Youth conservationists take provincial awards

Youth conservationists take provincial awards
Teens recognized for efforts to benefit local fish and wildlife

The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (O.F.A.H.) and the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) each recognized the exceptional efforts of youth conservationists for their outstanding efforts in 2009. The teens were presented with their tributes during the 82nd O.F.A.H. Annual General Meeting and Fish & Wildlife Conference held recently in Mississauga.

Nominations for the two youth conservation awards were sent in from around the province, and a panel of judges had the difficult task of choosing the winners, given the exceptional dedication and contributions of all the candidates, over the course of the year.

Students from the Northern Outdoor Studies class at North Hastings High School in Bancroft were chosen to receive the Ministry of Natural Resources Junior Conservation Award, while Tori Edwards of Victoria Harbour took home the O.F.A.H. Heritage Junior Award.

The Honourable Linda Jeffrey, Minister of Natural Resources, presented the North Hastings students with the award Friday morning, while she was on hand to speak to the more than 400 conference attendees. The outdoor studies class, led by Glen Pomeroy & Barb Gillis, prepares students for entry into the workforce with employers in sectors such as resource and wildlife management, and has received the award in previous years.

“Young people, like the Northern Outdoor Studies students from North Hastings High School, and Tori Edwards, of the Georgian Bay Get Outdoors Club, are making an important contribution to our environment,” said Mike Reader, O.F.A.H. Executive Director. “They are showing the kind of conservation leadership that will help ensure a healthy future for our fish and wildlife.”

Tori was presented with the O.F.A.H. Heritage Junior Award at the conference banquet on Friday evening. During 2009, Tori participated in several conservation initiatives, including “Pitch in” clean up projects, eradicating invasive species, tree planting and wood duck nesting box construction. Through her membership in the Georgian Bay Get Outdoors Club, Tori was also introduced to hunting and fishing and got to experience archery, firearms instruction, canoeing, moose and wild turkey calls and ice fishing. With her mentor, she took part in her first controlled deer hunt.

The O.F.A.H. seeks to engage young people in outdoor activities and conservation projects, in support of the important role they will play as tomorrow’s stewards of our natural resources. 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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