For Immediate Release
Friday, November 9, 2007
FRIENDS OF THE CREDIT AWARDS
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| Winners of the Friends of the Credit Awards of Excellence, Distinction, and Merit Awards. |
For the last 20 years, the Friends of the Credit awards recognizes individuals, landowners, community groups, small businesses and corporations, or municipalities and agencies who have made a significant contribution to natural resource management in the Credit Valley watershed. The awards are presented on behalf of the Credit Valley Conservation (CVC) Board of Directors and recognize first-time projects, or those that have extended over multiple years, and include: restoration projects, events, publications, educational programs, donations of conservation lands or easements, environmental policies or plans, or advocacy for natural heritage protection.
This year the Stewardship Forum, C3: Climate Change in the Credit, featured a panel of experts some of whom included Dr. Paul Gracy, Senior Advisor Climate Change, Ministry of Natural Resources and David Noble, 2degreesC & Associate. The speakers examined the impacts of Climate Change, discussed innovative adaptive strategies and explored inventive youth initiatives. As well, the Stewardship Forum provided an opportunity to network with several groups including environmental leaders, municipalities, agencies, naturalists, farming communities and a host of other community organizations.
This year’s award winners were:
Award of Excellence (2)
Patrick Kelly - Mississauga
For his dedication to lifetime learning, enthusiasm and passion for the Credit Valley Watershed
Chris Walker - Georgetown
For his lifetime involvement with the Bruce Trail Association, leaving an incredible legacy of achievement in the Credit Valley Watershed
Award of Distinction (7)
Region of Peel – The Peel Water Story and Peel EcoFair
For the promotion of regional watershed stewardship action and youth stewardship projects
Caledon Hills Bruce Trail Club & Upper Canada College Outdoor School
For the one-kilometre trail rehabilitation project near the Cheltenham Badlands, reducing the extensive erosion occurring in this area
Damian MacSeain - Brampton
For his environmental leadership and commitment to the delivery of the Peel Water Story and the Peel EcoFair
Gregg Reekie - Shelburne
For his years of commitment in delivering the EcoCamp Program at the Island Lake Conservation Area Nature Centre
Peter Orphanos - Mississauga
For his many years of dedication to the preservation and promotion of the Credit River Valley
Steve Revell - Erin
For more than 20 years, he has brought enthusiasm and commitment to numerous environmental initiatives in the West Credit River
Bob Levesque - Mississauga
For championing innovative methods of channel restoration and rehabilitation on the Credit River
Certificate of Merit (12)
Environmental Services Section, City of Mississauga
For their innovative response to the concerns of the local community on the health of the Watercolours Stormwater Management Pond
North-South Environmental Inc. and Town of Halton Hills
Using the Hungry Hallow Ravine Management Plan, they developed a public use monitoring system, engaging local residents and groups in restoration planting
Region of Peel – Lawn and Garden Program
Consultation program aimed at educating homeowners on healthy lawn maintenance through door-to-door campaign and workshops
Burbank & Walnut Grove Neighbourhood Association - Mississauga
Organizing three community treeplanting events and educating neighbours about the Sawmill Creek Subwatershed
Karen Hutchinson- Caledon
For her hard work as the Executive Director of the Caledon Countryside Alliance, where she continues to develop and support many environmental initiatives, engaging Caledon residents in local stewardship
SGI Canada – Caledon & Toronto
Annual tradition of volunteerism - 2007 planting at Ken Whillans Resource Management Area
The Woodlands School Environment Club - Mississauga
2007 Environment Week Events including an e-waste collection program and ‘Toonies for Trees’ Program to raise money for treeplanting on school grounds
Down-to-Earth Club – Fallingbrook Middle School - Mississauga
The Down-to-Earth Club planted 500 native trees and shrubs at the Creditview Wetland involving 600 students over two days in 2007
Henry Frania - Toronto
His ongoing research helped identify the decline of the Green Drake Mayfly in the Credit River Watershed
Karen Campbell – Hillsburgh
Since 1999, has lead Everdale Environmental Learning Centre’s education programs: “Curriculum Alive”, “Farmers in the Schools”, and “Farmer for a Day”
Rachel Sharpe - Mississauga
Created Ministry of Education approved course “Aquatic Ecology of the Credit Valley Watershed” – engaging students with in-field studies focused on Cooksville Creek
Brian Thomas – Halton Hills
The Treasurer and Steering Committee member for the Willow Park Ecology Centre for eight years, coordinating two major projects to help build the Centre
Background:
In order to be considered for an award the projects must: involve a long-term benefit; contribute to an environmentally healthy river; try to represent cooperation with other agencies and groups.
The Award of Excellence is the most prestigious conservation award to be won. It recognizes an individual or group that has made an extraordinary contribution to the conservation of the watershed. The project or activity must represent an unusual level of commitment, such as a lifetime of personal service to watershed conservation that achieved exceptional results.
The Award of Distinction is presented to those outstanding individuals or groups whose projects and/or activities reflect a significant contribution to the conservation of the watershed. The project or activity provides long-term benefits and is related to CVC program objectives. The project should also reflect a relatively significant contribution of personal time and or resources.
The Certificate of Merit recognizes nominations that are consistent with the overall purpose of the conservation awards program, i.e. to improve the health of the river.
The Young Conservationist Award recognizes nominations consistent with the overall purpose of the conservation awards program and is open to individuals or groups under the age of 25.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Bernadette Fernandez,
Communications Specialist
905-670-1615 ext 240
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