awarded the Lifetime Environmental Achievement Award by the Canadian Minister of the Environment. Gwen died in 1999, and Derrick died in 2001.