COURTNEY McCLURE, for The Standard
NORTH DURHAM: “Every day, caring and selfless people engage in positive environmental actions [which] contribute to a more sustainable and healthier watershed,” wrote Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority.
The Lake Simcoe Conservation Authority (LSRCA) is taking the time to recognize locals as “heroes”. They are hosting the Watershed Heroes award ceremony to honour people who have done noteworthy things for the Lake Simcoe area’s watershed.
If you know someone who is a Lake Simcoe Watershed Hero, the Conservation Authority welcomes you to nominate them. “Each year, countless residents of all ages demonstrate their commitment to our region’s natural heritage, for the benefit and enjoyment of future generations,” wrote the Conservation Authority.
Nominations have been open since May 20th, 2021 and will close June 25th, 2021.
The award categories include Healthy Water, Healthy Land and Healthy Community. The Healthy Water award will be given to a person or group who has completed a project providing support, improvement, or protection for the quality of the water in Lake Simcoe’s watershed.
The Healthy Land award will go to someone who has created a project which supports and protects the natural heritage features of the Lake Simcoe watershed. This includes woodlands, wetlands, and their functions.
Functions of wetlands and woodlands include creating habitat for wildlife, generating biodiversity and ecological restoration and much more.
The Health Community award will be given to a person or group who created a project [which] engages and connects people, living in the Lake Simcoe community, to the region’s watershed.
Examples include: festivals, clean-up committees, community tree plantings and various community programs.
The LSRCA also include the Ernie Crossland Young Conservationist Award and George R. Richardson Award of Honour.
The Ernie Crossland Young Conservationist Award has been given to an individual or a group, whose ages range from 30 years old and below. They must play a significant leadership role in a conservation project.
Nari Hwang was one of their past nominees. She won the Ernie Crossland Young Conservationist Award in 2019.
At the time, Nari was in Grade 6, attending Shanty Bay Public School, located in the rural community of Shanty Bay, Ont.
Nari has created art from garbage and plastic.
She did this to raise awareness about the negative impact water pollution has on the environment. She has also spoken at school assemblies about plastic waste and how it impacts natural habits and the environment.
The George R. Richardson Award of Honour has been awarded to one person each year, given to recognize and honour a lifetime of environmental achievement.
If participants and nominees need clarification, please contact Katarina Zeppieri, at communications@LSRCA.on.ca
The virtual award ceremony will be held on Friday, November 26th, 2021.
According to Event and Marketing Specialist, at the Simcoe Lake Conservation Authority, Katarina Zeppieri, the awards ceremony has been well-received by the community.
Award recipients don’t hesitate to let the Authority know they are humbled to have their accomplishments recognized.
The LSRCA has been celebrating environmental success for over 40 years. And their program makes sure to recognize the effort of local people and groups who are working to improve Lake Simcoe Region’s watershed.
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