NVCA HONOURS CONSERVATION CHAMPIONS

Release from NVCA November 16, 2011

The Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority presented three Conservation Champion awards last night at the NVCA’s annual Evening of Thanks. The event is held to recognize the important contributions made by members of the public, partners, groups and municipalities within the NVCA watershed.

John and Rosemary Dunsmore, received an award for their generous donation of land to the NVCA for conservation and managed forest purposes. The 114 acres of deciduous forest in the Township of Springwater will provide environmental benefits for future generations.

 Oro-Medonte Mayor, Harry Hughes, presented the award to the Dunsmores, and congratulated them on their longstanding commitment to environmental protection, including their recent Ontario Minister’s Award for Environmental Excellence for significant contributions to protecting the environment in the Township of Oro-Medonte.

The Rotary Club of Barrie received an award for their ongoing support of NVCA programs, in particular funding and building the Tiffin Centre Green Energy demonstration shed. The shed uses solar panels and a small wind turbine to create the electricity needed to run the Tiffin Centre’s maple syrup operation. Additionally, the shed provides an opportunity for students of the NVCA’s outdoor education programs to witness firsthand how alternative energy works and can be used in a real-world setting.

Club President Stu McMillan, and member Jack Burke, received the award which was presented by the Chair of the NVCA Board of Directors, Walter Benotto. “It’s amazing to see the looks on kids’ faces when they see the green energy shed and get to understand how electricity is made,” Benotto said. “It’s due to groups like the Rotary Club of Barrie that such educational opportunities are possible here at the Tiffin Centre.”

Essa Mayor, Terry Dowdall, presented the third award to the Nottawasaga Steelheaders, Charlie Crosby, and Peter Hubar. The volunteer organization was recognized for their work to improve and maintain fish habitat, and their efforts to educate the public about the importance of the rivers and streams in the Nottawasaga Valley watershed to the overall health of communities. In a pre-taped speech, Nottawasaga Steelheaders President, Gary Christie, said: “Our motives are to make sure that future generations will have a watershed to benefit from, and to speak for all those species on the watershed that don’t have a voice, all of the creatures who are part of the important biodiversity. I hope we all go forward to do our best as conservation champions to take care of this watershed.”

An additional 20 certificates of recognition were presented to individuals or groups for their valuable contributions to the protection, conservation and enhancement of healthy waters. Among these were representatives of groups including area Rotary clubs, anglers’ organizations, environmental and water protection agencies, and “Friends of” groups that support the maintenance and development of conservation lands. Also recognized were volunteers from the NVCA’s conservation areas, environmental education program and landowners and local business people who participated in NVCA stewardship programs to protect source water and improve forest cover within the watershed.

Wayne Wilson, NVCA CAO/Secretary Treasurer, said: “It’s because of the people in this room and the many more that they represent that the NVCA is able to succeed at the work we do. Your support allows us to carry out the mandate given to us by the residents and municipalities in this watershed – to protect the land and the water we all rely on.”

 The Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority is a public agency dedicated to the preservation of a healthy environment through specialized programs to protect, conserve and enhance our water, wetlands, forests and lands. The Tiffin Centre is the site of the NVCA’s Administration Centre and home to their environmental outdoor education program