November 1, 2003, Essex

Carolinian Canada today presented a conservation award to Patricia Rhoads of Essex County for her and her family's work restoring and monitoring the ecological health of Carolinian habitat in Canada's most threatened ecological region--Ontario's Carolinian Life Zone. The award was presented at a dinner organized by the Essex County Field Naturalists by Vicki McKay, a Director of the Carolinian Canada Coalition.

"Patricia's work over the years in protecting, restoring and monitoring natural heritage in Essex deserves recognition," said Vicki McKay. "Carolinian Canada is proud to recognize her contribution to conserving Carolinian species and habitats."

Each year Carolinian Canada presents awards for conservation and education efforts related to the special natural heritage of the Carolinian zone by recognizing outstanding contributions by individuals, corporations, non-profit organizations and government organizations.

Ms. Rhoads many accomplishments include:

• Helping establish environmental monitoring sites in Essex County including a site newly planted with trees and shrubs, a site to be restored and a mature forest owned and protected by Ms. Rhoads and her husband Chuck.
• Co-founding the Canada South Land Trust, an organization working for conservation of natural areas in Essex and surrounding areas.
• Organizing the first Habitat Restoration Conference for Essex and Kent Counties in March 2002 to provide local landowners information on how to restore natural habitat on their properties. Patricia was Chairperson for this conference, which addressed many topics of interest to landowners and featured highly respected speakers from conservation groups and government agencies.
• Starting a native plant nursery – Woodland Farm. At last count the number of trees, shrubs and wildflowers, all from local seed sources, was over 20,000 and growing!

Patricia is well known in Essex and beyond, having served in many other local organizations including Essex County Woodlot Owners’ Association, Essex County Field Naturalists’ Club, Christian Farmers Association of Essex County, Natural Habitat Restoration Program, and the Friends of Marshfield Woods.

Carolinian Canada is a 20-year-old coalition of 40+ public sector and non-government conservation organizations aimed at conserving the wildlife and habitats of southwest Ontario’s Carolinian zone—an ecological zone lying south of a line between Toronto and Grand Bend. Prickly pear cactus, opossum, sassafras and magnolia trees are among the unusual native species found here, typical of more southern climates of the eastern United States. The region has the greatest diversity of species in Canada—and the greatest number of rare and endangered species. The partnership includes federal and provincial departments and ministries, conservation authorities, naturalists' groups, agricultural groups and stewardship councils.

• More on Conservation Awards Program
• Picture of Patricia Rhoads receiving award

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