"The Forest Stewardship Award has recognized the stewardship efforts of more than a hundred individuals and organizations since 1998," said Lynn McIntyre, Director of Stewardship Programs for Wildlife Habitat Canada. "The award has raised the profile of forest stewardship across Canada and has increased public awareness of the need for stewardship and biodiversity conservation."

Limerick Forest consists of almost 5,800 hectares of forested land in Grenville County in eastern Ontario. It's a community forest that is being actively managed on a sustainable basis by a group of volunteers known as the Limerick Forest Advisory Committee.

"Thanks to the efforts of the advisory committee, Limerick Forest is providing jobs and recreational opportunities for the community. At the same time, the forest's biodiversity and water resources have been protected. This is an excellent example of how a community forest should be managed," said McIntyre.

Recipients of the forest stewardship award receive a limited edition print of a painting entitled New Morning, by BC artist Don Li-Leger. The founding partners of the Forest Stewardship Recognition Program are Wildlife Habitat Canada, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, the Canadian Forest Service and the Forest Products Association of Canada.

The Forest Stewardship Recognition Program promotes the best practices of the award winners via the Stewardship Canada Web Portal (www.stewardshipcanada.ca). Additional information about the Forest Stewardship Award and the Countryside Canada Stewardship award is available at www.whc.org.

For more information contact:

Mr. Lynn McIntyre
Director of Stewardship Programs
Wildlife Habitat Canada
Tel: 1-800-669-7919 ext. 234