Nominations Open for Conservationist of the Year Award

In what is ABCA's 80th anniversary, the public is invited to make nominations for the Conservationist of the Year Award.

Since 1984, Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) has presented the Conservationist of the Year Award, recognizing outstanding achievements in conservation and stewardship.

In what is ABCA’s 80th anniversary, the public is invited to nominate a person, business, farm, community group, or organization for the award.

For more than four decades this award has been presented to rural landowners, residents, agricultural producers and farms, service clubs, community organisations, companies, nature group and municipalities.

This award is one of the ways the conservation authority can thank local stewards for protecting and enhancing local watershed resources.

“We are thankful for the land and water stewardship by watershed landowners, residents and community groups,” said Ray Chartrand, Chair of the ABCA Board of Directors.

“Our conservation authority began in 1946 and in our 80th year we are pleased to present this award of recognition once again. We encourage the public to nominate worthy nominees for this award.”

According to ABCA, individuals, organizations and companies who either reside in or have completed conservation work in the ABCA area are eligible to win the Conservationist of the Year award. Current ABCA staff and directors are excluded.

This award acknowledges an individual or group per year, who demonstrates positive, sustainable conservation principles.

According to ABCA, the nominee must have undertaken conservation efforts over a few years showing long-term benefits for nature and society.

Examples include improving local water quality, conservation farming, reforestation, conservation education, providing wildlife and fish habitat, and promoting awareness and action for soil, water and habitat for all living things.

The winner of the award will be presented with a hand-crafted gift and a donation will be made in their name towards a tree and plaque at a Commemorative Wood site, maintained by Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation.

Nominations will be accepted up until February 15.

To submit a nomination, visit https://www.abca.ca for the nomination form at the Conservation Award link: https://www.abca.ca/involved/award/