November 6, 2005, London, ON

Ceremony:  November 10, 2005 Ingersoll ON

Inspiring Conservation

2005 Carolinian Canada Conservation Award Nominees Announced

Nine exceptional people, programs, and groups have been nominated for Carolinian Canada’s 2005 Conservation Awards. Each has created ripples that have progressed to waves of awareness in their communities. Not only are they dedicated to improving their local natural areas, but their work inspires others to care for the environment.

The nominees include a city councilor, a winery, community volunteers, a highschool, stewardship and naturalist clubs,.  They are from across the zone, hailing from Oakville, Aylmer, Beamsville, Walsingham, Pelee Island, Sarnia, Lambton, Hamilton and London.

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.

Carolinian Canada is a coalition of over public and community organizations aimed at conserving the wildlife and habitats of southwest Ontario’s Carolinian life zone — a unique ecological region lying south of Toronto and Grand Bend.  Home to Tulip Tree,  Magnolia trees, Opossum and other wildlife found nowhere else in Canada, the zone has the richest biological diversity in Canada—and the greatest number of rare and endangered species.  The Coalition committee includes representatives from conservation, stewardship, education, farming, forestry and planning groups. 

The following excerpts from the nominations demonstrate the efforts of this year’s Carolinian Canada Conservation Award nominees. Award recipients will be announced at a ceremony at 4 pm on November 10, 2005 at the Elm Hurst in Ingersoll.

Margaret Reed, of Beamsville, works to preserve the natural features of the Cave Springs area in the Niagara region. As a volunteer, she has conducted numerous educational programs highlighting Carolinian forest ecosystems and species, focusing on how people can help protect natural areas. She has written a brochure and booklet, planted trees, and provided tours to increase environmental awareness.

Allan Elgar works to galvanize the Oakville community to protect forests and natural areas from urban sprawl. He founded a grassroots residents' group, was elected twice to local council, and has been selected for provincial commissions and conservation boards. His positive and inclusive style of activism proves that citizens can make a difference.

Mary and Wilfred Bradnock of London are hard-working volunteers who assist the Upper Thames Region Conservation Authority in its projects by spreading the word, finding good sites for restoration, keeping politicians informed, and assisting with educational programs. They have joined many school groups in planting trees and shrubs, and have instilled a sense of pride and environmental stewardship in students. 

Peter Carson of Walsingham has dedicated his life to conservation in the Carolinian region and also provincially. He is a tireless volunteer, an advisor on ecological restoration and protection of significant natural areas, and a founding member of and driving force behind Long Point Basin Land Trust.  With his partner, he runs a successful business, developing a 200-acre farm to provide native plants and seeds to the public and conservation organizations. 

Arthur Teasell of Sarnia, who passed away shortly after being nominated for this award, was responsible for setting up the Sarnia Urban Wildlife Committee, which protects and manages six natural areas. He was also very active on the Arbor Week Committee, and led the establishment of the Waterfront Protection Association, which is working to increase public access to natural beaches on the waterfront. The breadth of his efforts was exceptional.

Rural Lambton Stewardship Network (RLSN) has partnered and led hundreds of conservation projects in Lambton County. It has pursued pioneering opportunities aimed at a healthy rural environment, working closely with landowners on habitat restoration, tallgrass prairie projects, conservation tillage, water quality, and enhancement of natural values of Lambton County. Through RLSN’s efforts many farming landowners have turned non-productive areas of their land into aesthetic recreation and wildlife areas.

Pelee Island Winery has effectively put its money where its mouth is with respect to habitat improvement and creation. The winery’s vineyard operations and grape-growing practices have eliminated the use of fertilizers and pesticides. Along with being the main sponsor of the Pelee Island Winery Endangered Species Festival since 2001 and promoting education about rare species on their wine labels, the winery is also a key collaborator in an alvar restoration project. 

Hamilton Naturalists’ Club (HNC) was the first volunteer organization in Ontario to purchase significant areas as nature sanctuaries. Over the course of 85 years, it has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars towards its goals of preserving, protecting, and enhancing the natural environment around Hamilton and across Carolinian Canada. 

East Elgin Secondary School Environmental Leadership Class of Aylmer is one of the most sought-after classes at the school,  eagerly attended by students committed to conserving Ontario’s natural heritage. All students invest many volunteer hours in the Catfish Creek watershed, in the heart of the Carolinian zone, and they’re not afraid to get a little wet or a little dirty doing everything from tree planting and prairie restoration to streambank work or organizing a Waterfowl Festival.

Award recipients in individual, group, lifetime achievement and youth categories will be announced on Thursday, November 10.  All are welcome to join Carolinian Canada to share the stories and successes of our Conservation Award Nominees and Recipients

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