Photo By: Richard Lamoureux
This award recognizes individuals who exemplify environmental leadership by promoting stewardship, conservation, environmental education or awareness of Muskoka’s natural heritage.
Wayland Drew (1932-1998) was a teacher, author, and a passionate advocate for the preservation of wilderness. The driving force behind Earth Day activities, environmental conferences and heritage projects, Drew earned the respect of his peers both locally and in the wider environmental community. In 1991 he received the Lieutenant Governor’s Conservation Award for his lifelong work on behalf of the environment.
Recent Recipients:
2023 Christina Hunter
2022 Jan McDonnell
2021 Bill Dickinson
2020 Jeff Miller
2019 Michael Silver
2016 Ron Tozer
2015 Ken Black
This award annually assists a student in achieving post-secondary school academic qualifications in Natural Sciences (Biology, Environmental Studies, Forestry) or related technologies (Wildlife, Environmental Engineering).
Charlie Esson (1916-2009) immigrated to Canada when he was four, and by all accounts was an extremely active and impulsive child who was difficult to keep indoors regardless of the weather. Later in life he bought 400 acres of scrub bush in the Lake of Bays area where he spent time camping and fishing. Charlie believed in building for the future, and he educated himself on good forest management practices and over 50 years transformed the bush into a prime woodlot.
The 2022 recipient is Jaylene Stewart. Jaylene is graduating from Huntsville Highschool and headed to Carleton University in Ottawa for Physical Geography. Jaylene’s educators described her as exceptional at balancing her high grades and extra-curriculars. Her passion for environmental science is clear to her educators, who have no doubt she will excel in this field as she has achieved top of the class in multiple courses. When she has free time, she continues to hike, canoe and camp and has volunteered at a Day Camp, where she led hikes, canoe trips and outdoor activities for children. Congratulations Jaylene!
This award is presented annually to the photographer whose image best represents Muskoka’s natural or built heritage in a way that demonstrates the beauty of the area.
Michael Foster (1943-2013) was a professional photographer and artist who took great pleasure in the visual arts, music and canoeing. His other great passion was nature and he was actively involved in Muskoka Conservancy in order to preserve the area’s natural beauty for future generations. He and his spouse, Lola Bratty, donated an ecologically sensitive property to the Muskoka Conservancy in 2012.
Recent recipients:
2023 Tammy Nash
2022 Kayley Amo
2021 Christine Andrews
2020 Janet Butler
2019 Janet Butler
2018 Doug Smith
This award honours individuals who demonstrate significant commitment to the cultural and historical heritage of Muskoka.
Robert J. Boyer was a newspaper publisher and politician known for his lifelong commitment to the wellbeing of Muskoka, its culture, and the preservation of its history. He represented Muskoka in the Ontario Legislature from 1955 to 1971.
Recent recipients:
2019 Andrew Wagner Chazalon
2018 Brenda Wainman Goulet
2017 Guy Gagnon
2016 Cyril and Marion Fry
2015 Roy MacGregor
Please contact us for more information on awards and bursaries.
Office 705-645-7393 ext. 200
Email: info@muskokaconservancy.org
"
Nature is painting for us, day after day, pictures of infinite beauty.
John Ruskin
"
47 Quebec Street, Box 482 Bracebridge, ON, Canada, P1L 1T8
All Rights Reserved | Muskoka Conservancy
Website Designed and Developed by Client First Web Design & Graphics