Conservation Award Recipients for 2016

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

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.

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.