AGM 2015
Carolinian Canada's AGM took place on the eve of the first Go Wild Grow Wild Expo, brining together expo exhibitors, sponsors, and members for an evening of networking, awards, and special announcements.
Big Picture Report Card Project Launch
At AGM 2015, Carolinian Canada launched a new project to develop a landscape-level monitoring tool for use by diverse stakeholders to help inform, target and track conservation efforts. Read more about the Big Picture Report Card - click "the Big Picture in Action" above.
Awards 2015
2015 Carolinian Canada Award Recipients
At AGM 2015, Carolinian Canada honoured Rob and Eleanor Ward of Union, Ontario with the Lifetime Achievement award. Jarmo Jalava, Carolinian Canada’s Program Director, describes the Wards as dedicated volunteers who enthusiastically steward imperiled grassland birds, provide habitat to many Species at Risk and assist in Natural Heritage Inventories.
Three individuals who have protected the natural habitat of Carolinian Canada through exemplary volunteer and land stewardship efforts also received awards. They include Al Driedger, and Grant and Mary-Ann Harvey. Danika Bax and JackieRyan received awards in the youth achievement category, and Peter Cloud Sr. received the Chair’s award in recognition of his outstanding contributions toward healthy ecosystems.
The Essex Region Conservation Authority was honoured with a group achievement award for outstanding work towards the protection of natural habitat. The Garden Club of London, Lambton Shores Nature Trails and the Delaware Nation were also awarded group achievement awards in recognition of their trail development and outreach work.
Read More About the 2015 Award Recipients
Our Network
Carolinian Canada's success is thanks to the strength of our network. Over 5000 groups and individuals in our core network represent stakeholders at every level who save, steward, and seed healthy ecosystems.
Media Reach
Publications great and small are writing about us! Our Big Picture messages to restore healthy functioning ecosystems in Canada’s “Deep South” reached over 250,000 people via television, radio and social media. Articles and events were promoted from Windsor all the way to Toronto in one of the Coalition's most successful media pushes yet.
Social Media Explosion
The Go Wild Grow Wild Team and Volunteers crafted a winning social media strategy through Facebook and Twitter to significantly expand the Coalition's reach and audience. Carolinian Canada's platforms now boast over 2000 followers, and in the months leading up to the expo saw an explosion of activity and over 50,000 views.
Carolinian Canada Volunteers Matter
Volunteer Profile: Jennifer H.
Jennifer H. volunteered to lead Carolinian Canada's social media efforts by contributing content regularly during the lead up to the 2016 Go Wild Grow Wild Expo, helping to set the ground-work for a strengthened online community. This is what she has to say about herself:
"My goal is to build a larger community in support for the Carolinian Zone. I’m passionate about biodiversity storytelling and science communication. I believe scientifically, visually and artistically we can draw more interest to the ecosystem through the use of pictures, maps, and infographics. Specializing in land stewardship; I’ve worked with a variety of stakeholders to build long term commitments in support of biodiversity, species at risk, and nature. I’m hoping that by using both art and science to tell a story, we can expand upon the work CCC is doing, and bring in new support to protect and restore green space in Canada’s heavily populated south."
Thank you to all of our volunteers and in-kind partners, including over 200 groups and individuals!
Network Impact
Recycling with PURPOSE: Local Student's Recycling Business Donates to Carolinian Canada
Photo credit: Kathleen Blake-Pluzak
Quinton and Blake Pluzak started a recycling business 4 years ago when they were 11 and 12 years old, calling their business Pluzak Useful Recycling Protecting Our Sacred Environment (PURPOSE). They provide their own bins to their frequent customers (mostly neighbours and friends) and collect aluminum cans and returnable glass bottles. Both boys are active volunteers in the community and are avid outdoorsmen as well, with a great deal of respect for the natural environment.
In 2015, the boys made a $300 donation to the Carolinian Canada Coalition. Blake and Quinton said “We selected Carolinian Canada because we wanted to partner with an organization that has values similar to ours, that actively cares for the environment. Our family has a cottage in Port Franks and the two of us are avid fishermen, cyclists, and rowers at Fanshawe Conservation Area. The Carolinian Canada Coalition was a natural fit!”