Ontario Nature's 2016 Conservation Award winners © Noah Cole
Ontario Nature 2016 Conservation Awards recipients group photo (left to right): Andrew Reeves for Shawn Micallef, Karen Bateman and Marilyn Swaby, Bill McIlveen, Steve Irvine for Joe Johnson, Stephanie Sobek-Swant for Michael Barnstijn and Louise MacCallum, Larry Cornelis, Jenn Bock and Kyle Horner for Wild Ontario, Beverly Kingdon, Wendy Burton for Oakville Mayor Robert Burton
Individuals and groups recognized for outstanding environmental leadership
ONTARIO, June 5, 2017 – On June 3rd, Ontario Nature celebrated the dedication of individuals, organizations and cities for their conservation efforts across Ontario. These conservation heroes fought to preserve Ontario’s natural beauty as they went above and beyond to protect wild species and wild spaces. Held at the Kempenfelt Conference Centre in Innisfil, the award ceremony was part of a weekend event celebrating Ontario Nature’s 86th anniversary.
The conservation award recipients were:
Larry Cornelis, former president of Lambton Wildlife Inc. and the Sydenham Field Naturalists, received the Ontario Nature Achievement Award for his conservation work in southwestern Ontario. He is a sought-after speaker for local naturalist clubs and gardening groups, and also leads hikes for Lambton Wildlife’s young naturalists group and Sarnia Girl Guides.
Dorothy Tiedje received the W.E. Saunders Natural History Award for her outstanding contributions to the field of botany in Ontario.
Bill McIlveen received the W.W.H. Gunn Conservation Award for his dedication to surveying and writing about Ontario’s wildlife and plants. He has authored more than 300 articles and reports on nature in the province.
Karen Bateman and Marilyn Swaby received the Richards Education Award for their longtime commitment to connecting children and youth with nature. They both volunteer with Nature Guelph’s Young Naturalists Program.
Oakville Mayor, Robert Burton received the Lee Symmes Municipal Award for his work to make Oakville one of the leading municipalities on environmental issues.
Joe Johnson received the Ian Shenstone Fraser Memorial Award for his contribution to numerous life science reports for the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.
Michael Barnstijn and Louise MacCallum, founding members of rare Charitable Research Reserve, received the Steve Hounsell Greenway Award. Their work ensures over 900 acres of highly sensitive lands remain protected and accessible to the public.
Beverly Kingdon received the J.R. Dymond Public Service Award for her tireless efforts to reintroduce and protect trumpeter swans in Ontario.
Shawn Micallef received the Carl Nunn Media and Conservation Award for his work with Spacing Magazine and The Toronto Star to capture nature in urban areas and remind readers they belong to a broader environment.
Wild Ontario received the Ontario Nature Corporate Award for its science-based environmental education throughout southwestern Ontario using live, non-releasable birds-of-prey.
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For more information, photos or to arrange an interview, please contact:
John Hassell | Director of Communications and Engagement, Ontario Nature
Tel: 416-444-8419 ext. 269 | Cell: 416-786-2171 | johnh@ontarionature.org
Ontario Nature protects wild species and wild spaces through conservation, education and public engagement. Ontario Nature is a charitable organization representing more than 30,000 members and supporters, and 150 member groups across the province. ontarionature.org.