Conservation leaders recognized at provincial conference

Conservation leaders recognized at provincial conference
O.F.A.H. celebrates outstanding effort of professionals and volunteers

Leaders in fish and wildlife conservation were honored by their peers recently at the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters’ (O.F.A.H.) 82nd Annual General Meeting and Fish and Wildlife Conference. Individuals, clubs, professionals and volunteers were nominated by their peers in a variety of categories, and the winners were selected through a blind process by a panel of judges from the outdoors industry.

“The O.F.A.H. was built on the dedication and commitment of people to the conservation of our natural resources, and it is a privilege to partner with thousands of volunteers and professionals from across this province, on countless initiatives,” said Mike Reader, O.F.A.H. Executive Director. “The individuals and clubs we are recognizing today are the leaders that, through their efforts, change the course of resource management for the better, and we are proud to recognize them during our annual conference.”

Dr. Chris Goddard, Executive Secretary of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission was awarded the Rick Morgan Professional Conservation Award, as the individual who, in a professional capacity, made the most significant contribution to conservation during 2009. Dr. Goddard demonstrated tireless leadership on a wide range of issues and initiatives, including securing government commitments for large-scale conservation programs, Asian carp prevention, support for the recovery of Atlantic salmon in Lake Ontario (an O.F.A.H. and Ministry of Natural Resources-led partnership) and sea lamprey control.

Len Dickinson of Lanark was the recipient of the 2009 Ontario Hunting Heritage Award, for his leadership and dedication to the Ontario Hunter Education Program. For the past twenty years, Len has devoted countless hours as an ambassador of hunter education and our hunting heritage. He is an expert in the field, and has led the movement to bring the International Bowhunting Education Program to Ontario. He also raises funds for the Youth Hunter Education Scholarship (YHES) program that helps ensure cost is a not a barrier to young people wanting to take the hunter education course.

The Manitoulin Streams Improvement Association was voted the 2009 winner of the Mary Pickford trophy, given to the O.F.A.H. member club judged to have achieved the most for conservation. Though a relatively small group, the club rehabilitated 23 major sites on Manitoulin Island, released 5,000 eyed brook trout in local waters, planted 16,000 trees, and conducted invertebrate sampling surveys at several sites. Also nominated in this category, were the Atikokan Sportsmen’s Conservation Club, the Sydenham Sportsmen’s Association and the Grenville Fish and Game Club.

The three-day event drew nearly 450 attendees from across Ontario. Speakers presented a broad range of topics of interest to anglers and hunters, including species at risk, the Algonquin land claim, firearms safety and range guidelines, elk management, and fish culture. The Honourable Linda Jeffrey, Minister of Natural Resources, Tim Hudak, MPP and Leader of the Official Opposition, and Dr. Randall Eaton, behavioral scientist, were special guests, and Candice Hoeppner, MP Portage-Lisgar, Manitoba, and sponsor of Bill C-391, the bill that would repeal the long gun registry, was keynote speaker.

With over 100,000 members, subscribers and supporters, and 660 member clubs, the O.F.A.H. is the largest nonprofit, charitable, fishing, hunting and conservation-based organization in Ontario, and the voice of anglers and hunters. For more information, visit www.ofah.org.

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