Conservation Authorities Salute the Community!

RIDEAU VALLEY, October 23, 2008 — The inaugural Tri-Valley Conservation Awards Gala Committee pulled out all the stops to thank and spotlight thirteen community volunteers and groups as vital parts of the conservation team in Eastern Ontario. More than 100 people from the Mississippi, Rideau and South Nation watersheds were on hand last night in the Rideau Valley Conservation Centre in Manotick to hear and see the work of these community groups and to congratulate them on their environmental achievements.

First and second place winners in the following categories were recognized:

Primary Schools:

1. Meadowview Public School, Addison
2. Drummond Central School, Perth

Intermediate/High Schools

1. St Michael Catholic High School, Kemptville
2. Fisher Park Public School, Ottawa

College/University:

1. Dr Frances Pick, University of Ottawa

Agriculture:

1. Tom Manley, Berwick

Community Groups:

1. Otty Lake Association, Perth
2. Dundas Environmental Awareness Group, South Mountain

Individuals:

1. Gaston Patenaude, Berwick
2. Michael Walters, Ottawa

Business:

1. Ottawa Region Media Group
2. Long Island Marine, Kars

Municipalities:

1. Township of Lanark Highlands

The winning projects of all the finalists are described on the Gala Program which is available for viewing on the RVCA website at www.rvca.ca. Look for the Conservation Awards Gala symbol.

The Gala was MCed by Katfish and Kornicky, the Start Up! team on LIVE88.5 radio. The ceremony was followed by a reception including catered buffet, live music, cash bar and lots of interesting conversations till well into the evening.

Mary Bryden, Chair of the Gala Organizing Committee, said “We are aware of many hundreds of small voluntary projects going on all the time like planting trees, teaching kids the value of water, removing hazardous household waste or chemicals from homes, and fencing livestock away from streams that are treated as everyday things that never receive one minute of thanks. This was our chance to shine a little light on the public benefits that these people bring to all of us and to tell folks that we appreciate it.”

Prize winners received personalized canoe paddles with a message of thanks from the people of the Mississippi, Rideau and South Nation watersheds or framed certificates. Both are suitable for display on a school, club house or boardroom wall.

The Conservation Authorities had much help and gala support from many community-minded partners including LIVE88.5 radio, ROGERS TV, Ottawa Region Media Group, Mountain Equipment Coop, GOLDER ASSOCIATES, Monterey Inn Resort and Conference Centre and the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation.

The next Tri-Valley Conservation Awards are scheduled for the fall of 2010 and everyone will be welcome to nominate their best and favourite environmental volunteers once again.

By shelley | Posted in Success Story |