The Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) has handed out its final of nine Decade Awards to mark its 80th anniversary year.
This latest award was handed out at a tree planting ceremony at the Arkona Lions Museum and Information Centre, located in the Rock Glen Conservation Area in Arkona on Thursday, October 29.
The award for the 2020s was given to "recognize participating landowners and stewardship champions using best management practices and completing beneficial projects on their properties. It also recognized the organizations that help to make these projects possible with funding support," the ABCA shared in a statement.
Between March and October, the conservation authority has recognized a deserving award recipient for each decade of ABCA’s history, spanning 1946-2026.
"The ninth of nine Decade Awards recognizes very deserving honorees indeed," said Ray Chartrand, Chair of the ABCA Board of Directors. “We are pleased today to recognize local landowners and stewardship champions and the organizations that support their work as funding partners. Enhancements benefitting soil, water and habitat are possible thanks to the participating landowners who implement positive projects and best practices on their private lands in our watershed area. Local land stewardship is also made possible thanks to the funding partners who provide financial incentives to support the work of our local landowners."
ABCA has honoured, with Decades Awards, the following recipients:
1940s – Member municipalities, for vision in forming Ontario’s first conservation authority and for continued partnership.
1950s – Ontario Parks – For establishing and stewarding Pinery Provincial Park.
1960s – Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (formerly Department of Lands and Forests) for a lasting local legacy of reforestation.
1970s – Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation – For work in the community since ABCF was formed in 1974.
1980s – Local community service groups, recognizing decades of strong partnerships in our watershed communities.
1990s – Soil Health Innovators – Recognizing agricultural stewards and innovators in soil health and conservation tillage.
2000s – Local Trail Groups – Recognizing their dedicated efforts to provide opportunities to experience the great outdoors.
2010s – Local Land Trusts – Recognizing their work in stewardship the gifts of generous and visionary donors leaving a lasting local land legacy.
2020s – Private Landowners and Funders – For supporting the implementation of stewardship practices, by participating landowners, on private lands.
