Amherstburg well represented at ERCA's Conservation Awards
- Ron Giofu
- 4 hours ago
- 5 min read
The Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA) presented its annual Conservation Awards last week with some solid Amherstburg representation among the recipients.
Three of the six award winners at the Jan. 22 ceremony in Essex were from Amherstburg, including students, residents and the town itself.
Madison Kemp, a student at North Star High School, captured the Youth Award. She was credited for her involvement in the school’s eco-team, where she engaged and educated students and staff about conservation issues and initiatives. She was one of the students involved with the team at previous Pumpkinfest and Springfest events and is also the school’s deputy prime minister.
“It’s definitely an honour,” said Kemp.
Kemp added she is proud of her accomplishments and promoted being eco-friendly. She added being eco-friendly isn’t “cringe,” but it’s “something to be proud of.”
Now in Grade 12, Kemp said she has been involved with eco-initiatives in all four years of high school. She said the school has no eco-team this year but she is still trying to promote environmental ideas through not just North Star, but other schools a well through her role in the student senate with the Greater Essex County District School Board (GECDSB).
Kemp is heading to the University of Ottawa next year and hopes to continue with such work. She said she was nominated by teacher Stef Heber and was thrilled when Heber told her that she had won.
“I’m so excited,” said Kemp. “When (Heber) told me, I was through the roof.”
Brad and Sherri Nelson won the Volunteer Award. The Amherstburg residents were recognized for their service at the John R. Park Homestead, with ERCA fundraising events including the Super Santa Run in Amherstburg, in planting thousands of trees and wildflower plants across the region and helping to ensure quality control for other volunteer planters as How-To Crew members, and for raising awareness about sustainable living.
The Nelsons also founded “Just a Small Change,” a business promoting eco-friendly shopping and reusable products.
Brad thanked ERCA for the recognition, stating it was their pleasure to accept the award at last Thursday night’s meeting.
“It is truly my pleasure to volunteer,” he said. “I only wish I had started sooner in my life.”
Sherri added they believe in ERCA’s mission and also expressed their gratitude in accepting the award.
The Town of Amherstburg received the Robert Pulleyblank Municipal Environmental Achievement Award. ERCA’s director of communications and outreach services Danielle Stuebing read the items from Amherstburg’s nomination that led to the award, some dating back to 2014. Items ERCA listed as part of the award presentation included the upgrade of the Amherstburg wastewater treatment plant, creating a sanitary master plan to guide infrastructure projects and support sustainable development, its 26 “high quality parks” and recreation, the Map and Grow project in partnership with the University of Windsor, partnering with the Windsor-Essex Bike Community (WEBC), its tree canopy and natural vegetation and protection enhancement policy, the transformation of a former sewage lagoon in the Golfview subdivision into a vibrant naturalized area, annual Earth Day tree plantings, phragmites management and establishing Environmental Awards and more.
Mayor Michael Prue accepted the award on the town’s behalf, noting it hasn’t always been easy to proceed with environmental measures. He recalled hearing from people who didn’t want to spend the money, but said he believes most are now proud of what has been accomplished.
“Those days when people thought the environment was a secondary issue are gone,” said Prue.
Prue said Canadians are proud of their environment and noted the town’s environmental advisory committee comes up with “wonderful ideas” for the town.
“We are proud of our community,” the mayor said. “We are proud of our residents.”
Julius Langpeter captured John R. Park Homestead Award for more than 25 years of volunteer service to the Homestead, including serving as the site’s lead blacksmith, providing mechanical care and repair of artifacts, and reproducing wooden elements of the historic barns with great skill and care.
Langpeter noted he is a German immigrant who enjoys being in Canada, and thanked ERCA for presenting him with the award.
Allison Kozolanka was a winner of an Environmental Achievement Award. Kozolanka was credited for her leadership with the Unifor 444 Environment Committee in engaging members and the community in environmental issues and initiatives, raising awareness about the proposed Ojibway National Urban Park and coordinating adoption of the Chrysler Canada Greenway for litter cleanups.
Kozolanka thanked Local 444 for going along with her ideas, the union’s environmental committee for their contributions and her family for their support.
Reid Funeral Homes also received an Environmental Achievement for 30 years of planting trees in honour of the families they have served, and creating the Fred Cada Memorial Forest, a six-acre restored forest with thousands of native Carolinian trees as a living memorial to those who have passed on.
Representatives from Reid Funeral Homes were unable to attend the meeting.
“It’s very inspiring to have the opportunity to celebrate so many organizations and individuals who have made an incredible impact in conservation,” said ERCA chair Molly Allaire, also an Amherstburg town councillor. “We thank them for all of their contributions.”
Four special milestone awards were also handed out to ERCA staff, with ERCA CAO Tim Byrne recognized for his 40 years of service to the conservation authority.
Byrne touched on Bill 68, which would include reducing the amount of conservation areas in Ontario from 36 to seven. While change can be good, Byrne said this particular issue needs to see a lot more consultation with stakeholders, which includes residents and municipalities.
“Change needs to be initiated in full consultation with all of you,” Byrne told the large audience assembled.
Voice and advocacy is important, Byrne added, and he said he was proud ERCA has the support of all local municipalities on the issue.
“Keep it up,” he urged. “Your voice counts. I’m just the dude that works for you.”
Byrne was honoured for his passion and commitment to ERCA and the environment as a whole. Over 30 people made videos that were given to him, with those that played at the meeting being from his family, local politicians, ERCA staff and committee members, and leaders of area organizations. Essex MP Chris Lewis presented Byrne a certificate in-person, with Lewis noting Byrne’s vision is “second to none.”
Byrne said his first 40 years went by quickly and joked “my next 40 is going to last a lot longer.” He added that he does plan to stay on for the foreseeable future.
“I ain’t going anywhere for the next little while,” he said.
Kris Ives, the curator at John R. Park Homestead, was honoured for her 25 years of service. Ives said it has been a pleasure to work there, referring to it as “the joy of my life to work here.” She thanked her colleagues and their commitment to local conservation.
“It’s been literally half of my life,” said Ives.
Ashley Gyori and Bevin Martin were unable to attend, but they were recognized for their ten years of service.
Amherstburg well represented at ERCA's Conservation Awards
By Ron Giofu
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