Six 2008 Watershed awards were presented to people who have undertaken projects to enhance the natural environment in the Grand River watershed.
Two of the recipients are from Wellington County. Three community groups and five schools were given community conservation grants for projects they plan to undertake in the coming year.
The Watershed awards included:
– Phil and Katie Wilman, of River’s Edge Goat Dairy, Arthur. While their successful farm business has grown, the Wilmans have protected and enhanced the natural features and brought nature back to their farm east of Arthur which has the Conestogo River running through it.
– Doug Ratz, of Alma. He is a founder of the Elora Centre for Environmental Excellence, Ontario Streams, and Friends of the Grand River. He has been active in many environmental organizations over many years.
– Richard Cook, Wellesley.. For more than 20 years, Richard Cook has been the GRCA’s only volunteer dam operator.
– Port Maitland “on the Grand” Historical Association. In recent years the group led by Bill Warnick has been working hard to clean up the Port Maitland Lock and turn it into a tourist attraction.
– Woolwich Clean Waterways Group. The group works with farmers and many partners to plant trees and undertake restoration projects in Woolwich Township.
Each year, the GRCA and the Grand River Conservation Foundation present community conservation grants to help finance future projects by organizations to protect and improve natural areas or other works.
The money comes from two foundation endowment funds: The Thiess Riverprize Fund and the Grand Champions Fund. The Thiess fund was established with the GRCA’s monetary award when it was named the world’s top watershed management agency in 2000. The Grand Champions Fund holds the foundation’s endowment donations.
Each of the groups is receiving $1,000.
– The Parks Foundation in Paris – for an erosion project.
– Port Maitland “On the Grand” Historical Association, for work to restore the historic Port Maitland lock on the Feeder Canal.
– Ruthven National Historic Site and Habitat Haldimand, for habitat restoration work.
Each of the schools is receiving $500 for school yard naturalization projects.
– St. Augustine Elementary School, Cambridge;
– St. Leo Elementary School, Brantford;
– St. Nicholas Elementary School, Waterloo;
– St. Teresa Elementary School, Kitchener; and
– Ryerson Heights Public School, Brantford..
