Hometown Heroes: Recognizing Environmental Achievement
2005 Finalist
Natalie Helferty: Richmond Hill, Ontario
Past Hometown Heroes
2010  |  2009  |  2008
2007  |  2006  |  2005
2004                           
 
Finalist Natalie Helferty
It's a Fact

Natalie envisioned the concept of NOAH (Niagara Escarpment-Oak Ridges Moraine-Algonquin to Adirondack Heritage System) - a foundation devoted to maintaining the connectivity of these ecosystems.

Natalie Helferty's environmental efforts are as numerous as they are beneficial. Starting in 1994 with her volunteering as a monitor of local frog populations on the Oak Ridges Moraine, Natalie has expanded her knowledge and love for this sensitive ecosystem north of Toronto. In the process, she has greatly increased the understanding and appreciation of the moraine for others living and working in the region.

Through her studies, Natalie discovered the Jefferson Salamander, in Jefferson forest, and ensured that it be filed as a threatened species by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resource's Natural Heritage Information Centre. She volunteered with the Toronto Region Conservation Authority, setting up its Frogwatch program, and this led to her involvement with the Richmond Hill Naturalists, initially as a board member, and as President for the last two years. She is also the President of Public Spaces Appreciation Association of Ontario.

Natalie envisioned the concept of NOAH (Niagara Escarpment-Oak Ridges Moraine-Algonquin to Adirondack Heritage System) - a foundation devoted to maintaining the connectivity of these ecosystems. Based on this, Natalie coordinated the Linking Landscapes Conference between Public Spaces, and many other interested environmental organizations.

If that was not enough, Natalie was a founding member of the Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust, as well as the Ontario Puma Foundation (which tracks and researches sightings of the Eastern Cougar in Ontario) and as a member of the Greenbelt Taskforce. Her accomplishments are as diverse as they are focused, and they have had a very positive influence on her community.

Winner
Dr. Donald Steele
St. John's, Newfoundland
Finalists
Dan Earle
Yarmouth, Nova Scotia
Natalie Helferty
Richmond Hill, Ontario
Peter Jansen
St. Albert, Alberta
Ann Jarnet
Riviere-au-Tonnerre, Québec
Ingmar Lee
Salt Spring Island, British Columbia
Benoit Lefebvre
Cold Lake, Alberta
Wayne Scott
Toronto, Ontario
Judy Winter
Caroline, Alberta
Presented By
Alternatives Cascades RBC Foundation Earth Day Canada

 
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