Enviro-Heroes celebrated at Wild About Nature Gala Dinner

What would be a good bid? Who’d bid what? How late could you leave it to ensure a winning bid? The sense of anticipation pervading the room was almost palpable as the great and good of Haliburton County’s environmental elite jostled politely to get a look at the lots on offer at the silent auction. And this was merely the preamble to a gala night of winners, and not losers but runners up, at the Haliburton Highlands Land Trust (HHLT) Enviro-Heroes Awards and fundraising dinner. Held on the sultry evening of Friday May 28 at Minden Community Centre, the gala event attracted a crowd of over 150. Awards were presented to individuals and organisations who strive to put the environment first in everything they do. The winners were: in the Business category, Haliburton Highlands Water Trails; for Education, Haliburton Muskoka Children’s Water festival and Friends of Ecological and Environmental Learning; wetlands campaigner Jerry Walker won the Stewardship Award; Sue Shikaze took the plaudits in Health, for her work promoting cycling; and, Mary Anne Barkhouse and Michael Belmore won the Arts Award. But the evening was about much more than awards. With the lilting melodies of Bethany Houghton on cello and violin as accompaniment, it was a chance for the environmentally minded to get together and remind each other that there are many more folks out there ‘doing their bit’. As such, HHLT chair Sheila Ziman started the evening by outlining the work of the organisation and announcing that the Dahl family has donated 500 acres of land to the Trust, in order that it can be preserved in its wild state for future generations of people of Haliburton County and the province to enjoy. Sheila went on to reveal that Norris Island, the Trust’s first property, now has an endowment fund of $53,000 in place, which ensures its maintenance into the future. And, that the Trust has taken on its first employees. This last announcement may sound unremarkable but when the fact that only eight land trusts out of a total 35 across the province have employees is taken into account, it illustrates the dedication and success of the HHLT to date. “We are doing well but will continue to need to raise more funds to keep maintaining the lands under our stewardship,” said Sheila. Ian McNabb, executive director of the Ontario Land Trust Alliance, applauded Sheila and the HHLT’s work in the County. “The dedication, commitment and tireless efforts of you people will see the land trust keep conservation high on the agenda in Haliburton County for years to come,” he said. While smartest dressed man at the event, the pinstripe suited Barry Devolin MP reiterated the point, stating: “We need the help of the HHLT to keep our environment in the fine health that it is now, so support the organisation as much as you can.” The fun really started when the MP left the stage, only kidding Mr Devolin, and MCs for the night Jack Brezina and Jerelyn Craden took over: Jack, boisterous as always, and Jerelyn, dropping into crotchety voiced character Maybelle from her popular Fireside Stories from Lake WhaddyathinkImean radio show, ‘don’tcha know’! The duo shared the pleasure of handing out awards, as the appreciative crowd gave great support. While the winners gain the plaudits, there were in all 21 nominees, all of whom have made outstanding environmental contributions to the County. A list of them can be found below. Accepting the Business Award, on behalf of Haliburton Highlands Water Trails (HHWT) and manager Mark Coleman was councillor Carol Moffat. Starting with minimal funding in 2002, the HHWT has developed a set of far-reaching education, outreach and stewardship initiatives. A backcountry region that includes 70,000 acres, 70 lakes, 185 campsites and 40km of hiking trails is now protected and managed by the organisation. Councillor Moffat said: “Great credit is due to those who work tirelessly to make the HHWT the success it is. With their dedication they have made a success of a sustainable business right here in Haliburton County.” Winner of the Stewardship award, Jerry Walker, was not able to attend either and so Ducks Unlimited member Brian Hamilton accepted it in his place. Jerry has been the driving force behind the wetlands mapping of the County. He started Haliburton’s Ducks Unlimited chapter, and, while water-fowling may have attracted him to Ducks Unlimited, it is instrumental in protecting wetland habitat. Each year, Jerry now sponsors the Adopt-A-Class program that teaches Grade Four students about the fragile nature of the wetlands and their wildlife. The successful combination of a great event and a forward thinking organisation took the plaudits in the education category. The Haliburton Muskoka Children’s Water festival (HMCWF) and Friends of Ecological and Environmental Learning (FEEL) were chosen as winner for their unstinting work towards making the HMCWF a hit with over 500 kids each year since its beginnings in 2005. Accepting the award were Rick Whitteker and Irene Heaven of HMCWF and FEEL board member Heather Ross. Heather took the chance of an audience with so many like-minded souls to call for everyone “not to forget the Frost Centre.” Mary Anne Barkhouse and Michael Belmore were winners of the Arts Award. Each highly successful artists in their own right, the duo often collaborate on works such as Lichen (at the Toronto Sculpture Garden) and Colony (at the MacDonald Stewart Centre), which challenge our ideas about the environment and our interaction with it. Their works are held in museums across North America and most recently the National Gallery of Canada has acquired two of Mary Anne’s bronzes, while Michael has an upcoming solo exhibition at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian in New York. Finally, Sue Shikaze was rewarded for her work in getting the community healthy and active, with the Health Award. She has partnered with the County on the ‘Share the Road’ project and supported the Commuter Challenge, which saw people swap cars for bikes in 2009. Sue is also chair of the Communities in Action committee and an active member of the Haliburton Highlands Cycling Coalition. Colleague Sean Pennylegion collected the award on Sue’s behalf. The silent and Loonie auctions held on the night, featuring a wide selection of beautiful art and craftworks - from paintings to paddling holidays, coat hooks to aroma therapy massages, not forgetting a giant jar of honey and a badger hat, which ended up being sported by one of the award winners – all donated by local artisans, raised a whopping $4200. The event raised approximately $9000 in total. And, the generosity of the County was at its best, too. Corey Pietryszyn donated his services, taking photographs of the night; table pieces were by Minden District Horticultural Society; the event program was printed by Patient News; and, use of the hall itself was donated by Minden Community Centre. The night ended with Sheila Ziman giving grateful thanks to all those involved in the HHLT and in staging the gala fundraising dinner. Now the hard work of preserving the natural beauty of Haliburton County begins once again. Award Nominees (winner marked *) Business: Haliburton Highlands Water Trails*, Winterdance, Know Your Home Inspections, Inc. Education: Haliburton Muskoka Children’s Water festival and Friends of Ecological and Environmental Learning*, Rick Whitteker, Sharon Lawrence, Fleming College Haliburton Campus, Eric Lilius. Stewardship: Jerry Walker*, Robin Simpson and Christine Atrill, Brian Nash, The Dahl Family. Arts: Mary Anne Barkhouse and Michael Belmore*, Wendy Wood, Neil Campbell. Health: Sue Shikaze*, Haliburton Highlands Health Services, Jane and Bob Hayes, Haliburton Highlands Cycling Coalition.