Conservation Award Winners Recognized

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Digital photo attached: from left: Gino Piccioni, Kris Ives, Don Bissonnette, Jesse Costa Gardner, President-Essex County Field Natualists’ Club, Gertrude Paré, Tracy Sansom, TD Bank Manager (LaSalle), Kelly Laforest and Kelly Gregoire, Caesars Windsor, Nicole Palazzi, Lakeshore Mayor Tom Bain and Councillor Dave Monk

The Essex Region Conservation Authority recently recognized organizations and individuals that have made significant contributions to the region’s sustainability.

Charles Desmarais of Stoney Point received the Conservation Farm Award for his ongoing stewardship of the land. Gertrude Paré was the recipient of the John R. Park Homestead Award for her preservation of traditional arts and Franco-Ontarien culture. Don Bissonnette, a leader in the protection of the Eastern Bluebird for over 25 years, was recognized for his volunteer efforts and the Essex County Field Naturalists’ Club was honoured for three decades of commitment to volunteerism and environmental sustainability.

Nicole Palazzi, a teacher at WD Davis Public School, received an award for leadership in conservation education, and Caesars Windsor CodeGreen was lauded for their many environmental outreach and education initiatives that include their employees, guests and the broader community.

Mr. Gino Piccioni of Timberland Homes and TD Friends of the Environment Foundation were recognized with awards for Environmental Achievement. Mr. Piccioni has demonstrated his commitment to the environment and community through the preservation and enhancement of the Turkey Creek wetlands. He was also the developer of the first Energy Star community in the region. Over the past five years alone, the TD FEF has contributed $400,000 to more than 100 environmental projects in the Windsor-Essex region, many which would not otherwise have been able to take place

The Town of Lakeshore was awarded the Robert Pulleyblank Award for Municipal Environmental Achievement. The Town has significantly invested in environmental improvements over the past few years, including upgrades to its drinking water and wastewater treatment plants, waterfront improvement and rehabilitation, and re-greeing efforts. Kris Ives, ERCA’s Curator/Education Coordinator, was honoured with the Dennis Chase Staff Award for joy, optimism and love of local conservation.