Pat and Kee Dewdney, Naturalists

Nominated by McIlwraith Field Naturalists (London)

Pat and Kee Dewdney have worked for many years to promote awareness of Carolinian species in London and vicinity, and to conserve the area’s unique habitats. The Dewdneys give generously of their time as speakers and trip leaders for naturalist and conservation groups. For the past 15 years they have grown Carolinian trees from local seed and then distributed them at annual "Forest City Tree Days". Of special note is their extensive study of the A’Nowaghi Forest Ponds, one of London’s Environmentally Significant Areas (ESA). Over several years they gathered detailed information about the history, geology and biology of the area into a report that lays the foundation for sound management of A’Nowaghi. The Dewdneys recently became "conservation buyers" by purchasing a wooded tract of the Newport Forest, near the Skunk’s Misery Carolinian Canada site.

Steve Hounsell, Ontario Power Generation, Carbon Sequestration and Biodiversity Management Program

Nominated by Kettle Creek Conservation Authority

Steve Hounsell is well known to the conservation community for his pioneering work within the corporate environment of Ontario Power Generation (formerly Ontario Hydro), where as Environmental Advisor he oversees OPG’s biodiversity programs. This award specifically recognizes Steve’s role in developing the Carbon Sequestration and Biodiversity Management Program through which OPG has made an initial commitment to plant 1.6 million native trees and shrubs in southern Ontario by 2004. Steve helped to develop Carolinian Canada’s Big Picture Vision and is helping to implement that vision through this extensive planting program.

for more information visit OPG website click here

Steve was a featured guest speaker at a plaque unveiling for the Catfish Creek Carolinian Canada site. To read the text of his speech, follow this link. click here

Stoney Creek Open Spaces & Natural Environment Study (SCONES) – City of Hamilton

Nominated by Hamilton Halton Watershed Stewardship Program

SCONES was developed in order to promote biodiversity in accordance with the United Nations policies for protecting World Biosphere Reserves, the Canadian Biodiversity Strategy, the Carolinian Canada Program, the Provincial Policy Statement on Natural Heritage, the Niagara Escarpment Plan and the Regional Official Plan. The study was undertaken by students of Ryerson Polytechnic University as the first stage of a natural heritage component of the City of Stoney Creek’s Official Plan. Based upon their study, policies and guidelines were developed to identify and conserve four categories of environmental policy areas. After extensive public consultation during 1999 and 2000, Council adopted the SCONES policies and referred them to the new amalgamated City of Hamilton.