Credit Valley Conservation Marks 40 Years of Celebrating Environmental Excellence at Annual Friends of the Credit Event
Mike and I were surprised and delighted to be given a Landowner Stewardship award from Credit Valley Conservation (CVC) on June 18. We received it for busting our butts and spending significant money hiring people, all to try to eliminate Buckthorn and other invasive species: Honeysuckle, Multi-Flora roses, Wild Chervil, Garlic Mustard, to name a few!
The wording on our award reads “In recognition of significant contributions through stewardship actions on their 14-hectare property [although it’s only 14 ACRES], including extensive invasive species management and habitat restoration, and securing a permanent conservation easement in the Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy, ensuring lasting protection for future generations.”
Here’s information sent out by CVC a few days ago:
CVC hosted a special Friends of the Credit event, marking its 40th anniversary of their conservation awards program. The event took place at Cambium Farms in Caledon and was an opportunity to celebrate and connect with more than 80 like-minded environmental champions who care deeply for the environment. Highlights of the evening included the presentation of CVC’s conservation awards, acknowledging the winners’ vital support for conservation work taking place in the Credit River Watershed.
“For 40 years, the Friends of the Credit Conservation Awards have recognized the outstanding leadership and commitment of individuals and organizations working to protect the Credit River Watershed,” said Michael Palleschi, CVC chair and regional councillor Wards 2 and 6, City of Brampton. “This year’s recipients exemplify the collaboration, innovation and stewardship needed to ensure a healthy, resilient environment for generations to come.”
CVC recognized conservation efforts with 21 award recipients in seven categories: Youth Achievement; Outstanding Volunteer; Environmental Awareness; Landowner Stewardship; Green Cities; Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Leadership; and Watershed Excellence.
These are some of the winners: Gloria Hildebrandt and Mike Davis received the Landowner Stewardship Award for their stewardship actions on their 14-acre property in Georgetown. The work included extensive invasive species management and habitat. They also secured a permanent conservation easement with the Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy to protect Hildebrandt + Davis Nature Park for future generations.
Centennial Public School received the Green Cities Award for installing green infrastructure. The school engaged 120 students and volunteers to create a rain garden and plant 900 native species. The project will help manage stormwater, improved water quality and enhanced biodiversity. The rain garden made the school grounds more climate resilient in the Hungry Hollow SNAP neighbourhood and created a living classroom for outdoor education. Canon Canada also supported this project through funding and staff volunteers.
The Town of Halton Hills Environment and Climate Team received the Green Cities Award for their municipal environmental leadership. Through a comprehensive biodiversity study and forward-thinking Green Infrastructure Asset Management Plan, the Town of Halton Hills has embedded science-based conservation, restoration and natural asset management into their land-use planning. This is advancing tree planting, naturalization and pollinator habitat expansion.
Bird Friendly Halton Hills received the Environmental Awareness Award for advancing bird protection. Their efforts helped the Town of Halton Hills reach Bird Friendly City certification status in 2022 and they engaged over 4,000 residents in the 2025 Town Bird Vote.
The Town of Halton Hills Community Services Team received the Green Cities Award for leadership in advancing neighbourhood-scale climate change action through Hungry Hollow SNAP. The initiative has delivered measurable nature-based benefits while strengthening resiliency in the community.
Centennial Public School received the Green Cities Award for installing green infrastructure. The school engaged 120 students and volunteers to create a rain garden and plant 900 native species. The project will help manage stormwater, improved water quality and enhanced biodiversity. The rain garden made the school grounds more climate resilient in the Hungry Hollow SNAP neighbourhood and created a living classroom for outdoor education. Canon Canada also supported this project through funding and staff volunteers.
The Town of Halton Hills Environment and Climate Team received the Green Cities Award for their municipal environmental leadership. Through a comprehensive biodiversity study and forward-thinking Green Infrastructure Asset Management Plan, the Town of Halton Hills has embedded science-based conservation, restoration and natural asset management into their land-use planning. This is advancing tree planting, naturalization and pollinator habitat expansion.
Bird Friendly Halton Hills received the Environmental Awareness Award for advancing bird protection. Their efforts helped the Town of Halton Hills reach Bird Friendly City certification status in 2022 and they engaged over 4,000 residents in the 2025 Town Bird Vote.
The Town of Halton Hills Community Services Team received the Green Cities Award for leadership in advancing neighbourhood-scale climate change action through Hungry Hollow SNAP. The initiative has delivered measurable nature-based benefits while strengthening resiliency in the community.
40 Years: Celebrating Environmental Work in the Credit River Watershed
The Friends of the Credit Conservation Awards were established in 1986 by CVC’s Board of Directors to honour those in the community who exemplify the organization’s core values of leadership, collaboration, innovation and integrity through environmental practices. Awards are issued for work that protects and enhances the local environment, educates and connects the community to nature and fulfills CVC’s mission to protect and restore the Credit River Watershed through on-the-ground action. Since the program began, CVC has recognized hundreds of community leaders.
Here are all of this year’s Friends of the Credit Conservation Award winners:
Youth Award
Santhosh Durga Thyagarajan
Outstanding Volunteer Award
Sustainable Shores Program – ThriveAbility
Amanda Stuartbrink
Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur Canada
Barbara Angus
Heart Comonos
Environmental Awareness Award
Julie Ritchie
Erin Common Ground
Bird Friendly Halton Hills
Dr. Helene Wagner
Landowner Stewardship Award
Donald and Tabitha MacDow
Chris and Diane Staples
Adrian and Suanne Miedema
Mark and Elizabeth Krapez
Gloria Hildebrandt and Mike Davis
St. Elias the Prophet Church
Green Cities
Centennial Public School
Town of Halton Hills – Climate Team
Town of Halton Hills – Community Services
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Leadership Award
Hart House Farm
Watershed Excellence Award
Dave Dyce
