Buy locally grown food to save transportation fuel and emissions. Buy food with less packaging, and fresh food, which requires less energy to produce than frozen food.

Conservation Awards

Do you know someone who has contributed to environmental improvements in the past year? If so, we want to hear about them! The Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA) is calling for nominations for its annual Conservation Awards. These awards honour and recognize those in the community who have made outstanding contributions towards improving our natural environment, and ultimately the health and quality of life in the Essex Region.

There is a critical need for local environmental protection and restoration. While the United Nations has indicated that at a minimum, at least 12% of any region must consist of natural areas, in the Essex Region, merely 7.5% of our local landscape remains in its natural state. It is extremely important to recognize and thank all those who make a tangible contribution toward achieving this goal.

2010 ERCA Conservation Award Winners

Individual

Youth - Steven Brunet
Educational - Al Cook
Volunteer - Ashley Colasanti and Leigh Ann Mastronardi
Environmental Achievement - Francis Balsam

Organization

Educational - University of Windsor's Ornithology Research Group
Volunteer - Citizens Against Lake Erie Wind Turbines, Steering Committee (CALEWT)
Environmental Achievement - Jamieson Laboratories
Robert Pullleyblank Municipal Environmental Achievement - County of Essex

Other

Conservation Farm Award Winner - Buchanan Farm of Comber
Homestead Award Winner - Leamington District Weavers Guild

Nominations Deadline

Annual award nominations close on the second Friday of each December. The awards, presented since 1992, are presented at ERCA's Annual Meeting each year in January.

Award Categories
Youth Award:	Recognizing a youth leader who has undertaken habitat or conservation projects or activities and is a student in the elementary or secondary schools of our region.
Education Award:	For excellence in ongoing conservation education programs or individual projects in schools, organizations, youth groups etc.
Volunteer Award:	For outstanding effort in volunteering of time and services for conservation programs and projects.
Environmental Achievement Award:	For programs or projects undertaken which have, in a tangible way, enhanced the region's renewable natural resources - water, soil, flora and fauna.

Nominate Someone Today!

If you would like to nominate someone for an award, please click here.