Oxford County Warden Marcus Ryan will present a local landowner with the 14th annual Oxford Stewardship Award at the February 14 meeting of County Council. The award recognizes County landowners who have made exemplary contributions to preserve and enhance the natural features and areas on their properties, such as woodlands, wetlands, streams and meadows.

Background

The Oxford Stewardship Award recipient is chosen by Stewardship Oxford and the Oxford Soil & Crop Improvement Association from the pool of projects that received financial and/or technical assistance through the County-supported Clean Water Program the previous year. The Clean Water Program, administered by the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority and the Grand River Conservation Authority, with direct funding contributions from the County, helps to fund and support the conservation and enhancement of natural heritage resources in Oxford County. In 2023, a total of 28 Clean Water Program projects were funded in Oxford County. This reflected over $306,000 in total project value and $135,000 in grants. Oxford County committed $70,000 to the program. Technical guidance for most of these projects was provided by the Long Point Region, Grand River and Upper Thames River Conservation Authority. In keeping with the theme of celebrating and supporting local achievement, Oxford County is honouring this year’s Oxford Stewardship Award recipient with a $500 gift certificate to purchase original artwork commissioned from an Oxford County artist of their choice.