February 26, 2007

Moraine for Life Award Presentation

In 2007, the Town of Richmond Hill has become the first municipality ever to be awarded with the Oak Ridges Moraine Foundation’s Moraine for Life Award in the Municipal Leadership category. The award was presented to the Town through the Commissioner of Parks, Recreation & Culture at a ceremony following the Oak Ridges Moraine Symposium at the Radisson Hotel in Markham and was officially presented to Richmond Hill Council on February 26.

The Moraine for Life awards are given to recognize an individual, organization or agency that has made a significant contribution to improving the ecology and hydrology of the Moraine and the social well-being of those who live and work on or downstream of the Moraine. The Town was selected based on the leadership demonstrated by the Parks, Recreation & Culture Department in providing stewardship, educational initiatives and community involvement specifically geared toward the Moraine and its surrounding area. The Town was nominated by Evergreen, an innovative charity whose mission is to bring communities and nature together for the benefit of both.

A number of projects, partnerships and community initiatives including the restoration of Briar Nine Park and Reserve, the Lake Wilcox Aquatic Habitat Enhancement Project, initiatives at the Humber Flats Eco-Park, the Healthy Yards Program, the Pesticide Reduction Strategy and the Town’s participation in the purchase of lands on the Moraine were cited by Evergreen as projects worthy of note.