UTRCA Recognizes Three Local Residents at Annual Meeting

The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) recognized three local residents for their outstanding contributions to improving the environment, at the UTRCA Annual General Meeting on February 28.

Frank McKay, of Frank McKay Excavating, and Ken McCutcheon, of McCutcheon Farm Drainage, both received the UTRCA’s Conservation Award for Outstanding Residents. This award recognizes community members who embody the spirit of conservation and, through their actions and accomplishments, create a more livable and resilient watershed.

Frank and Ken have both worked with UTRCA staff for more than 40 years on a wide range of innovative projects designed to control erosion and improve water quality in the watershed.

In accepting his award, Frank commented that, “It’s been a great experience, over the years, working with the Authority and learning that there is a better way to look after the land, because I believe that we have to leave the land and the water in better condition than what we found it in.”

Ken agreed, stating, “Your achievements by yourself are never anywhere as close to what they are if you can do them as a team. I’ve been fortunate to be able to team up with people to deal with some issues that have bothered me a lot in my career. I’ve developed quite a concern for being able to leave something in a better condition than what we’ve accepted it to be. I get extremely upset when I drive by our streams during heavy runoff and see them change from clear water to brown — because we all know it doesn’t have to be that way. We have the ability to do it right.”

The third award to be presented was the UTRCA’s Board of Directors Award, which is presented under exceptional circumstances to an individual or group that has made a significant contribution to the protection or improvement of the natural environment in the Upper Thames River watershed.

City of Woodstock Councillor and UTRCA Board member Mark Schadenberg presented the award to Phil Holst, from Ducks Unlimited, on behalf of the Board of Directors. Phil has worked with UTRCA staff on a variety of projects focused on wetland creation and naturalization.

“During the past 20 years of volunteering, I’ve appreciated the expertise of UTRCA staff, working together on really large, multi-phase projects,” said Phil. “Like Ken said, I really look forward to the day when, if you have flooding, that the streams are at least running somewhat clear, not brown. And it’s truly very possible.”

See videos highlighting the recipients’ work with the UTRCA:

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