William Dunlop is Conservationist of the Year
William Dunlop, of Thedford area, wins Conservationist of the Year Award
Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority honours Thedford’s William Dunlop for years of preservation, enhancement of natural areas including planting of trees and shrubs and restoration of wetlands
Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) honoured William Dunlop as 2026 Conservationist of the Year.
ABCA Chair Ray Chartrand presented the award, to the Thedford-area landowner, at the Partner Appreciation Evening at Ironwood Golf Club on Thursday, March 26, 2026. The award recognized his work, spanning more than a decade, enhancing natural areas, wetlands and forests. The winner received a locally-handcrafted award made from reclaimed wood from several species of trees. ABCA also donated to a tree and plaque at a Commemorative Woods site maintained by Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation.
The award winner also received congratulatory scrolls of recognition on behalf of Marilyn Gladu, MP, Sarnia-Lambton-Bkejwanong; Ben Lobb, MP, Huron-Bruce; Steve Pinsonneault, MPP, Lambton-Kent-Middlesex; and Lisa Thompson, MPP, Huron-Bruce.
Angela Van Niekerk, ABCA Wetlands Specialist, spoke about William Dunlop’s years of restoration. “Thank you, Bill, for all your hard work, and all your conservation actions,” she said. “It is an honour to know you and work with you.”
Over 12 years, the award winner retired 27 acres. He created six wetlands, planted more than 2,000 trees and almost 6,000 other plants and shrubs around the wetlands and a Tallgrass Prairie.
“Bill has also hosted volunteers and students to plant some of these plants,” Angela said. She said these stewardship actions help to improve water quality in creeks and rivers by providing water storage during heavy rain events and reducing downstream flooding, erosion, and loss of sediment and nutrients.
The work also helps to create habitat for wildlife including species at risk that rely on that habitat. Since doing the restoration work, there have been appearances of nesting Dickcissel birds, Tufted Ducks, a Sandhill Crane, Painted Turtles, and a Red Eft (Eastern Newt). The landowner’s work has created a natural corridor between 27 restored acres and the Ravenswood Wetland Complex that buffers Jericho Creek and an environmentally significant area.
On receiving the award, the winner thanked his family for their support as he embarked on these projects. He also thanked ABCA staff for their help in making the projects happen.
“I have nothing but great things to say about everyone there,” he said. “This has been a wonderful experience.”
He said the projects have deepened connections with neighbours who have shown a great interest in the wetland enhancement work. Whether someone’s property is residential or rural, he encouraged people to consider their own restoration projects.
MPs AND MPPs RECOGNIZE CONSERVATIONIST OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNER – William Dunlop, of Thedford, is the 2026 Conservationist of the Year. The award winner also received congratulatory scrolls of recognition on behalf of Marilyn Gladu, MP, Sarnia-Lambton-Bkejwanong; Ben Lobb, MP, Huron-Bruce; Steve Pinsonneault, MPP, Lambton-Kent-Middlesex; and Lisa Thompson, MPP, Huron-Bruce. In photo, from left to right, are: Angela Van Niekerk, Wetlands Specialist; Ray Chartrand, Chair of the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) Board of Directors, and William Dunlop, award winner.