Gold Leaf Awards

CCEA’s conservation awards program, the Gold Leaf Awards, recognize noteworthy contributions and achievements, outstanding initiative and excellence in planning, protecting and managing ecological areas. The awards are designed to acknowledge the role of individuals, protected area programs, industry, academics, international agencies, and many other contributors.

Gold Leaf Awards Since 1987

2010 - Ottawa, Ontario

Terra Nostra Québec has received the 2010 Gold Leaf Award at the latest CCEA Conference, held in Ottawa on November 3-5. This year, the theme was Future Planning for Protected Areas - Responding to Climate Change. This prize was awarded in the ''individuals'' category in recognition of civic education initiative in the framework of the International Year of Biodiversity.

In January 2010, six citizens seized the moment to create the Terra Nostra initiative, a photographic project committed to showcasing Québec's biodiversity, to raising public awareness of its fragility and to promoting the importance of protected areas. This award recognizes the contribution of volunteers who set an example and show us how citizens can contribute to nature conservation and drawing daily inspiration from the natural world that surrounds us.

Mr. Rodolph Balej, Nelson Boisvert, and Eric Le Bel have accepted this award on behalf of the group of six citizens. The award was presented by Mr. David MacKinnon, Chair of the Canadian Council on Ecological Areas

The Canadian Council on Ecological Areas's Gold Leaf Awards acknowledge the contribution of individuals, industry, universities, programs or groups. These awards notably highlight those actions which focus on the establishment of a network of protected areas which is representative of ecosystems and landscapes diversity for the whole country, as well as the type of contributions which are necessary to attain, encourage and guide the establishment of a comprehensive network of protected areas for all of Canada.

2009– Ottawa, Ontario

La Direction du patrimoine écologique et des parcs du ministère du Développement durable, de l’Environnement et des Parcs du Québec, this year’s recipient of the Gold Leaf Award from the Canadian Council on Ecological Areas

La Direction du patrimoine écologique et des parcs du ministère du Développement durable, de l’Environnement et des Parcs du Québec has received the 2009 Gold Leaf Award at the latest CCEA Symposium, held in Ottawa on November 4-6. This year, the theme was Marine Protected Areas : bridging the Gap Between Terrestrial and Marine Networks. This prize was awarded in the ‘’Government’’ category for its exceptional contribution in increasing the Québec network of protected areas and for its commitment to voluntary conservation.

This award acknowledges the contribution of all employees of the ‘’Direction’’ who have, through determination and rigor, redrawn the Nature Conservation map in Quebec in the last few years, resulting in a vast protected areas network. The expertise in the Direction du patrimoine écologique et des parcs for the protection of Nature is already well recognized in the Province of Quebec. This Canadian Council on Ecological Areas’ Gold Leaf Award now establishes this recognition among the biodiversity conservation community in all of Canada.

Mr. Jacques Perron, registrar of protected areas in this organization, has accepted this award on behalf of all staff in the Direction du patrimoine écologique et des parcs.

The Canadian Council on Ecological Areas’s Gold Leaf Awards acknowledge the contribution of individuals, industry, universities, programs or groups. These awards notably highlight those actions which focus on the establishment of a network of protected areas which is representative of ecosystems and landscapes diversity for the whole country, as well as the type of contributions which are necessary to attain, encourage and guide the establishment of a comprehensive network of protected areas for all of Canada.

2008 – Quebec City, Quebec

CREE NATION OF MISTISSINI and the TALLYMEN OF MISTISSINI, in recognition of their commitment to establishing Albanel Temiscamie Otish Park on a portion of their territory.

LEOPOLD GAUDREAU, Assistant Deputy Minister of Sustainable Development, Quebec Ministry of Sustainable Development, Environment, and Parks, in recognition of his exceptional contribution and continued involvement in the protection of natural ecosystems and for the creation of a network of protected areas in Quebec.

CANADIAN PARKS AND WILDERNESS SOCIETY, QUEBEC AND OTTAWA VALLEY SECTION, for their involvement in the protection of the Dumoine River.

2007 – Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta

DR. PETER ACHUFF, Scientist Emeritus, Parks Canada

DR. GUY SWINNERTON, Retired Professor of Recreation and Leisure Studies, University of Alberta

ARCHIE LANDALS, Director, Parks Resources Management Coordination Branch, Alberta Tourism, Parks, Recreation, and Culture

2006 - Western Shore, Nova Scotia

KERRY G. MORASH
In recognition of your personal leadership, dedication, and achievement in land conservation as Nova Scotia's Minister of Environment & Labour, September 2003 to February 2006.

