Do you know a person, organization, school, or company that has done a lot for wildlife? For instance, somebody in your community may be working to protect wetlands. Your organization or local council could present that person with a habitat award. Knowing that others acknowledge and respect their efforts encourages people to continue conservation projects, and even start new ones.
A provincial or territorial wildlife officer may be able to suggest award candidates, but you can always identify your own habitat heroes. Consider the following:
• A landowner who is protecting valuable aquatic habitat for wildlife.
• A person or organization that has planted trees or shrubs along a watery shore.
• Someone who has built nesting boxes or platforms for wildlife.
• A landowner who is using erosion control to protect stream banks.
• Someone who helps get a law passed to protect habitat or to establish a wildlife reserve.
• A company or person who works to control pollution, or helps conservation groups.
• Someone who educates the public about aquatic habitat conservation.
Honour your habitat hero with a ceremony. Present a printed certificate or wooden plaque stating that your group recognizes that person’s achievement. A durable wooden or metal sign for a landowner to post at his or her front gate is another possibility. Don’t forget to call the local media to publicize the award ceremony.