Two Newmarket residents named environmental champions

Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority hands out annual awards to those improving the environment

Yorkregion.com
Dec. 14, 2021
Lisa Queen

Two Newmarket residents have been named environmental champions this year by the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority.

The authority’s annual awards pay tribute to “incredible” people, businesses and groups credited with working to improve the environment.

“This is our favourite event of the year,” chief administrative officer Rob Baldwin said.

“It’s a time when we get to hear success stories about people across the watershed who are helping to improve its health.”

The authority’s chair, York Region chair Wayne Emmerson, agreed.

“We like to think of them as environmental heroes,” he said.

“Their selfless actions deserve recognition and serve as a reminder about the positive impact our activities can have.”

Newmarket residents Aileen Barclay and Tom Lewis won awards in the healthy community category.

These awards celebrate individuals or groups in the Lake Simcoe watershed who have completed a project that increases community connections and engagement through events, fairs and festivals; tree plantings; cleanups and community programs.

They also acknowledge significant traditional media or social media coverage; delivering innovative environmental programs or services and sharing knowledge and information through campaigns.

Barclay oversees an active Facebook group called “York Region Nature” which has more than 2,200 members.

Through this group, she promotes respectful appreciation and knowledge of ways to honour and protect nature, which is key to helping restore the watershed and our planet, the authority said.

“Social media can be a breeding ground for misinformation, and Aileen not only uses this outlet to provide evidence-based facts, but also to support accurate information that protects nature,” it said in a statement.

“Aileen is passionate, knowledgeable and dedicated to promoting the importance of our natural world and our place within it.”