Nominations accepted for conservation award
You are invited to nominate a person, farm, business, or group for conservation award
Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) has presented Conservationist of the Year Award each year since 1984; This year’s award will be presented in ABCA’s 80th anniversary year
Each year, Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) recognizes outstanding achievements in conservation and stewardship with a conservation award. This year, in 2026, the award will be presented in the ABCA’s 80th anniversary year.
The local conservation authority has presented the Conservationist of the Year Award for more than four decades. Award winners have included rural landowners and residents, agricultural producers and farms, service clubs, community organizations, companies, nature groups, and municipalities.
Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) invites the public to nominate a person, business, farm, community group, or organization in 2026 for the conservation award. You may submit a nomination form until February 15, 2026.
To submit a nomination, download the nomination form at the Conservation Award web page link.
Ray Chartrand, Chair of the ABCA Board of Directors, said the Conservationist of the Year Award is one of the ways the conservation authority can thank local stewards for protecting and enhancing local watershed resources.
“We are thankful for the land and water stewardship by watershed landowners, residents and community groups,” he said. “Our conservation authority began in 1946 and, in our 80th anniversary year, we are pleased to present this award of recognition once again. We encourage the public to nominate worthy nominees for this award.”
Individuals, organizations or companies who either reside in or have completed conservation work in the ABCA area are eligible to win the Conservationist of the Year award. Current ABCA staff members and directors are excluded. The Conservation Award acknowledges one individual or group per year who demonstrates positive, sustainable conservation principles.
The nominee must have undertaken conservation efforts over a number of years showing long-term benefits for nature and society.
Examples of conservation work include: improving local water quality; conservation farming; reforestation; conservation education; providing wildlife and fish habitat; and promoting awareness and action for soil, water, and habitat for all living things.
Ausable Bayfield Conservation presents the winner with a hand-crafted gift and makes a donation towards a tree and plaque at a Commemorative Woods site maintained by Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation.