Gala Celebration of Environmental Excellence 2008
Enviro-Heroes
Profiles of the 2008 winners of the Haliburton Highlands Land Trust’s Enviro-Heroes awards.
- Margaret and Peter Brogden - Health and the Environment
- Jim McHardy - Environmental Education
- Haliburton Forest & Wild Life Reserve Ltd. (Peter Schleifenbaum) - Green Business
- John Lennard - The Arts and the Environment
- Ed Poropat - Stewardship
- Heather Ross- Enviro-Hero of the Year
Health and the Environment
(A person or organization that has drawn attention to the natural environment as a special place for healthy activity.)
Margaret and Peter Brogden
Hundreds of people living or visiting the Highlands have been inspired by Margaret and Peter Brogden to get out and active on our County’s great trails.
Whether it was hiking, cross-country skiing, cycling, snowshoeing or winter walking, the Brogden’s set the pace helping us burn more than a few calories year-round and connecting us with nature.
They are both role models, particularly for older persons, maintaining healthy, outdoor active living all through life. Knee and hip surgeries have hardly slowed them down - they are always up and out on the trails as soon as possible.
In addition to organizing many outings, Peter and Margaret have been advocates for and supporters of trails and trail activities throughout the County. In Algonquin Highlands they have been instrumental in developing and maintaining trails for both hiking and skiing.
They have been active with clubs and committees including the Algonquin Highlands Trails Committee, The Haliburton Highlands Trails and Tours Network, Ski Friends of the Frost Centre, Haliburton Ski Club, and the Glebe Park Committee and the Haliburton Real Easy Riders.
Wonderful trails such as the Crests of Kennesis and the Circuit of Five Points are their legacy that gives all of us the opportunity to discover the ecosystems and scenic landscapes of the Highlands.
Also nominated – Pamela Marsales; Sue Shikaze.
Environmental Education
(A person or group that has effectively organized and delivered environmental education opportunities for children, youth, or adults.)
Jim McHardy
With seven year-round centres and 20-plus summer camps, outdoor education and environmental education is an important activity in Haliburton County.
One person who has had a huge influence on its growth and success is Jim McHardy. Jim is the Director of Kinark Outdoors Centre and has been the Chair of the Haliburton Highlands Stewardship Council for many years.
His list of accomplishments is a long one. For example, Jim has been provided leadership and support for:
- Planning and organizing of the Haliburton/Muskoka Children's Water Festival;
- Developing a Sustainable Living Centre and its program in partnership with Sir Sandford Fleming College, Out To Learn, and other community partners;
- Educational programs offered by the Stewardship Council, including the Stewardship Series, Discovery Days, and various workshops and conferences;
- Greening of the Kinark Outdoor Centre;
- And most recently, Eco-schools program for the Trillium Lakelands District School Board and the Naturally Kids Discovery Day Camp.
Collaboration is Jim’s mantra. For example, Jim initiated the coming together of all the year-round outdoor centres to share information about programs and facilities, do joint marketing, and to develop an internship for outdoor educators.
Jim is quiet and unassuming but his good work, passion and creativity has touched many of us in this room.
Also nominated – Eric Lilius; Haliburton Highlands Field Naturalists (HHFN); Irene Heaven; Susan Ferren; Val Bishop.
Green Business
(A business or non-profit organization that has excelled in developing "green" business practices and/or providing "green" products/services that protect the environment.)
Haliburton Forest & Wild Life Reserve Ltd. (Peter Schleifenbaum)
Peter Schleifenbaum has received international and national recognition for his sustainable forestry practices in the Haliburton Forest.
It is only fitting that we in the Haliburton Highlands say "Thank you, Peter – you truly are an Enviro-hero".
Evidence of this is his respect for and understanding of natural ecosystems; the Forest’s designation as Canada’s first sustainable forest certified under the international Forest Stewardship Council; his contribution to ecosystem research; and his recent efforts to develop a facility to produce renewable energy from biomass.
Peter, his family, and staff have also created an outdoor centre unique in the industry that has become a popular destination for a variety of groups, including schools.
The Forest is the most prominent tourist attraction in the County and recognized as such worldwide. It offers a variety of innovative programs for nature enthusiasts such as the wonderful trail through the forest canopy, dog-sledding, mountain-biking, canoeing, astronomy, wolf howls, and the Wolf Centre itself.
Also nominated – Patient News Publishing; Know Your Home Inspections; Glenside Ecological Services.
The Arts and the Environment
(An artist who has produced a body of work that celebrates our natural environment.)
