The Awards were presented by John Lacharity during the Opening Ceremonies and Award Presentations at the Canadian Museum of Nature.

Individual Award to Al Tweddle Al and his wife Helen were instrumental in the planning and development of all the recreational facilities in Queenswood Heights. He established volunteer work parties for the installation of most playground equipment and park facilities. A toboggan hill he built in Centennial Park is affectionately known as "Tweddle Hill". Al Tweddle formed the Cumberland Nature Trail Committee in the 1970's, and saw it become a municipal committee expanding into nearby communities. Al has served on numerous committees, including the Cumberland Recreation Master Plan Committee, the Cumberland Nature Trail Committee, initiated Old Timers Hockey, acted as a Scoutmaster and assisted in forming a Venturer Company. Al Tweddle single-handedly organized the Friends of Petrie Island when he realized that municipal planners were thinking of developing a marina and a bridge on the island. He has been president of this organization since its inception. He has worked with municipal staff, elected officials, volunteers from the Ottawa Field Naturalists Club and others to develop plans for permitting public access to Petrie island while protecting its delicate natural balance. He and a group of retirees meets every Wednesday to do work on the Islands, such as clearing trails, removing litter, setting up a picnic area, writing brochures, and monitoring wildlife. Al can be found most summer weekends at the Islands, answering questions or leading tours. Link to Friends of Petrie Island

Group Award to The Ottawa Duck Club

The Ottawa Duck Club has been involved in conservation of wildlife at the Shirley' s Bay Crown Game Preserve since 1966. The Club manages an area of approximately 4000 acres between Connaught Rifle Range and Shirley's Bay. With the amount of urban sprawl in the Ottawa area, the Shirley's Bay Crown Game Preserve has now become an oasis for wildlife, with good numbers of white-tailed deer, beavers, raccoons, porcupines, muskrats, snapping turtles and various predators on site, as well as high diversity of nesting birds. Through thoughtful management of water control structures and terrestrial habitat, the Club maintains water levels that attract water­ dependent wildlife from spring through fall migration. In the winter, a variety of raptors use the site as a feeding area. Link to Ottawa Duck Club

Youth Award to Macoun Field Club The Macoun Field Club has deep roots. It was conceived and has been maintained by sponsorship between the Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club and the Canadian Museum of Nature. The club represents fifty-two years of training youth in natural history and conservation values; in making and reporting observations and conducting projects under guidance of participating local scientists and naturalists. Contact the Macoun Club of Ottawa

Back to the top of the Page | Home