Ontario Nature Conservation Award Recipients for 2015

The Ontario Nature Conservation Awards recognize excellence by honouring individuals, groups, government agencies and corporations who have worked to protect nature in Ontario.

Scott Gillingwater received the W.W.H. Gunn Conservation Award for his dedication to protecting at-risk species and helping to ensure common species remain common.

Bud Rowe, former president of the Kingston Field Naturalists, received the W.E. Saunders Natural History Award for his outstanding contributions to the protection of natural areas in eastern Ontario.

Jennifer Howard received the Richards Education Award for her lifelong commitment to conservation. She spends countless hours volunteering for causes related to wildlife rescue and rehabilitation, as well as education and conservation programs.

SongbirdSOS Productions received the Carl Nunn Media and Conservation Award for The Messenger. The award-winning documentary raised awareness of the mass depletion of songbird populations around the world.

Simon de Boer received the Steve Hounsell Greenway Award for his contributions to the Greenway Grey-Bruce project. Simon’s efforts were instrumental to the program’s success as he helped bridge the gap between conservationists and farmers.

Alan Macnaughton received the Ontario Nature Achievement Award for his commitment to citizen science initiatives, in particular the creation of an interactive mapping application. Various companies and organizations use his application to inform their research and survey efforts, consultation work and environmental assessments.

Freeman Boyd received the Ian Shenstone Fraser Memorial Award for his contribution to naturalists clubs across Ontario and for the creation of the Young Naturalists Club.

City of London received the Lee Symmes Municipal Award for its commitment to protecting Environmentally Significant Areas.

Friends of the Rouge Watershed received the J.R. Dymond Public Service Award for its efforts green-space promotion and education. The award also honours the group’s commitment to improving water quality and restoring habitat in the Rouge River watershed and Toronto’s Great Lakes Water Quality Area of Concern.

Ontario Nature is a charity that has been protecting wild species and wild spaces through education, conservation and public engagement since 1931. We are there when nature needs us most.