John Lennard
Who can resist the colourful landscape paintings of John Lennard? They exude his love of art and nature.
After more than thirty years devoted to painting, the natural world and the Haliburton Highlands continue to be a constant source of inspiration for his art.
John has exhibited his work in Canada, the United States and abroad for many years and has taught drawing and painting classes and workshops for both children and adults throughout his career, sharing his love of nature.
He is also a generous volunteer and has donated his stunning art to many causes over the years.
His style is reminiscent of some of the Group of Seven with brilliant reds, oranges, and blues that reflect a direct response to nature and the environment.
They intensify the subject and follow the seasons with a strong rich treatment which evokes the remembered sensations of season, place, and time.
The bold colours and strong design enable the viewers to look into the shadows and see light and colour they never knew existed in nature.
May we all have a John Lennard on our wall to help us reflect on and connect the beauty of the Haliburton Highlands.
Also nominated – Tom Green; Tiffany Howe; The Theatre for the Earth Troupe.
Stewardship
(A person, landowner or organization that has provided leadership in conserving and protecting our water, forests, flora, fauna or mineral resources.)
Ed Poropat
Stewardship is making a commitment and taking action to protect our environment and conserve our natural resources based on a set of beliefs, knowledge and sound understanding of ecosystems.
Ed Poropat, our Enviro-hero for Stewardship, is very deserving. From childhood, Ed has been studying and learning about the natural environment. He has thousands of hours studying birds, dragonflies, butterflies and even bats.
For many years he has shared his knowledge, love, and enthusiasm for the natural world as a park interpreter in Provincial Parks and as a teacher extraordinaire. Many of us in this room have experienced his amazing bat presentation.
Ed has put his expert knowledge to good work as the Haliburton coordinator of Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas project. He also has been developing a Haliburton County database for dragonflies, as well as organizing an annual butterfly count in the Highlands.
His work on butterflies and dragonflies has extended the range of species identified in Haliburton County. He is passionate about Citizen Science, which involves efforts of non-professionals who volunteer to monitor and protect living organisms and their habitats.
You won’t see Ed at too many meetings; he is probably out doing field work (or extreme kayaking). However we need more Eds - we admire and envy his intimate connection with the natural world; his ability to identify and name species; his understanding of ecological relationships, and his commitment to making a difference.
Ed will be dedicating even more of his time to inventory and stewardship activities over the next few months when he takes a leave from his full time teaching position.
Also nominated – Bruce and the late Norah Carruthers; Don Wright; Federation of Ontario Cottagers’ Associations Inc. (FOCA); Coalition for Equitable Water Flow (CEWF); Environment Haliburton! (EH!).
Enviro-Hero of the Year
(An individual, landowner, business or organization that has contributed in a unique and important way in 2007 to the protection and sustainability of our natural resources and environment through education, stewardship, healthy living, "green" business or the arts in Haliburton County.)
Heather Ross
For many years, Heather Ross, has worked tirelessly for the environment.
Heather is a leader. She was the first President of Environment Haliburton! Since its formation in 2003, she has given countless hours to that organization. Without fanfare or recognition, she continually offers to lead or support the work that EH! does.
Heather is a fountain of knowledge. Operating from deeply-held principles, Heather generously applies her considerable knowledge to issues ranging from aggregates to greenhouse gases to wetlands.
She pores over Official Plans and Zoning By-Laws, alert for details that will affect the natural environment.
Heather is a strong advocate. She writes substantive letters on behalf of EH! to bureaucrats, politicians, and newspapers. She has made presentations on behalf of EH! to municipal councils and to the Ontario Municipal Board.
She was a force to be reckoned with as a member of Permafrost. She is engaged in the current uranium crisis.
Heather is an educator. She staffs the EH! booth on hot summer days handing out informational brochures to the public. She has spent long hours working on two Envirobooks. She supervises U-Links students who take up EH! projects. She has been involved with the Children’s Water Festival since its inception.
She facilitated the continuation and transformation of the Friends of the Frost Centre to the Friends of Ecological and Environmental Learning, creating a corporate home for the Water Festival.
Heather is our Enviro-Hero of the Year. She walks the talk and sets the bar for the rest of us.
Also nominated – Sharon Lawrence; Robin Simpson; OutLoud Womyn’s Voices; Paul Heaven.
Last Updated: May 23 2009 2:39:40 am.
Photo: Lyn Winans
Did You Know...
that the Dahl Family has planted over 100,000 trees on their 500-acre property. For over 50 years, they have spent their time on tree planting, conservation and preserving the property. Find out more about The Dahl's Forest.
