The following article appeared in the Carolinian Canada Newsletter, Winter 2003 - 4 under the headline Patricia Rhoads: Leading Locally. Congratulations to Patricia who is the worthy recipient of the Carolinian Canada Conservation Award.
Award recipient Patricia Rhoads of Woodslee is a leader in natural heritage restoration in Essex County. By working with the community, bringing the best science to bear, and consistently "getting involved," Patricia has made a significant difference to her natural environment and her community. Not to forget, her amazing list of accomplishments includes raising three children and managing the family property, a 50 acre Oak Hickory Forest, along with husband Chuck.
Patricia has been actively restoring natural habitats in Essex County for many years, from writing funding proposals to "getting her hands dirty" on site with landowners, community and school groups. She aims for high quality restoration: many of her sites have incredible start-up diversity, with over forty species of indigenous trees and shrubs, propagated from seeds collected locally. She runs a native plant nursery - Woodland Farm. At last count the number of trees, shrubs and wildflowers, all derived from local seed sources, was over 20,000 and growing. To expand the science of restoration, Patricia is working with the Association for Canadian Educational Resources (ACER) to monitor various stages of restoration and succession. Alice Casselman, ACER President nominated Patricia for the reward.
As chairperson of the first Habitat Restoration Conference for Essex and Kent Counties, Patricia aimed to provide tools to landowners who want to do the "right thing," but are often frustrated by the lack of accessible resources. Held in March of 2002, this conference brought landowners together with experts from across Ontario.
Continuing to build resources for local and appropriate environmental action, Patricia became one of the co-founders of the Canada South Land Trust. As she builds this organization, she will be able to draw on her considerable experience as Director of many local conservation organizations including: Essex County Woodlot Owners's Association, Essex County Field Naturalists' Club, Christian Farmers Association of Essex County, and Natural Habitat Restoration Program.