For Immediate Release
February 28, 2025
UTRCA Recognizes Local Teacher, Student Group, Volunteer Educator, and Landowners with 2025 Conservation Awards
The 糖心直播 (UTRCA) presented three Conservation Awards at their Annual General Meeting on February 25, 2025.
Christine Ritsma, a teacher at Stratford District Secondary School (SDSS), and the school鈥檚 student-led Eco Club shared the Inspiration Award. Ritsma launched and continues to teach the Green Industries course where grade 10-12 students develop skills in the environmental field, such as forestry and agriculture. Putting their skills to work, these students operate a greenhouse that supplies produce for the SDSS culinary program.
Ritsma also leads the Environmental Specialist High Skills Major program and began the SDSS Eco Club. With Ritsma as their staff-advisor, the Eco Club raises awareness regarding environmental issues and advocates for positive change within their school and community. The club was instrumental in advocating for Stratford City Council to declare a climate emergency in 2020.
鈥淎s young people, we recognize that it is our responsibility to do our part for the planet,鈥� said Lucy Chung upon accepting the award on behalf of the Eco Club. The club recently broke ground at an urban farm and will soon be sharing their experience in a TEDx talk.
Left to Right: UTRCA Chair Dean Trentowsky (Deputy Mayor, Municipality of West Perth), Zach Kritzer, Ewan Mann, and Lucy Chung (Eco Club Representatives and Award Recipients), Christine Ritsma (Award Recipient), Vanni Azzano (UTRCA, Nominator)
The Board of Directors Award was presented to another champion of environmental education, Patti Donnelly, who volunteered with the UTRCA for over 20 years. Donnelly helped to design and implement environmental education programs at Wildwood and Fanshawe Conservation Areas for students from pre-school to grade 12. Donnelly has a unique approach to creating and offering engaging content that grabs their attention and influences their behaviour as environmental stewards.
Upon accepting the award, Donnelly commented, 鈥淚 get excited by how one small moment can inspire an individual to make positive changes for our natural world.鈥�
Left to Right: UTRCA Chair Dean Trentowsky (Deputy Mayor, Municipality of West Perth), Patti Donnelly (Award Recipient), Karlee Flear and Teresa Hollingsworth (UTRCA, Nominators)
The Kayla Berger Stewardship Award was accepted by Brian and Elizabeth Wheeler, who donated 34 hectares (85 acres) of woodland and valleyland along Fish Creek to the UTRCA in March 2024. The UTRCA will protect this environmentally sensitive land, which is home to several species at risk, wetland, and shoreline habitat. Over the years, the Wheelers have planted native trees, removed invasive buckthorn, and enjoyed the sights and sounds of the land they refer to as 鈥渢he farm.鈥�
鈥淭he work you鈥檝e done will not be lost, will not be forgotten,鈥� said Brandon Williamson, UTRCA Land Management Coordinator, in a video presentation. 鈥淥ur work that we continue on that property will be a legacy to the work that you鈥檝e done and the passion you鈥檝e shown.鈥�
Left to Right: UTRCA Chair Dean Trentowsky (Deputy Mayor, Municipality of West Perth), Dave and Wendy Berger (Kayla Berger鈥檚 parents), Elizabeth and Brian Wheeler (Award Recipients), Brandon Williamson (UTRCA, Nominator), Tracy Annett (UTRCA General Manager)
UTRCA staff and Board of Directors would like to thank the 2025 Conservation Award recipients for their longstanding and passionate commitment to the environment.
Contacts
Re: Inspiration Award (Christine Ritsma and the Eco Club)
Vanni Azzano
Supervisor, Community Education
[email protected]
Re: Board of Directors Award (Patti Donnelly)
Karlee Flear
Coordinator, Community Education
[email protected]
Re: Kayla Berger Stewardship Award (Brian and Elizabeth Wheeler)
Brandon Williamson
Land Management Coordinator
[email protected]
General:
Amy Bumbacco,
Communications and Marketing Specialist
[email protected]