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Media Release: Carolinian Canada Honours Conservation Heroes with Awards

London, ON. May 30, 2014 – Carolinian Canada is proud to recognize a number of distinguished conservation heroes with Carolinian Canada Conservation Awards. Southern Ontario’s Carolinian Life Zone’s has a diverse array of species and habitats, many of which are threatened by pressures such as development and climate change. Good news stories about our relationship with the local natural environment are often hard to find.

But the Conservation Awards celebrate the ways in which people are creating healthier habitats. “This is an area where 98% of the land privately owned. The well-being of our local ecosystems is in our hands,” explains Bronwen Buck, Carolinian Canada’s Outreach Coordinator. “The good stewardship demonstrated by these role models shows we have the power to make local change that will have long-term benefits.”

Carolinian Canada is honouring Joe and Joyce Hickson of Leamington and Dave Wake of London with Lifetime Achievement awards. Caroline Biribauer, Outreach Coordinator for Essex Region Conservation Authority, introduced the Hicksons in an awards ceremony on May 22nd. “Joe and Joyce are the epitome of lifelong commitment. When I think of them, I think of legacy,” she says. “Joe, who is well into his 90s, is happiest when sharing his knowledge and wonder of the natural world with others. He loves telling stories about when certain trees were planted and how big and tall they are now.”

Six individuals who have helped natural habitat through exemplary volunteer and land stewardship efforts also received awards. They include Paul Gagnon, brothers Joe and Gunther Csoff and Angelle and Clen van Cleef for their work in the Norfolk area. David Ainslie, a Belle River (Essex) farmer is also a recipient. As an early adopter of habitat-friendly farming such as creating shelter-belts, his work embodies the forward-thinking approach that defines the spirit of the awards. In his acceptance speech, Ainslie summed up three decades with no regrets: “30 years ago today I made a decision to not remove my intact Carolinian Ecosystem. I think I’m ahead because of that.”

Jaffa Environmental Education Centre and John and Cynthia Cook took home awards in the “Group” category. Essex’s Brad Renaud received an honour for youth achievement.

It’s the cumulative result of actions like these that fuel Carolinian Canada’s Big Picture vision of connecting people to nature and creating an ecologically linked landscape. This year is Carolinian Canada’s 30^th Anniversary. Make your actions count by participating in its 30 for 30 Vision Campaign and attending special events throughout the Zone, challenging yourself to get outside and changing ideas and attitudes by sharing stories of conservation success.

Read more about the award winners here: http://caroliniancanada.ca/awards/2014.

About Carolinian Canada Coalition: The Carolinian Canada Coalition is dedicated to stewarding a healthy ecoregion in collaboration with a wide range of public and private stakeholders. CCC programs have been focusing on research, awareness and effective action by connecting people who care for nature since 1984.

Media Contacts:

Michelle Kanter, Executive Director, media@carolinian.org, 519-433-7077

Bronwen Buck, Outreach Coordinator, bbuck@carolinian.org, 519-341-3199

Jen van Overbeeke, Metcalf Foundation Intern and Outreach Assistant, intern@carolinian.org

Carolinian Conservation Award 2014 Recipients.

Back row, left to right: Paul Gagnon, Clen van Kleef, Joe Csoff, Gunther Csoff, Brad Renaud.
Front row, left to right: Joanne Beasley (Environmental Educator at Jaffa Environmental Education Centre), Angelle van Kleef, Cynthia Cook, John Cook, Dave Wake, and David Ainslie. Absent: Joe & Joyce Hickson.

Lifetime Achievement Awards:

Joe and Joyce Hickson (Leamington) - Together, Joe and Joyce have planted over 23,000 trees on their 88.5 acre property.

Dave Wake (London). Dave’s conservation-related volunteer work has spanned 50 years. He is currently on the board of the Thames Talbot Land Trust and has been a leader in efforts to protect Westminster Ponds Environmentally Sensitive Area.

Individual Awards:

David Ainslie (Belle River, Essex County) – Early adoption of conservation-friendly farm practices.

Joe and Gunther Csoff (Walsingham, Norfolk County) – Providing critical support for Norfolk’s Alternative Land Use Service (ALUS) program and prairie plantings.

Angelle and Clen van Cleef (Delhi, Norfolk County) – Dedication to stewardship and restoring rare habitat on their farm property.

Paul Gagnon (Norfolk County) – Exemplary efforts in promoting restoration and building partnerships between landowners and the conservation community.

Youth Award:

Brad Renaud (Essex County) – Committed to environmental leadership through his Scout work in Essex. One of the first young people to become a member of Essex Region Conservation Authority’s Youth Engagement Team.

Group Awards:

Jaffa Environmental Education Centre (Jaffa, Elgin County) – A Thames Valley District School Board environmental education centre near Aylmer, Ontario, with a brand new Carolinian Life Zone exhibit.

John and Cynthia Cook (Lambton Shores, Lambton) – Contributing to conservation in the home and place of business, the Forest Glen Herb Farm where they have maintained an enhanced their property to provide habitat for Carolinian Creatures of all sizes.