The Awards Presentation and Silent Auction on April 4th, 2002 at the Canadian Museum of Nature was a great success! Approximately 200 local politicians, individuals from wildlife and outdoor organizations and other guests enjoyed good food and the opportunity to bid on items in the silent auction. The Master of Ceremonies was John Lacharity, host of CBC's Ottawa Morning radio show. Awards for excellence in Environmental Conservation were presented at this event to individuals and groups whose long-term commitments to conservation of the environment have had significant impacts on wildlife in the Region.

	Individual Award to Michèle André-St. Cyr
	Michèle André-St. Cyr is a spirited and compassionate woman who became very perturbed about the number of turtles killed on roads around her home in Rockland, Ontario and decided to take action. Her solution was to erect Turtle Crossing signs at known turtle crossing sites along major roads. Much research and analysis went into the design of these signs. The diamond-shaped signs are yellow and show a black turtle with tire tracks on its back and black lettering in French and English indicating that turtles are most likely to be on the move in May and June. In 2000, the City of Cumberland.agreed to the erection of these signs and acquired the necessary funding to place 14 signs on local roads. As of February 2002, the new City of Ottawa seems receptive to the idea.
Michèle has been contacted by interested individuals and communities from across the country, looking for advice on how they too might follow her lead. Michele formed the group TURTLE S.H.E.L.L./TORTUE S.H.E.L.Lto educate and train "teachers, students, public officials and other members of the general public" about the life and ecology of eastern Ontario turtles and instill respect for these creatures. The group also plans to instruct interested people in turtle rescue and rehabilitation. They have produced a well-written and informative booklet called "Let's Talk Turtles!" which provides answers to questions such as: "Why should we care about turtles?", "How many eggs does a turtle lay?", "Why do turtles cross roads and highways?".

Group Award to The Greenspace Alliance of Canada's Capital (GACC)
Mike Runtz presents the group award to the chairman of the Greenspace Alliance, Erwin Dreesen.	The Greenspace Alliance was formed in October 1997 with the express purpose of preserving private and public greenspace in the National Capital area which is "essential for a community's quality of life...." GACC has become involved with almost every local conservation issue, providing input in the form of briefs, presentations, and letters, and frequently serving as an early warning system for threats to our greenspaces. Their diligence has meant that environmental issues are not ignored in city planning. Frequently linking with other groups such as the OFNC and the Sierra Club, as well as many community groups, they constantly monitor a diversity of issues, lending their voice and their credibility.
They are actively working to preserve the Sawmill Creek Woods, the Southern Corridor, the Heron/Walkley/Kitchener lands, the Orleans Quarry Forest, the Montfort Woods, the Fernbank wetlands, Moffatt Farm, and Leamy Lake ParkThey participate actively in the City of Ottawa Environmental Advisory Committee and the Ottawa Land Trust Working Group. They initiated the publicity to help create the Ottawa Riverkeeper project, now recognized internationally. They have set up a website (www.flora.org/greenspace), maintain a flourishing listserv which quickly disseminates information.

Youth Award to Students of Blossom Park Public School
	Blossom Park Public School has developed a "Hub Community Project" which focusses on environmental action. The students, staff and parents recognize that they must work together to maintain balance between economic prosperity, the environment and social justice.
Powerful connections lie between school grounds and children's views of the environment and the adults who spoil or cherish it. Their Environmental Action Team brings together students and others from the community to learn about environmental awareness. So far, they have established a school yard naturalization project, a recycling program, are working on a school energy audit, and a school web site which will be the school's Environmental Action Web Page. They have garnered a number of community partnerships and participated in conferences. Their list of future projects is extensive. http://www.ocdsb.edu.on.ca/BLOSweb

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