Call for nominations to Ontario Heritage Trust community recognition programs

TORONTO, June 23 /CNW/ - The Ontario Heritage Trust is seeking nominations for its 2010 Community Leadership, Young Heritage Leaders and Heritage Community Recognition programs. The nomination deadline is Wednesday, September 15, 2010.

These annual recognition programs celebrate volunteer and community contributions in identifying, preserving, protecting and promoting Ontario's heritage. The Lieutenant Governor's Ontario Heritage Award is the highest level of recognition awarded through the programs.

"Through these recognition programs, we aim to celebrate communities and volunteers leading the way in conserving Ontario's heritage," said Dr. Thomas H.B. Symons, Chairman of the Ontario Heritage Trust. "Honouring their achievements also helps to promote awareness of the importance of conservation in our communities."

The programs recognize achievements in built, cultural and natural heritage conservation:

    
    -   The Community Leadership Program honours communities with
        demonstrated leadership in heritage conservation and promotion.
        Communities can nominate themselves for the Lieutenant Governor's
        Ontario Heritage Award for Community Leadership in one of four
        population sub-categories (under 10,000; from 10,000 to 50,000;
        50,000 to 125,000; and over 125,000).
    -   Young Heritage Leaders helps schools and communities recognize
        exceptional young volunteers. The most outstanding individual and
        group nominees are eligible for the Lieutenant Governor's Ontario
        Heritage Award for Youth Achievement. The top individual also
        receives a $2,000 post-secondary scholarship, awarded by the Ontario
        Heritage Trust and program sponsors Great-West Life, London Life and
        Canada Life.
    -   The Heritage Community Recognition Program celebrates individuals and
        groups of volunteers for conservation activities. Volunteers with
        contributions over a period of 25 years or more can be nominated in a
        special category for the Lieutenant Governor's Ontario Heritage Award
        for Lifetime Achievement.
    

Program nominations must be endorsed by a motion of a municipal council, regional council, First Nation band council or Métis community council and include supporting material. For Young Heritage Leaders, school principals can also endorse nominations. The program guidelines and the nomination forms are available at www.heritagetrust.on.ca.

"Heritage conservation enriches our communities and improves the quality of life for Ontarians," said Michael Chan, Minister of Tourism and Culture. "This is an opportunity to recognize communities and individuals who are contributing to preserving our unique and diverse history."

The funding for Young Heritage Leaders from Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life comes through the companies' national corporate citizenship program.

"We have sponsored Young Heritage Leaders over the past decade because we appreciate the value of encouraging youth to take the lead in preserving local heritage and ecology," said Jan Belanger, Assistant Vice-President, Community Affairs, for Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life. "We are honoured our long-term support helps the Ontario Heritage Trust recognize and inspire young leaders to greater involvement as we all work to build stronger communities together."

The Ontario Heritage Trust is an agency of the Government of Ontario, dedicated to identifying, preserving, protecting and promoting Ontario's heritage for the benefit of present and future generations.

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For further information: Catrina Colme, Senior Marketing and Communications Specialist, Ontario Heritage Trust, Telephone: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]; Marlene Klassen, Assistant Vice-President, Communication Services, Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life, Telephone: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]