HENRY W. FULLER and DR. JAMES V. O'BRIEN In recognition of your personal dedication and achievement in the promotion and practice of private land conservation and environmental stewardship in Nova Scotia

DR. JAMES V. O'BRIEN and HENRY W. FULLER In recognition of your personal dedication and achievement in the promotion and practice of private land conservation and environmental stewardship in Nova Scotia

STORA ENSO PORT HAWKESBURY - Woodlands Unit In recognition of the Company's contributions and cooperation in the establishment of a comprehensive protected areas system in Nova Scotia, and for leadership and achievement in the field of sustainable forest management

FRIENDS OF McNABS ISLAND SOCIETY
In recognition of the Society's vision, dedication, and success in the protection and stewardship of McNabs and Lawlor Islands

NOVA SCOTIA NATURE TRUST
In recognition of the Nature Trust's leadership and success in the protection and stewardship of ecologically significant private lands in Nova Scotia

THE TOWN OF ANTIGONISH
In recognition of the Town's innovative dedication of its James River Watershed lands to both water supply and wilderness area protection, and its cooperation in the creation and expansion of Nova Scotia's Eigg Mountain-James River Wilderness Area

HELIOS HERNANDEZ
In recognition of your past and present leadership in protected areas and conservation efforts for the Province of Manitoba.

2003 - Yellowknife, NWT

ED WIKEN. In recognition of his outstanding leadership as Chair of the Canadian Council on Ecological Areas, and his remarkable contribution to the science and understanding of protected areas throughout Canada and internationally.

DAVID GAUTHIER. In recognition of his outstanding scientific and technical service with the Canadian Council on Ecological Areas, and his significant contribution to the science and understanding of protected areas throughout Canada and North America.

BILL CARPENTER. In recognition of his dedicated efforts to develop and to implement a Protected Areas Strategy for the Northwest Territories, and for his work with local communities to establish interim protection for the proposed Edéhzhíe National Wildlife Area.

2001 - Stanley Bridge, Prince Edward Island

DON MCCALLUM, Basin Head Lagoon Ecosystem Conservation Committee, Prince Edward Island.

ADRIAN PHILLIPS, Vice-Chair, World Heritage Theme Programme, World Commission on Protected Areas, Dumbleton, England.

HÉLÈNE CHEVRIER, President, Attention Fragîles, Îles-De-La-Madeleine, Québec.

GEORGE ARSENAULT, Assistant To The President-Director General, Société De La Faune Et Des Parcs Du Québec.

VINCE ZELAZNY, Natural Areas Program, New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources and Energy.

2000 - Ottawa, Ontario

Due to the workshop format of the AGM, awards were not presented.

1999 - Ottawa, Ontario

KEJIMKUJIK NATIONAL PARK and its ecosystem science manager. In recognition of the Park's long history of very successfully promoting cooperative ventures in fields of ecosystem science, monitoring, assessment and management.

CLIFF DRYSDALE. In recognition of his long-standing contributions and personal dedication in successfully promoting ecosystem science and management in protected areas.

DR. GEORGE FRANCIS. In recognition for his long-standing contribution and personal dedication to enhancing Canada's network of conservation areas and network of protected ecosystems.

DR. DAVID FOWLER. In recognition of his long-standing contributions and personal dedication in successfully promoting ecosystem science and management in protected areas.

NATURE CONSERVANCY OF CANADA. In recognition of the organizations sustained actions to secure and protect conservation areas and ecosystems across Canada.

DR. PAUL MAYCOCK. In recognition of his long-standing contributions and personal dedication to enhancing Ontario's network of conservation areas and protected ecosystems.

KEVIN MACNAMEE. In recognition of his long-standing contributions and personal dedication in advocating the values of nature and in promoting a Canadian network of protected areas.

DEPARTMENT OF NATIONAL DEFENSE (DND). In recognition of the organization's long-standing initiatives to contribute to Canada's network of wildlife conservation areas.

1998 - Toronto, Ontario

Due to the workshop format of the meeting, awards were not presented.

1997 - Fredericton, New Brunswick

NEW BRUNSWICK MUSEUM, NATURAL SCIENCES DIVISION. In recognition of the Museum's outstanding contribution to enhancing the foundation of science and public education about the ecology and natural history of New Brunswick.

DR. JIM GOLTZ. In recognition of extraordinary and long-term dedication to the conservation of wildlife and ecological areas of New Brunswick.

