Volunteer Recognition
Celebrating and honouring those who contribute to making the Bruce Trail such a special place.
Extraordinary people give their time and talents year-round to preserve a ribbon of wilderness, for everyone, forever. The Bruce Trail simply would not exist without the dedication and passion of volunteers – in fact, the Trail thrives because of this wonderful community.
Bruce Trail Conservancy Volunteer Awards
Recognizing volunteers through our annual awards is just one way we say thank you for their contributions and commitment. Browse below for more on each award and meet some of the amazing past recipients.
Do you know an outstanding volunteer? Someone who has gone above and beyond in support of the Bruce Trail and the work of the Bruce Trail Conservancy? Help us recognize their remarkable contribution by nominating them for one of these awards. Nominations close June 30 each year and awards are presented in the fall.
Calypso Orchid Environmental Award
The Calypso Orchid Environmental Award is awarded to an individual, volunteer group, institution or company that has demonstrated a significant contribution to the restoration and preservation of the Bruce Trail and/or the Niagara Escarpment Biosphere Reserve, or significantly enhanced the education of users or potential users of the Trail and/or the Niagara Escarpment Biosphere Reserve. The recipient needs not be a member of the Bruce Trail Conservancy. Exemplary actions by the recipients can have either a direct and/or indirect effect on the Bruce Trail. Meritorious actions can be a single event or undertaken over several years.
In the spring of 1956 Arthur Storey saw his first calypso orchid on a trip to Tobermory. Twenty years later Lloyd Smith commemorated the event by carving a diamond willow walking staff for him, including a likeness of a calypso orchid on the handle. In 1997 Arthur donated the walking staff to the Bruce Trail Conservancy, with the wish that an environmental award be established. The Calypso Orchid Environmental Award was established in 2000.
Calypso Orchid Environmental Award
2025 Recipient
Owen Sound Field Naturalists
Though this award, the Bruce Trail Conservancy recognizes and celebrates Owen Sound Field Naturalists’ (OSFN) outstanding dedication to nurturing the appreciation and conservation of our natural world. OSFN’s educational activities, Young Naturalist program and newly revised guidebooks are stellar examples of how OSFN promotes understanding and inspires action for the protection of nature.
For more than 35 years, OSFN have been champions of conservation education in the Bruce Grey region. Through hikes, seminars, and webinars, OSFN helps thousands deepen their understanding of the ecosystems that make the Niagara Escarpment so extraordinary. Their publications—including guidebooks on vascular plants, ferns, and appropriately orchids—are valued resources used by Bruce Trail hikers, conservation leaders, and educators alike. The OSFN Young Naturalist program engages children and youth in exploring, identifying, and caring for the natural world, helping foster the next generation of conservationists.
The Bruce Trail Conservancy honours OSFN’s tremendous volunteer efforts to increase public awareness on environmental issues affecting the Niagara Escarpment, boost understanding and appreciation of Escarpment biodiversity, and contribute to the preservation of the Bruce Trail’s conservation corridor.
Honorary Membership
The Bruce Trail Conservancy Honorary Membership is a prestigious award given to a member who has made a lasting, significant volunteer contribution to the organization at both the Bruce Trail Club and Bruce Trail Conservancy levels. The nominee must have demonstrated leadership, innovation, and commitment and have accomplished significant achievements in furthering the Bruce Trail Conservancy mission. The recipient is awarded a certificate and a complimentary lifetime membership.
Honorary Membership
2025 Recipient
Dick Edwards
Since joining the Bruce Trail in 1994, Dick Edwards has been a steady, guiding presence whose leadership and stewardship have shaped the Blue Mountains Club for decades. Elected Club President just two years after joining—and serving nearly ten years over several terms—Dick brought vision and determination to Trail creation, infrastructure improvements, and environmental protection. During his tenure as President and beyond, Dick has earned a reputation for bringing people together, managing projects with care, working thoughtfully with landowners, and getting his hands dirty.
Dick has consistently had a role in almost every project that involved new trail in the section from 1996 to the present – from design to completion. His project leadership and hands-on work have included routing and blazing new trail, designing structures, building bridges, installing fencing, and removing invasive species. He continues to be a very active trail maintenance volunteer, notably playing a critical role on the team clearing 95 km of trail after the March 2025 ice storm.
As Landowner Relations Director over several years in the early 2000s, Dick fostered important relationships and worked with Directors from other Clubs to share ideas and build best practices for working with landowners.
After 29 years of service, Dick stepped down from the Blue Mountains Club Board in 2025, leaving an extraordinary legacy. He continues to serve as a hike leader, trail captain, and core trail maintenance volunteer. The Bruce Trail Conservancy is pleased to honour Dick’s longstanding contribution with an Honorary Membership.
Ross McLean Volunteer of the Year Award
The Ross McLean Volunteer of the Year Award recognizes a volunteer who has shown extraordinary contributions to the Bruce Trail Conservancy within the last year. The award is not intended to recognize a lifetime of contributions as that would preclude volunteers who have been with us for a short time. Any form of volunteering for the Bruce Trail Conservancy may be considered for this award.
