Conservation Foundation Honours Award Recipients, Celebrates Conservation Successes

Mike and Debbie McMahon of Lakeland Homes are joined by Essex Region Conservation Foundation Chair, and Tim Byrne, ERCA CAO and Foundation Executive Director to receive the Clifford Hatch Conservation Foundation Award

Essex Region – The Essex Region Conservation Foundation has recognized local organizations and individuals for their philanthropy at its Donor Appreciation and Awards, held on May 27.

“Conservation Foundation Awards have been presented since 2012, honouring those who have generously supported the conservation projects and programs that make the Windsor and Essex region healthy and sustainable,” said Foundation Executive Director Tim Byrne.

The Clifford Hatch Conservation Foundation Award was presented to Mike & Debbie McMahon and Lakeland Homes, who have been generous supporters of the John R. Park Homestead for many years.

They have made significant contributions to creating the new Conservation Centre to create an important space for teaching, gathering, and exhibitions. Then, in 2022, when critical structural repairs were needed to help safeguard the long-term future of the historic home of John and Amelia Park, Mike and Debbie and Lakeland Homes once again answered the Foundation’s call for assistance. For the past two years, the McMahons and Lakeland Homes have generously served as matching-gift partners for the Foundation’s Giving Tuesday campaigns, raising funds to support the restoration of the historic Horse Barn and four additional barns on the site, ensuring an enduring legacy of preserving our heritage at the site.

“I first fell in love with the John R. Park Homestead at the age of nine years old during a school field trip,” said Mike McMahon, President, Lakeland Homes. “That experience left a lifelong impression, and it’s truly an honour to have the opportunity to now support the important conservation and restoration work taking place there.”

The Essex Region Conservation Foundation Award for Outstanding Corporate Contribution recognizes a business entity that has made significant contributions to the Foundation’s conservation efforts. ENWIN Utilities was presented with this award.

The Essex Region Conservation Foundation Award for Outstanding Corporate Contribution was presented to Garry Rossi, CEO of ENWIN.

In 2018, ENWIN became the presenting sponsor of the ENWIN Powers Earth Day Travelling Road Show, an engaging educational program that visited local elementary schools across Windsor-Essex to teach thousands of students about water and electricity conservation. In 2020, ENWIN became a significant supporter of the annual Earth Day Tree Planting celebrations in the City of Windsor, helping to add more than 2,000 trees to the Little River watershed along the Ganatchio Trail each year for five years. This year, ENWIN deepened that commitment further by making a three-year commitment as the presenting sponsor of the ENWIN Earth Day Tree Planting.

“ENWIN is honoured to receive the Outstanding Corporate Contribution Award. We are proud to support the Foundation’s important work in advancing conservation initiatives that help keep our region healthy and sustainable for future generations,” said Garry Rossi, ENWIN CEO.

The Conservation Legacy Award was introduced to recognize an individual whose longstanding leadership, generosity, and dedication have left a lasting mark on conservation in our region and helped build a stronger foundation for future generations. Mr. Claire Wales is the very first recipient of this award.

Claire Wales, Past Chair of the Foundation, is joined by his wife Marj Raymond, to receive the first Conservation Legacy Award.

A retired Chartered Accountant and former Partner with Roth Mosey & Partners LLP, Claire has been an extraordinary supporter of the Essex Region Conservation Foundation since first joining its Board of Directors in 2014. Under his leadership, the Essex Region Bike Tour, one of the Foundation’s three signature fundraising events, has grown significantly.  Claire served as Foundation Vice-President from 2016 to 2021, as Chair from 2021 to 2023, and for the past two years served in the capacity of Past Chair. In each of these roles, he has made meaningful contributions to the Governance Committee, Golf Committee, Strategic Planning Committee, and more. Through his Board service, Claire has provided thoughtful guidance, strong leadership, and a trusted voice for the Foundation at events and throughout the community.

Claire has also been a dedicated advocate for the John R. Park Homestead, contributing generously to the creation of the new Conservation Centre and to ongoing restoration efforts, including as a matching-gift donor and exponentially increasing the impact of his generosity and preserving this treasured piece of our region’s heritage.

 “While I’m deeply humbled by this recognition, it is not mine alone,” said Wale. “It reflects the power of WE - all of us working together to make a profound conservation impact across the Windsor-Essex region. This Conservation Legacy tribute is one I share with everyone who is helping to make a difference.” 

The Foundation thanked the many supporters who raised over $476,000 in 2025 for conservation projects like tree planting and habitat restoration, supporting children in curriculum-based outdoor education and restoring the John R. Park Homestead’s historic barns. You can read the Foundation’s Gratitude Report and watch its impact video at https://essexregionconservation.ca/foundation.

“We are so grateful to all of you - the many donors and supporters who continue to make an impact in our region, to make it the Place for Life,” said David Robins, who began his term as Foundation Chair. “Whether you contributed a few dollars or many thousands, you are making a difference in this place we live, work, play and call home.”

Since 1977, the Essex Region Conservation Foundation has been enriching and sustaining the Windsor-Essex-Pelee Island region as the Place for Life.