By Pepper Parr
September 15th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Conservation Halton welcomed over 90 guests to the Mountsberg Conservation Area for Watershed Stewards Appreciation Day.
The event is an occasion to recognize the outstanding efforts of local landowners in environmental stewardship and introduced the twelve recipients of the 2023 Watershed Stewardship Award.
Included in the 12 are: Bill Grierson & Family, Sherman Sand & Gravel Ltd.,Jennifer & Tim Pahapill and Sarah Wakefield & Colin McMullan
This is what Watershed Stewards look like. Individually this group has made a difference. The President & CEO Conservation Halton is Hassaan Basit on the left hand side.
This award is presented annually to individuals, organizations, and businesses that demonstrate a commitment to protecting natural features on private or public land. The 2023 winners included four landowners in Conservation Halton’s watershed, recognized in the categories of agriculture, business, urban, and countryside.
Two categories were co-presented with the Cootes to Escarpment EcoPark System to celebrate projects in urban and countryside spaces that maintain ecological corridors for wildlife movement.
“We are pleased to recognize the hard work and achievements of engaged landowners in our watershed,” said Hassaan Basit, President & CEO, Conservation Halton. “Their efforts in environmental restoration and climate change mitigation are inspiring, and they have a direct impact on the health and resilience of our watershed. We are grateful to each of this year’s winners—and to all past stewards—for their collaboration and commitment to protecting nature in the communities where they live and work.”
Conservation Halton and Hamilton Conservation Authority have recognized more than 300 local landowners and their families since 1994 for exceptional stewardship of wildlife, meadows, streams, woodlands, wetlands, valley lands and the escarpment. Collectively, these landowners protect over 13,400 acres of land.
Conservation Halton also offers a variety of financial support programs for landowners who are interested in leading stewardship projects on their property. Learn more about Conservation Halton’s Financial Assistance Programs here: https://www.conservationhalton.ca/financial-assistance-programs/
Conservation Halton is the community-based environmental agency that protects, restores, and manages the natural resources in its watershed. The organization has staff that includes ecologists, land use planners, engineers, foresters and educators, along with a network of volunteers, who are guided by a Board of Directors comprised of municipally elected and appointed citizens. Conservation Halton is recognized for its stewardship of creeks, forests and Niagara Escarpment lands through science-based programs and services.