This annual award was renamed in 2020 to honour the passing of its first recipient and remarkable volunteer, Ross McLean.
Ross McLean Volunteer of the Year Award
2025 Recipient
Ruth Moffatt
Ruth Moffatt receives this award for an exceptional year of service defined by energy, creativity, and genuine care for the Bruce Trail and its community. These are characteristics Ruth has displayed since she began volunteering in 2016, which have truly shone through this year. Her work has introduced hundreds of people to the Bruce Trail and the BTC, supported volunteers in their programs, and raised funds in support of the BTC mission.
Over the past year, Ruth delivered presentations, contributed to learning sessions, and volunteered at countless outreach events with enthusiasm and grace. Inspired to welcome newcomers to the Trail, Ruth created the Let’s Hike! program, securing a Municipal Grant from the Town of Grimsby to help launch it. She also facilitated CPR and First Aid training for Iroquoia hike leaders and trail maintenance volunteers, and led Certified Hike Leader courses supporting the Iroquoia and Peninsula Clubs.
Perhaps her most impactful recent contribution has been spearheading the Stained Glass fundraiser hikes, an innovative idea that united volunteers across Clubs, supported aspiring End-to-Enders, and raised more than $30,000. This year, Ruth also became the BTC’s top Hike-a-Thon fundraiser, encouraging $6,000 in donations to the BTC.
Ruth’s generosity of spirit and tireless dedication made a remarkable difference this year.
Cheryl Duke Office Volunteer of the Year Award
Named in honour of Cheryl Duke who was a loyal an office volunteer for almost 30 years, this annual award is given in recognition of the invaluable contributions made by our volunteers at the Bruce Trail Conservancy head office. Recipients are chosen annually by BTC staff.
Cheryl Duke Office Volunteer of the Year Award
2025 Recipient
Peter Morin
Exemplifying teamwork, dedication, flexibility and care, Peter Morin provides indispensable support at the Bruce Trail Conservancy’s head office. His gentle manner and strong support of the BTC mission buoy staff, volunteers and visitors alike.
Peter brings positivity, skill and patience to every task, no matter how routine. He truly helps the operation run efficiently and his calm problem-solving is especially valued when unexpected challenges arise. Engaged and interested in all aspects of the BTC’s work, Peter offers thoughtful insights to staff across departments. His genuine check-ins with team members foster a sense of cohesion and care that is felt widely.
Peter has also become an important touchpoint for new volunteers, in the office and on the Trail. His dedication to connecting people to the Trail is inspiring, as is the personal approach he takes when welcoming and onboarding prospective volunteers. Many volunteers credit their start at the BTC to Peter’s encouragement and support.
Peter embodies the spirit of service that sustains the BTC. We are profoundly grateful for his kindness, commitment, and behind-the-scenes leadership.
Jack Morgan Award for Excellence in Land Securement
This award is presented annually to an individual volunteer or group who has made a significant contribution to the land securement efforts of the Bruce Trail Conservancy in the past year, showcasing hard work and dedication to the BTC’s mission and land securement goals. Award recipients may be involved in any aspect of the land securement process, from nurturing positive relationships with important stakeholders to advancing complex securement endeavors with creative thinking or action.
This award honours Jack Morgan, a long-serving BTC volunteer and member who passed away in 2024. Jack played an integral role in the land securement efforts of the BTC over his years of volunteering while serving in many positions. In the Beaver Valley, Jack led the charge on many land securement initiatives. Notable among these was a string of five adjacent properties in Fairmount which ultimately preserved a corridor of 229 acres and secured 3.4 km of the Bruce Trail’s Optimum Route. But perhaps his most memorable accomplishment was the establishment of the Falling Water Trail, a 30-kilometre looping route on the Bruce Trail traversing both sides of the Beaver Valley. Jack’s skills in landowner relations, land securement and trail development all came together to make this a permanent route for the Bruce Trail and a popular hike where one is never far from the sight or the sound of falling water.
Jack Morgan Award
2025 Recipient
Carl Alexander
As the first recipient of this new award, Carl Alexander exemplifies the spirit, dedication and hard work of the award’s namesake Jack Morgan.
For more than two decades as the Landowner Relations Director for the Dufferin Hi-Land Club, Carl Alexander has built the strong, trusting relationships that make a secured Trail and lasting conservation possible. With creativity, diplomacy, and patience, Carl has helped navigate many complex securement projects.
Recently, Carl was instrumental in securing the Pine River Nature Reserve—where two of the three properties were generously donated—and played a central role in acquiring a series of adjacent properties at Honeywood Ridge. Carl also planned and coordinated the fencing and stiles at Honeywood Ridge needed to ensure that hikers and grazing cattle could safely share the landscape.
