Kawartha Lakes recognizes 2025 Bee a Hero and Environmental Hero Award winners

Kawartha Lakes – Congratulations to Kawartha Lakes residents, community groups, businesses and students who are making a positive difference for the local environment.

The City of Kawartha Lakes 2025 Bee a Hero and Environmental Hero Award winners were recognized and celebrated at the August 25, 2026 Regular Council Meeting.

“These award winners remind us that meaningful environmental action happens in many different ways," said Mayor Doug Elmslie. "Whether they are caring for gardens and natural areas, planting trees, creating habitat, educating others or giving their time to community projects, their commitment is making a lasting difference across Kawartha Lakes.”

The awards celebrate people and organizations that help protect natural spaces, support pollinators and wildlife, improve biodiversity, promote active transportation, and inspire environmental action across Kawartha Lakes.

Rosemary Deitch has planted gardens for different growing conditions using native perennials, shrubs and trees. Her gardens provide food and habitat for insect and bird pollinators while also ‘feeding the soul.’

Catherine Widjedal has spent many years planting and transplanting perennial and native flowers, shrubs and trees. Her passion for gardening and protecting the environment help support biodiversity while beautifying her property.

Bill Steffler is a longtime supporter of trails and active transportation. He cycles and walks whenever possible, is a member of the Active Transportation Committee, and has served as Chair of the City’s Active Transportation Master Plan Task Force. Bill is also a key contributor to the Green Trails Association and the Kawartha Trans Canada Trail Association, and a founding member and leader of Active Transportation Advocates for Kawartha Lakes.

Fenelon Falls Horticultural Society Volunteers plan, plant and maintain 21 public gardens and four stone planters. Their work includes the rain garden on Oak Street near Maryboro Lodge Museum, which helps filter and absorb stormwater before it reaches Cameron Lake. Their gardens also contain many native and pollinator-friendly plants.

Kawartha Land Trust (KLT) is a land conservation charity that protects and cares for thousands of acres of natural and working lands in the Kawarthas. The land they protect includes ecologically diverse lands, and public access nature reserves that welcome thousands of visitors annually. KLT’s work also includes conservation partnerships and collaboration within Michi Saagii Nishnaabeg territory.

Marilas McInnis and Kathleen Pearce-Holbrook of Entente Education Canada District 18 Haliburton Kawartha Lakes helped secure funding for several environmental projects. These included five backyard birding kits (including binoculars) for Kawartha Lakes Public Library and promotion and delivery of five workshops hosted by Kawartha Conservation, the library, and Bird Friendly Kawartha Lakes.

Plant Kawartha has been planting trees for seven years to help offset personal carbon footprints. They have planted more than 6,000 shade trees, fruit trees and pollinator-friendly species. Plant Kawartha has done plantings at local schools, the Lindsay fairgrounds, and is a member of local climate boards.

Maicey Benjamin formed the Sustainable Ecological Alternatives for Living group, which has met monthly for at least 15 years. He also helped start the Bobcaygeon Farmers Market and has served on the Board of Environmental Action Bobcaygeon since its inception.

Grow Wild! Native Plant Nursery grows native plants for ecological restoration projects and public and private native plant gardens. The business also provides ecological restoration services, species at risk research, and educational presentations. Grow Wild! supported Kawartha Lakes’ Bee City designation by providing native plants and supporting the Pollinator Action Team.

Century Cinemas 3, owned by Steve Podolsky, provides important habitat for Chimney Swifts, a species at risk. More than 70 swifts roost in the building’s chimney at one time. The business is taking steps to keep the chimney suitable for the birds and has been recognized by Birds Canada for their work. Their efforts also contributed to Kawartha Lake’s inclusion in Nature Canada’s Bird Friendly City program.

Markus Legzdins and Liam Hood-Hanlon of Fleming College hosted an American Woodcock Workshop at Ken Reid Conservation Area. They researched the not-widely-known species, completed field observations, developed a presentation and led the workshop and site visits for 25 participants. Both are continuing their studies in Conservation Biology at Trent University.

Foundations for Independence – Langton Public School created the Langton Community Garden. Students planted and cared for vegetables, herbs, a Three Sisters Garden and pollinator gardens. Food grown in the garden will be donated to the food bank in Fenelon Falls. The project also helps students learn about where their food comes from, volunteerism, community involvement, responsibility, and First Nations teachings.

Mackenzie Dunne, Kristen Groves and Alexandra Di Natale of the Frost Living Laboratory at Fleming College worked on a Pollinator and Bird Friendly Garden Rejuvenation project. The garden was established in 2004 and has grown to more than 1,200 square feet of native plant habitat with accessible paths. A living laboratory, it is used to teach about native plant identification, pollinator diversity, and seed saving. The garden includes culturally significant and sensory plants, interpretive signage, and habitat and food for pollinators and birds. It is recognized by Pollinator Partnership Canada and certified as Bird Friendly.

“Each of this year’s award recipients shows what environmental leadership can look like in our community," said Jenna Stephens, Planning Officer - Environmental Policy. "From planting native species and protecting wildlife habitat to supporting active transportation and environmental education, their efforts are helping make Kawartha Lakes a healthier and more resilient place.”

Kawartha Lakes congratulates all of this year’s award recipients and thanks them for the time, care and leadership they bring to protect and enhance the environment in Kawartha Lakes.

Learn more about the awards on the Environment webpage.