Community Leaders Honoured through Environmental Awards Program

For Immediate Release

Community Leaders Honoured through Environmental Awards Program

June 22, 2021 – Credit Valley Conservation (CVC) took a creative approach this week to recognize the latest recipients of their Friends of the Credit Conservation Awards. Staff personally delivered the prestigious awards through a physically distanced curbside drop-off. The Conservation Awards program recognizes partners and community members inspired by nature to do important environmental work in the Credit River Watershed. The celebration was originally scheduled for March 2020 but cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions.

CVC recognized conservation efforts in eight award categories including: Youth Achievement, Outstanding Volunteer, Environmental Awareness, Landowner Stewardship, Corporate Leadership, Green Cities, Watershed Excellence and Legacy Donor. Community leaders in Caledon were presented with three awards.

Janice McClellan received the Outstanding Volunteer Award for more than 30 years of dedicated service with the Bruce Trail Conservancy (BTC). Throughout her tenure, Janice led fundraising efforts and public education initiatives that helped BTC acquire land and protect nature for future generations of trail users.

This year CVC awarded the Legacy Donor Award to two watershed recipients. TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley and the Humeniuk Foundation were recognized for their commitment to the environment through significant financial contributions to help secure key land for the Credit Valley Trail (CVT) project. TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley named Credit Valley Conservation Foundation (CVCF) as a charitable recipient of the Osprey Valley Open in 2018 and 2019. Through the tournaments they donated $25,000 to directly support CVCF’s Capstone campaign. In 2019, the Humeniuk Foundation donated an additional $250,000 toward the campaign. Together, the donations made up more than half of CVCF’s fundraising target. TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley and the Humeniuk Foundation are helping protect nature for the next generation.

Takla Foundation also received the Legacy Donor Award for their commitment to help protect nature for future generations. They generously supported CVCF’s Capstone Campaign with a $30,000 donation for land securement and to build the CVT. Their support will help develop a key piece of the trail and leave a legacy that will connect people with nature and protect vital habitat in the watershed for generations.

The Conservation Awards program began in 1986. Awards are presented by CVC’s Board of Directors to honour those who demonstrate the organization’s core values of leadership, collaboration, innovation and integrity through environmental practices. Since the program began, CVC has recognized approximately 367 community leaders for work that connects people to nature, knowledge to action and inspires a deep appreciation for the local environment.
The additional Friends of the Credit Conservation Award winners include:

Youth Achievement Award – Deon Singh
Environmental Awareness Award – Michael Sklad
Landowner Stewardship Award – Sarah Mailhot
Corporate Leadership Award – Global Investment Bank and Financial Services (Citi), and Four X Development (DG Group), Beacon Environmental, Rand Engineering Corporation, NAK Design Group & ConDrain Group
Green Cities Award – Tara Day-Orzechowski, Adam Tompkins and Michael Hoy
Watershed Excellence Award – Gavin Dandy

About Credit Valley Conservation (CVC)
Credit Valley Conservation (CVC) is a local conservation authority established by the Ontario government in 1954 to protect, restore and enhance the natural environment of the Credit River watershed. That watershed is the area of land where all rainfall, snowmelt and runoff drains into lands and waters flowing into the Credit River. CVC creates connections between people and nature, knowledge and action. It inspires a deep appreciation for the role of nature in keeping people connected, healthy and happy. CVC is a member of Conservation Ontario.

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Media Contact
Jamie Williams
Marketing & Communications Specialist
Credit Valley Conservation
905-431-5772
[email protected]