J.D. IRVING LTD. In recognition of the Company's leadership in promoting sustainable forest ecosystem management and its role in designating corporate lands and resources for conservation.

TOBEATIC WILDERNESS COMMITTEE. In recognition of commendable and long-term achievement in helping to promote the establishment of Nova Scotia's Tobeatic Wilderness Area.

GOVERNMENT OF NOVA SCOTIA, PARKS AND RECREATION BRANCH. In recognition of the Department's success in developing and implementing a comprehensive protected area plan for conserving Nova Scotia's ecosystems.

COMMISSION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL COOPERATION. In recognition of their initiatives to promote an ecological approach to the conservation and sustainable use of resources in North America.

NORTH AMERICAN WATERFOWL MANAGEMENT PLAN. In recognition of their long-standing and diverse contributions to the conservation of wildlife habitats and ecosystems in Canada and North America.

1996 - Regina, Saskatchewan (Change to the Gold Leaf Award)

PETER AND SHARON BUTALA. Honoured for their work towards the protection of grasslands (SK)

DUCKS UNLIMITED, NATURE SASKATCHEWAN, SASKATCHEWAN WILDLIFE FEDERATION. Honoured for their cooperative partnering efforts in furthering conservation in Saskatchewan.

ECOLOGICAL LAND CLASSIFICATION COMMITTEE (Saskatchewan). Honoured for their innovative work in establishing a standardized ecological classification scheme for Saskatchewan.

HAROLD HINDS (New Brunswick). Honoured for his long standing work throughout New Brunswick

MARK KOENKER (M.L.A., Saskatchewan). Honoured for his dedication to advancing conservation through the political process.

KEN LOZINSKI (government employee, Saskatchewan). Honoured for his commitment to advancing protected area conservation through the civil service in Saskatchewan.

PACIFIC ESTUARY CONSERVATION PROGRAM (B.C.). Honoured for the multi-partner commitment to conserve west coast estuaries.

WORLD CONSERVATION MONITORING CENTRE (Cambridge, England). Honoured for its work in advancing information about protected areas throughout the world.

1995 - Calgary

Academic and Science - DR. JIM BUTLER, University of Calgary.

Industrial Association - CANADIAN ASSOCIATION OF PETROLEUM PRODUCERS.

Government Agency - IAN MARSHALL, State of Environment Reporting, Environment Canada and SCOTT SMITH, Canada-Yukon Soil Survey.

Individual - Nature - VIVIAN PHARIS, Alberta Wilderness Association

Individual - Nature - LARRY SIMPSON, Nature Conservancy of Canada

Collaborative - WABAKIMI WILDERNESS AREA (Bruce Peterson, Environmental North, and Ian Mettiam, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources)

Government/Jurisdiction - GOVERNMENT OF BRITISH COLUMBIA (Premier Michael Harcourt)

1994 - Wolfville, Nova Scotia

Industrial - BOWATER MERSEY PAPER CO. LTD (donated the Panuke Lake Area).

Individual - JIM ST CLAIR (donated McFarlane Woods)

Collaborative - TUSKET ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ASSOCIATION

1993 - Windsor, Ontario

Individual - DR. BRUCE FALLS, University of Toronto.

Government/Jurisdiction - ONTARIO PROVINCIAL PARKS PROGRAM (Minister Howard Hampton)

1992 - St Johns, Newfoundland

Academic - DR. ROBERT GRAHAM, University of Waterloo, (Marine Ecological Areas)

Collaborative - NEWFOUNDLAND WILDERNESS AND ECOLOGICAL RESERVES ADVISORY COUNCIL

1991 - Campbell River, British Columbia

Individual - DR. YORKE EDWARDS

Government/Jurisdiction - BRITISH COLUMBIA ECOLOGICAL RESERVE PROGRAM

1990 - Ottawa, Ontario

Individual - DAVID MUNRO (IUCN). Honoured for his endeavours to help found the CCEA and continue outstanding conservation area work on a world wide basis.

1989 - Edmonton, Alberta

Organization - WORLD WILDLIFE FUND CANADA

1988 - Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island

Individual - Minister DON SPARROW, Alberta Department of Forestry, Lands and Wildlife

Individual - DR. V.J KRAJINA, British Columbia

Organization - PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND'S ISLAND NATURE TRUST

1987 - Winnipeg, Manitoba

Individual - DR. STEWART MACDONALD, National Museum of Natural Science (key to having Polar Bear Pass NWT named a National Wildlife Area)

Association - WAGNER NATURAL AREA SOCIETY OF EDMONTON

There were no awards given prior to 1987.