Watershed Guardian Awards
About the Awards
The OHI launched the Watershed Guardian Awards in 2025 to acknowledge and celebrate people and organizations making extraordinary efforts to protect watershed security in Ontario.
The Watershed Guardian Award consists of a 4 kg, 25 cm glass award and can be awarded as the Guardian of the Year or for Lifetime Achievement, while the Community Advocate Award is a 2 kg, 15 cm “watershed droplet”. Each is hand-blown by Ontario artist Tara Marsh and comes with a framed certificate.
The nomination process begins with an email to andrew at ontarioheadwaters dot ca. Nominations are vetted through the Ontario Coalition for Watershed Security and the OHI Watershed Advisory Council, with final decisions made by our Board.
| The Watershed Guardian Award: Guardian of the Year or Lifetime Achievement | The Community Advocate Watershed Droplet |
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Recent Recipients
February 2026
Lifetime Achievement
Ian Sinclair – For extensive contributions as an elected councilor, appointee to government bodies, and director of numerous community organizations. See the certificate: WG Ian Sinclair Feb 2026
Community Advocate Awards
Democracy Caledon – For insight and leadership regarding on the erosion of environmental protections in the official plan and numerous proposed bylaws. See the certificate: WG Democracy Caledon Feb 2026
Forks of the Credit Preservation Group – For research and informed positions on a local mega quarry and the need for revised environmental safeguards. See the certificate: WG Forks of the Credit Preservation Group Feb 2026
Paul Newall – For leadership on watershed planning, permitting, and the protection of surface, ground-water, and drinking water. See the certificate: WG Paul Newall Feb 2026
Tony Sevelka – For research and publications on the negative impacts on blasting quarries, including on damage to groundwater, fly rock, and air quality & public health. See the certificate: WG Tony Sevelka Feb 2026
2025
July 18, 2025
Jack Imhof, Freshwater Conservation Canada: Lifetime Achievement Award
Jacks’ blend of science-based policy and program delivery, and the hundreds of educational and naturalization projects he has delivered across Ontario while mentoring both people and organizations, have made him the un-official Dean of Watershed Management in Ontario. See Jack’s certificate here.
July 18, 2025
Kevin Eby, Retired Professional Planner: Watershed Guardian of the Year
Following 25 years with the Waterloo Regional Municipality, during which he led the integration of land use and watershed planning in the visionary 2009 Official Plan, Kevin has remained a clear and strong advocate on the need for ecosystem planning. See Kevin’s certificate here.
July 18, 2025
Ann Seymour, Belfountain, Ontario: Community Advocate Award
Faced with extensive local development and its projected increases in both storm-water and effluent from a new sewage treatment facility, at a temperature that might endanger local aquatic species, Ann led a petition that gained more than 23,00 supporters; met repeatedly with elected officials, agency staff, and consultants; and was a steady current creating public events and local coalitions. See Ann’s certificate here.
April 11, 2025
Five students who performed way above the norm in a University of Guelph capstone project on the Impact of Ontario’s Housing Action Plan on the Grand River Watershed were each awarded watershed droplets and certificates of appreciation. See their names and their certificate here.