Dedicated conservationists recognized for their efforts

OFAH FILE: 842
March 20, 2013
For Immediate Release

Dedicated conservationists recognized for their efforts

Prestigious awards presented at 85^th annual OFAH conference

Some of the province’s most dedicated conservation leaders were honoured at the 85^th Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) Annual Fish and Wildlife Conference, held in Mississauga last week. The event ran from March 14 to 16 and attracted more than 450 outdoor enthusiasts. With such strong candidates in each conservationist category, it was no easy task for this year’s judges to choose just one deserving winner. 

The Ontario Chinese Anglers Association received the Mary Pickford Trophy, OFAH’s top club honour. The association promotes catch and release sport fishing, environmental responsibility and conservation. The club’s main commitments are to get their members to purchase conservation fishing licenses, introduce and emphasize the importance of safe boating and to understand and follow the fishing regulations set out by the Ministry of Natural Resources. The club motto says it best: “we care, we share, we conserve for tomorrow.” There was one point voting difference between the Ontario Chinese Anglers Association and the Sydenham Sportsmen’s Association, which has won the award 13 times. 

The OFAH/Rick Morgan Professional Conservation Award was awarded to Dave Roberts. An avid hunter, angler and recreational sport shooter, Dave persuaded a firm from Colorado, the largest shot recovery company in the U.S., to head north to Canada. Maat MT2 Corporation was formed with Dave acting as National Sales Manager. Because of his efforts, three million pounds of lead shot from trap and skeet fields were recycled, with the proceeds going towards conservation projects and shooting sports. 

Raymond Zee won the Gord Blake Memorial Conservation Award by a unanimous vote for his significant contributions to his community on a volunteer basis. Raymond has served as Chair of the Ontario Chinese Anglers Association since its inception nearly 15 years ago. He promotes the values of a true outdoors person with organizing Ontario Family Fishing Week events, to introducing the great outdoors to new Chinese-speaking immigrants. Raymond was also instrumental in bringing an open season for panfish and pike during the winter months. 

Kevin Hudson and Robin Bennett took home the Larry Wallace Memorial Volunteer Award. These men selflessly offer their time and abilities to guide and teach novice fly fishers. They help out at various fly-fishing initiatives held throughout the Hamilton area. This year they volunteered their time on behalf of the Hamilton Area Fly Fishers and Tyers to OFAH’s own Get Outdoors Youth program. 

Robert (Bob) Clarence was awarded with the Ontario Hunting Heritage Award. Bob has provided students with his firearms and bow hunting expertise and hunter education knowledge for 43 years. He is a member and public relations chair of the Dufferin Northern Peel Anglers and Hunters. An impressed judge stated: “his contributions span more than four decades and he is still making a difference.”

This year’s conference not only awarded worthy conservationists, but also included an array of engaging presentations and guest speakers including keynote speaker Minister of the Environment, the Honourable Peter Kent, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources David O’Toole, PC Leader Tim Hudak, NDP Leader Andrea Horwath and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Natural Resources Joe Dickson. Attendees gained insight on the Algonquin Land Claim, commercial fisheries, the Williams Treaty, as well as workshops on falconry, coyote hunting and tactics and trapping.

The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters is Ontario’s largest, nonprofit, fish and wildlife conservation-based organization, representing 100,000 members, subscribers and supporters, and 710 member clubs. To learn more, visit www.ofah.org. Like the OFAH on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.