The Muskoka Watershed Council (MWC) has honoured 14 stewards through its Doug Cross Stewardship Recognition Program.
The program, which was established in 2022, is to help community and lake organizations across Muskoka recognize the “dedication, effort, and good stewardship activities of their member,” according to officials with MWC.
This year’s honourees include:
- Thomas and Anne Knight from the Bracebridge Horticultural Society
- Paul Hutchinson from the Bruce Lake Family Association
- A soon-to-be-chosen nominee from the Fairy Lake Association
- David White from the Fox Lake Association
- Laurie Thomson from the Friends of Muskoka
- Diane Crocker from the Lake of Bays Association
- Betty Isbister from the Leonard Lake Stakeholders Association
- Jimmy and Brenda Burke from the Loon & Turtle Lakes Cottage Association
- Chris and Louse Cragg from the Muskoka Lakes Association
- Patricia Arney from the Muskoka Ratepayers’ Association
- Caroline Konarzewski from the Muskoka Watershed Council
- George Bryant from the Pine Lake Ratepayers’ Association
- Chris Corczynski from the Ril Lake Association
- Paul Wiancko from the Six Mile Cottagers’ Association
“MWC would like to thank all organizations for their participation in the inaugural year and making the program a success,” say the officials. “More importantly, MWC would like to thank all of the recipients for their outstanding efforts to protect our watersheds and leading by example.”
The program was named in honour of Doug Cross who sat on the council from 2004 to 2008 representing Bracebridge. Even after stepping down, officials say Cross frequently supported the events hosted by MWC. He passed away in Jan. 2020 at the age of 76. Officials say he left behind “a legacy of volunteerism for various community and environmental initiatives.”