Conservation Authority names this year's Environmental Heroes

North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority
News Release

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The North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority (NBMCA) announced today the recipients of its 2013 Environmental Awards. The Dorothy Walford Memorial Environmental Award will be presented to Hal Falk and Bill Hagborg (pictured), while Evergreen Heights Education Centre Grade 3 students were selected as the recipient of the Ward Smith Environmental Youth Award.


Hal has volunteered during many activities that involve greening North Bay. Partnering with Greater Nipissing Stewardship Council, Heritage Gardeners, Community Waterfront Friends and many other groups Hal has been a key player in tree plants all across the city for over 10 years. He has not only donated his time, but his expertise, equipment and supplies.


Bill has been involved with many environmental groups over the years, such as North Bay Police Services Environment Committee, the Rotary Club Environment Committee, Greater Nipissing Stewardship Council, Friends of Laurier Woods and has worked collaboratively with other groups. He has volunteered his time and knowledge during many community clean-ups, beautification projects and tree plants since his retirement.


This Grade 3 Class participated in the “Farmers in the Playground” program. The students learnt about soils, growing vegetables, bees, indoor planting and transplanting of seeds. They helped plant and take care of the gardens and harvested the vegetables to make soup. They taught their peers about the importance of eating locally and reducing their global footprint. This program was designed so that other schools can use the model for their playgrounds.


“NBMCA has partnered with several groups that both Hal and Bill on several projects throughout the year” says Brian Tayler, CAO North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority. “Their dedication to environmental issues in the watershed is commendable ”.


The Dorothy Walford Memorial Environmental Award is presented to an individual or group in recognition of their significant and valuable contribution through word, thought, effort or deed to the conservation, preservation or enhancement of the natural environment at the local level. The award was created by Pollution Probe of North Bay in 1971. It was named in memory of Dorothy Walford, a local conservationist dedicated to increasing environmental consciousness.


The Ward Smith Environmental Youth Award is presented to an individual or group as a token of appreciation for youth interest and involvement in the protection, improvement and/or conservation of the natural environment at the local level. The Youth Award was established by the North Bay - Mattawa Conservation Authority in 1993 as a companion award to the Dorothy Walford Memorial Environmental Award. It has been named to pay tribute to Ward Smith, Chairman of the NBMCA Board of Directors from 1978 through 1991.


All nominees in both categories receive letters of appreciation and a certificate from the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority. The award winners and nominees will be honoured at a formal award presentation and celebration on Thursday, November 7, 2013 in North Bay.


The North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority (NBMCA) was founded in 1972 by the Province of Ontario and the NBMCA’s 10 member municipalities. A non-profit organisation, the NBMCA works closely with the public to balance human needs with the environmental needs of the region's watershed. The NBMCA is one of 36 Conservation Authorities who are members of Conservation Ontario.

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