Healthy Community Award
The Healthy Community Award celebrates individuals or groups in our watershed who have completed a project that increases community connections and engagement through events, fairs and festivals; tree plantings; clean-ups and community programs. It also acknowledges significant traditional media or social media coverage; delivering innovative environmental programs or services; as well as sharing knowledge and information through campaigns.
The Healthy Community award was presented to the following recipients in 2023:
Aurora Community Arboretum (Town of Aurora)
The Aurora Community Arboretum has a dedicated Board of Directors and group of volunteers who collectively have organized 29 community planting events and planted more than 12,470 native trees and shrubs across 16.8 acres to enrich the community’s diverse ecosystem and connect the community with nature. Beyond the planting events, this group has also participated in the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup, organized tree tours and walks, and engaged in the management and control of invasive species.
Counterpoint Engineering Inc. (Towns of Aurora, East Gwillimbury & Township of King)
Counterpoint Engineering Inc. has actively participated in the Lake Simcoe Conservation Foundation’s Conservation Days Program since 2019. They’ve collectively planted a total of nearly 600 native plants at various locations, including the Aurora Community Arboretum, Pottageville Community Park and Sharon Hills Park. Their efforts have naturalized these public spaces, enhanced the biodiversity of the area and have created valuable wildlife habitats.
DG Group (Towns of Aurora, East Gwillimbury & Township of King)
The DG Group has actively engaged in the Lake Simcoe Conservation Foundation’s Conservation Days Program, planting 500 native trees and shrubs at various locations in the Lake Simcoe watershed. Their commitment to environmental stewardship enhances wildlife habitats, riparian buffers and community biodiversity, highlighting their dedication to creating a more sustainable and ecologically vibrant community.
Donald, Mary & Shona Taylor (Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury)
Donald, Mary and Shona Taylor established the 452 Foundation after Donald’s retirement to support innovative environmental programs addressing climate change in Ontario. They partnered with the Conservation Authority to explore climate-related initiatives and fund research on carbon sequestration in habitat restoration projects in the Lake Simcoe watershed. This research will help gain valuable insight into how habitat restoration can effectively offset greenhouse gas emissions and guide conservation efforts across southern Ontario.
St. Jean de Brebeuf Catholic Elementary School (Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury)
St. Jean de Brebeuf Catholic Elementary School celebrated Catholic Education Week with a tree planting event. Students planted native trees and shrubs on the school grounds, and Hayley Williamson from the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation performed a tree blessing ceremony, including smudging and a drum song. This event demonstrated the school’s commitment to environmental stewardship and engaged students in indigenous cultural traditions, fostering appreciation for both the natural environment and Indigenous culture.
TS Tech (Town of Newmarket)
TS Tech has actively participated in the Lake Simcoe Conservation Foundation’s Conservation Days Program since 2016. Over the years, their dedicated volunteers have planted nearly 4,000 native plants, focusing on community parks, trail systems and riparian areas. In the spring of 2023, they planted 300 native trees and shrubs along the Magna Trail in the Town of Newmarket, contributing to the beauty of public spaces and fostering healthier ecosystems, wildlife habitats and the overall ecological balance in the Lake Simcoe watershed.
Who to Contact
Katarina Zeppieri
✆ 905-895-1281 x 116
✆ 1-800-465-0437 Toll free
✉ k.zeppieri@lsrca.on.ca
Award nominations
Thank you for submitting your 2023 award nominations. Nominations are now closed.