CONSERVATION AWARDS ANNOUNCED

October 1, 2004, Port Franks Ontario

Carolinian Canada honoured the recipients of their 2003-04 Conservation Awards today for their outstanding contribution towards the protection of the natural diversity and natural habitat of Ontario's Carolinian Zone. Recipients from Toronto, Sarnia, Walpole Island, Oxford county and Rodney received awards in four categories: Individual, Group, Youth and Lifetime Achievement. The Youth Category is a new addition to the Conservation Awards. The five recipients are:

Individual: Tom Bird (Oxford County Woodlot Owners Association)

Groups: Sarnia Urban Wildlife Committee
Walpole Island Heritage Centre, Nin Da Waab Jig (Natural Heritage Program)

Youth: Branksome Green (Ravine Woodland Restoration School Project)

Lifetime Achievement: Bill Prieksaitis (West Elgin Field Naturalists)

Tom Bird manages his 30-acre wood as a demonstration site for good woodland stewardship. He undertook swamp restoration to correct historic wetland drainage. Identifying a need of landowners for more information and support he founded the Oxford County Woodlot Owners' Association and chaired the Stewardship Council. "Tom's effective leadership enabled the new council to work together, and agree to goals and objectives for the program that suited the needs of the Oxford County landowners." - Jim Collins, Past coordinator of Oxford County Stewardship Council

Branksome Green is Ravine Woodland Restoration Project initiated by the Branksome school in Toronto and has been running for over 9 years. The students were careful to collect the best science on the site and monitor the results. This project has raised awareness and has been a catalyst for other ravine landowners in the Lower Don River Valley to restore their own properties. "The school is very rooted in the community and has its own extended family of students, parents, faculty and alumnae. It is in many ways the ideal group for a landscape restoration. It has a history and a future. They are a relentless group. The results are showing." - Tanny Wells, Past chair, Bring Back the Don

The Natural Heritage Program of Walpole Island Heritage Centre (Nin Da Waab Jig) promotes stewardship of extensive Tallgrass habitats, Carolinian forests, coastal waters and one of the largest wetland systems in the Great Lakes on Walpole Island First Nation on the St. Clair River delta, a Carolinian Canada signature site. The program has protected 84 acres of significant habitat and engages in research and outreach. "This lively program is active in informing and educating the Walpole Island First Nations community about species and risk and promoting habitat stewardship. WIFN is home to 51 Species at Risk including several that have their Canadian stronghold here, or occur nowhere else in Canada." - Dr. Jane Bowles, Ecological Consultant

Sarnia Urban Wildlife Committee is a city committee initiated by concerned citizens to protect wildlife from the effects of urbanization and develop an urban ecosystem policy and program. It works with City and private landowners to protect and restore natural areas such as Dennis Rupert Prairie Reserve and species at risk American Chestnut and Dwarf Sandcherry. The volunteer group also makes community outreach a priority. "This committee has done extremely fine conservation work since its inception in 1994. Their accomplishments are many." - Gerry Clements, Lambton Wildlife

Bill Prieksaitis has been the driving force of the West Elgin Nature Club for over 30 years. He is the tireless volunteer who has motivated and inspired the residents of Elgin County to care for nature. Through his leadership, the West Elgin Christmas Bird Count is now one of the country's largest relative to club size. He has been instrumental in creative deals to protect natural areas such as the Dutton-Dunwich Prairie which the club leases from its railway owner to implement specialized management. He has been a key player in numerous projects including a 306-page book, Elgin Birds - a Century of Change. Bill gives away thousands of Carolinian trees that he grows from seed so future generations can know and admire these representative species of the Carolinian Zone. "Bill's actions and activities are not just restricted to those of his own home club, the West Elgin Naturalists, but are widespread throughout Elgin County. He leads by example. He has done just about everything that can be done from the manual of stewardship actions and activities. You name it; he's done it." - Dave Martin, ecological consultant

The five recipients represent the deep roots of conservation action in Carolinian Canada. "They are all significant leaders by example," said Michelle Kanter, Executive Director of Carolinian Canada Coalition. "Each recipient makes a big difference locally that multiplies across the zone, as they engage allies. It is through people and groups of this caliber, that our landscape will stay healthy for future generations. We are very pleased to recognize them taking the initiative, often against significant challenges, in preserving our natural places. "

The Awards ceremony took place at 6:30 p.m. in Port Franks as part of "Thinking Big, Wild Ideas" Carolinian Canada's 20th Anniversary Conference, partially funded by the George Cedric Metcalf Charitable Foundation. Carolinian Canada is a 20-year-old coalition of over 40 public sector and non-government 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.

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.

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