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OLTA AWARDS
2012 OLTA AWARDS
This year, in recognition of OLTA's 10th anniversary or incorporation and the 2012 Gathering theme of Looking Back - Moving Forward, OLTA honoured long-standing land trust leaders.
From left to right: Thea Silver, OLTA Executive Director; Frank Shaw, Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust; Susan Walmer, Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust; Patricia Short-Gallé, Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust; Ron Reid, Couchiching Conservancy; Judy and Lou Probst; Tanna Elliot, Chair, OLTA Governors.
OLTA PIONEERING LEADERS
Individuals Category - Lou and Judy Probst
Lou and Judy Probst have been active volunteers for the Couchiching Conservancy and the Nature Conservancy of Canada for over 20 years. They are instrumental in the conservation of significant natural lands on the Carden Plain. Through their careful planning and generosity, they have ensured that future generations of nature lovers will be able to enjoy the natural wonders of the area.
As part of their living legacies they have participated in the ongoing conservation in Carden Township with the following:
- Donation of Conservation easement, 100 acres
- Donation of McGee Creek and Cranberry Wetland to Nature Conservancy of Canada, 489 acres
- Donation of Prospect Marsh to Couchiching Conservancy (in process), 200 acres
- Donation of Carden Conservation Fund
Photo Credit: David Hawke
Individual Category - Ron Reid
 Ron Reid has made outstanding contributions to biodiversity protection, community engagement, and innovative approaches to advancing the land trust movement in Ontario. Not only has Ron been instrumental in developing creative fundraising projects for the Couchiching Conservancy, Ron has been a guiding mentor and leader in helping new land trusts in Ontario. Ron co-authored "Creative Conservation", a handbook of key ideas and building blocks for land trusts in Ontario. Ron also has a natural ability to collaborate with a number of organizations outside of the land trust community to strengthen and build the conservation movement.
Organization Category - Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust
 The Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust (ORMLT) has an outstanding protected land portfolio of 37 properties, totaling 3,317 acres. In 2010, the ORMLT set a land trust record with 26 conservation easements.The ORMLT has pioneered the highly effective use of conservation easements on private land, a model which motivates and mentors other land trusts to pursue their land protection goals with proven tools. To learn more about the ORMLT, visit http://www.oakridgesmoraine.org/
2011 OLTA AWARDS
From left to right: Chris Baines, Chair of OLTA Awards Committee; Sarah Hodgkiss accepting on behalf of Don Gordon;
Anne Robertson; Tanna Elliot, Chair, OLTA Board of Governors; Bob Barnett, Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy;
Bruce Mackenzie, Ontario Farmland Trust; Thea Silver, OLTA Executive Director. Photo Credit: Simon Lunn
OLTA LAND TRUST ACHIEVEMENT AWARD 2011
Community Achievement Category- Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy (EBC)
The EBC has made enormous contributions to the land trust movement in size and scope of properties protected along the Niagara Escarpment. In thirteen years since their inception, EBC has protected a total of 8,151 acres through the creation of 102 nature reserves.
Provincial Achievement Category- Ontario Farmland Trust (OFT)
The Ontario Farmland Trust has made a substantial contribution to the broader land trust movement. The OFT has created a unique approach in the protection of farmland that extends beyond traditional conservation approaches. The OFT's programs and conservation work is exemplary in bringing food and farming issues to the forefront.
OLTA VISION AWARD 2011
Professional Category- Don Gordon
Don Gordon's leadership and unique skills in conservation led to the development of the Thames Talbot Land Trust (TTLT). As TTLT's first Executive Director, Mr. Gordon displayed exceptional qualities both as a leader and a visionary within the land trust movement.
Volunteer Category- Anne Robertson
Anne Robertson redefines what it means to be a volunteer. Anne played a vital role in the founding of the Land Conservancy of Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington (LCKFLA). Her inspirational leadership and dedication helped spearhead countless achievements in land protection and nature education.
OLTA LAND TRUST ACHIEVEMENT AWARD 2010
 Georgian Bay Land Trust (GBLT)
GBLT is an exemplary land trust demonstrating the power of partnerships in their community. They steward more than 2,000 acres of land trust properties, partner properties and other areas along the eastern shore of Georgian Bay and the North Channel.
Pictured (L to R): Ron Reid, Chair OLTA Awards committee; Wendy Cooper, GBLT Executive Director: Brooks Greer, GBLT Land Protection Program Manager; Peter Cooper, GBLT Fundraising Chair
OLTA VISION AWARD - VOLUNTEER
 Marnie and Don Ross
Don and Marnie Ross have both demonstrated outstanding contributions to conservation and land protection in southeastern Ontario.
Pictured (L to R): Ron Reid, Marnie Ross, Don Ross
OLTA VISION AWARD - SUPPORTING ORGANIZATION
 Queen's University Biological Station
Raleigh Robertson, Frank Phelan and Bruce Tufts have demonstrated outstanding contributions in influencing the evolution of the land trust movement in eastern Ontario, and in protecting the landscape of the Rideau Lakes and the Frontenac Arch.
Pictured (L to R): Ron Reid, Frank Phelan, Raleigh Robertson
OLTA's COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AWARD 2008
In recognition of the enormous passion and dedication of the land trust movement, OLTA ‘s COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT Award recognized the extraordinary achievements of Couchiching Conservancy. Highlights include:
- a series of community workshops involving quarry owners and ranchers.
- a partnership with the Orillia Packet and Times who print Couchiching’s full newsletter four times a year.
- a corporate membership program involving 80 local businesses
Couchiching has taken a challenge – being in a smaller community with more finite resources and fewer larger funders, and turned it into an opportunity in connecting so broadly and at such an intimate level.
Pictured L to R – April Weppler, OLTA Board Chair (Toronto), Ron Reid, Executive Director, Gayle Carlyle, Chair Kyra Howes, Isabelle Thiess, Jane Ball, all Couchiching Conservancy of Orillia.
OLTA's VISION AWARD 2008
OLTA’S Vision award is given to an individual or organization who has displayed extraordinary vision and exemplary leadership. The first award recipient is ahead of the curve in identifying challenges and opportunities, and works hard to develop solutions. Our first OLTA Vision Award recipient Stew Hilts was also the first Chair of the Ontario Land Trust Alliance and "wrote the book" on land trusts, Creative Conservation. Stew is a Professor at the University of Guelph, where he is also the Director of the Centre for Land and Water Stewardship. Most recently, Stew has been working to save Ontario's best places to grow food as Chair of Ontario Farmland Trust.
Pictured L to R – Melissa Watkins, Executive Director, Ontario Farmland Trust, April Weppler, Chair, OLTA, Stew Hilts (Guelph)
OLTA's VISION AWARD 2009
OLTA’s Vision Award is given to an individual or organization who has displayed extraordinary vision and exemplary leadership. This year there were two winners of the OLTA Vision Award – Tom Atkins and Ric Symmes.
Pictured L to R: Christopher Baines, OLTA Gathering Committee and Tom Atkins
Tom has guided the Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust since its inception in 2000. Using Stew Hilt's "Creative Conservation" Tom guided a group of volunteers to become an organization with staff, volunteers and conservation partners throughout the GTA.
Pictured L to R: Christopher Baines, OLTA Gathering Committee and Ric Symmes
Since joining the conservation field in the mid 1990's, Ric's commitment to fostering lasting partnerships, working for policy change and applying a strategic approach to conservation have resulted in great successes for conservation organizations and landowners alike in Ontario.
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