Conservation awards handed out

The 14th annual A. D. Latornell Conservation honored five recipients this year for their outstanding commitments to Ontario's environment. Among them was Lake Simcoe Conservation Foundation president Debby Beatty. The ceremony took place on Thursday November 15 at the Nottawasaga Inn near Alliston.

The other award recipients included Bruce Duncan (Hamilton), Lou Wise (Don Mills), Michael Hough (Etobicoke), Ted Mosquin (Lanark). Duncan's award was presented posthumously and was accepted by his family.

The Conservation Ontario Pioneer award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated life-long, outstanding contributions to the field of conservation. They are being celebrated for their innovation, leadership and dedication to the conservation field. Either through their personal activities and/or leadership, they have gone beyond the call of duty or responsibility to an employer, client or their community. Nominations are reviewed and evaluated by a special sub-committee of the Latornell Steering Committee.

'We are very proud of president Beatty. Her unfailing commitment to environmental philanthropy and her leadership, not only in the Lake Simcoe watershed but province wide sets a high example for us all to follow." said Kimberley MacKenzie, Executive Director, Lake Simcoe Conservation Foundation.

Debby Beatty has been a committed environmentalist for most of her life, working with nature or working to save nature, and now devotes her full working life to this issue. Debby brings an enormous passion and conviction to her role as President of the Lake Simcoe Conservation Foundation and she evangelizes these beliefs to those who know her personally.

"This prestigious award recognizes Beatty's commitment and passion to protecting our natural environment for our children and grandchildren and is well deserved," said Virginia Hackson, chair of the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority.

Send your congratulations or donations to: The Lake Simcoe Conservation Foundation, 120 Bayview Drive, Box 282, Newmarket, Ontario, L3Y 4X1 or phone 905-895- 1281 ext. 310.