Watershed Excellence Award
This week is the last of our Conservation Matters: Award-Winning Work in the Credit River Watershed series, we’re highlighting our Watershed Excellence award winners. This award is issued to those with a sustained record of achievement and commitment. Their ongoing leadership and dedication will leave a legacy of inspiration. This is the most prestigious Conservation Award we issue, and it’s only given in extraordinary circumstances. In 2024, we had two worthy recipients.
If you know someone doing amazing things for the environment, be sure to nominate them for this year’s Conservation Awards program. Nominations are now open until February 22, 2025.
Congratulations to Dr. Pat Kelly
Dr. Pat Kelly received his award for decades of volunteer service. Pat’s volunteer work spans many environmental organizations, including Trout Unlimited, the Izaak Walton Fly-fishing Club, Halton-Peel Woodlands and Wildlife Stewardship and CVC. Pat has contributed to environmental protection by planting thousands of trees, removing invasive species, taking part in litter cleanups, fish surveys and monitoring trout spawning. He has also helped the local community by planting pollinator gardens, building and installing garbage kiosks and installing educational signage.
Congratulations to Dr. William McIlveen
Dr. William McIlveen received his award for 37 years of dedicated environmental work through data collection and leadership. William has shared his passion for learning and the environment through knowledge transfer on a variety of subjects, including clams, microbes, climate change and energy cycling in vernal pools. He has also organized projects and surveys in Georgetown and Halton Hills that have continued since 2001. In 2015, he submitted over 111,900 observation records to CVC of species in the Credit River Watershed. He is also the author of The Natural History of Rattray Marsh, a compendium of flora, fauna and physical characteristics of Rattray Marsh.
Both recipients are extremely passionate about the local environment and supporting healthy communities in the watershed. Their decades of work and their tireless commitment are making a difference for a thriving environment that protects, connects and sustains us.
To learn more about our Conservation Awards program or to nominate someone for this year’s awards, visit cvc.ca/ConservationAwards.