Beyond these achievements, Carl has been a steady source of advice and encouragement for countless securement efforts in the Dufferin Hi-Land section and beyond. The Bruce Trail Conservancy is grateful to Carl for his outstanding work building these crucial relationships and furthering the securement of our ribbon of wilderness.
Random Acts of Kindness Award
Every day on the Bruce Trail, people show kindness, demonstrate consideration, and share compassion for others. These values are essential to the Bruce Trail experience but may go unrecognized.
The new BTC CEO Random Acts of Kindness Awards are an opportunity for us to celebrate these kind acts. These annual awards will be presented to any BTC member or supporter who has demonstrated an act of kindness towards another BTC member, supporter or user on the Bruce Trail or while volunteering for the Bruce Trail. These may be any act of kindness – large or small. The number of certificates presented may change from year to year.
Random Acts of Kindness Award
2025 Recipients
Karen Bergmann
For compassionately helping hikers who needed to leave a challenge hike early, providing goodies, extra water and a ride back to their vehicle, turning a difficult moment into a positive memory.
Mary-Ellen Cole
For helping to install a Wind Phone at a serene stop on the Trail to support those who may be grieving the loss of a loved one. For consistently encouraging and supporting hikers at End-to-End events, through Trail Angel rides, and outreach booths.
Daryl Keays
For thoughtfully responding to the needs of struggling hikers on a hot and humid day of the Iroquoia End-to-End by catching up with them at a later checkpoint with ice-cold water and genuine enthusiasm. His instinctive generosity made all the difference.
Leaders in Hiking Award
This award is presented annually in recognition of an outstanding Hike Leader, Hike Director or other BTC volunteer or individual who has shown exceptional leadership within the BTC hiking program.
Leaders in Hiking Award
2025 Recipients
Sandra Green
Sandra (Sandy) brings boundless enthusiasm and heart to everything she touches as Hike Leader, Caledon Hills Club President, Sawyer, Land Steward, and End-to-End Coordinator. Her passion for the Bruce Trail is contagious. She inspires others to hike, volunteer, join or donate, helping to strengthen every part of the BTC community.
Over the past three years, Sandra has led nearly 100 hikes, including specialized outings designed to connect youth with nature. Her background in education shines through as she introduces army cadets, Big Brothers Big Sisters participants, school groups, and Scouts to the wonders of the Escarpment. Sandra’s leadership is generous, joyful, and deeply impactful.
Saabir Sohrab
As Hike Director of the Peninsula Club, Saabir has transformed and expanded the Club’s hiking program with creativity and thoughtful leadership. Under his guidance, the program now includes additional end-to-end series, make-up hikes, themed badge hikes, sunrise and sunset outings, full-moon hikes, winter adventures, and in 2025 the Club’s first trail-running end-to-end.
Saabir’s encouragement has inspired many hikers to become leaders themselves, growing the Peninsula’s cadre to 25 active hike leaders. Always reliable and quick to step in when needed, he also supports trail captains with maintenance and reporting. Saabir leads with kindness, integrity, a commitment to safety, and a love of the Trail.
Doug O’Neill
Doug has brought fresh ideas and energy to the Iroquoia Club hike program. Last November, he introduced a series of Rainbow Hikes and Public Transportation Hikes to create inclusive and accessible opportunities for participation. Doug also introduced the idea of optional exit points, making longer outings less intimidating especially for first time participants. Pairing the hikes with sustainable and 2SLGBTQ+ friendly dining options has helped to foster a sense of belonging.
Doug is sharing the lessons he has learned from leading these hikes with volunteers in other Clubs and with staff to help us authentically practice inclusivity.
A gifted storyteller, Doug has written articles for Hamilton City Magazine and Explore Magazine that have brought invaluable positive attention to the Bruce Trail. His creativity, advocacy, and passion for people make him an exceptional ambassador.
Trail Development & Maintenance Awards
These volunteer awards highlight outstanding Trail projects and focus on volunteers involved in Trail Development and Maintenance. Award recipients are chosen each year by the Trail Development & Maintenance Committee.
Susan Oleskevich Award
This award is presented annually to an outstanding trail worker. For more than a decade Susan Oleskevich was a loyal trail maintenance volunteer. During this time, she was Trail Director for the Conservancy, and for the Caledon Hills and Toronto Bruce Trail Clubs. When Susan died suddenly in the summer of 1995, a group of her friends wanted to donate a lasting symbol of her contribution to the Trail. From these discussions came the Susan Oleskevich Award. The contributions of Susan Oleskevich deserve to be remembered. With the annual presentation of this award, her memory will remain strong and provide a source of motivation for all of us as we continue our volunteer commitment.
The successful recipient shall:
- Be an outstanding trail worker.
- Have been actively involved in the physical work of trail maintenance and development.
- Have long-standing commitment to trail work.
Susan Oleskevich Award
2025 Recipient
Paul Vanhanen
Paul receives this year’s Susan Oleskevich Award in recognition of his remarkable, decades-long dedication to designing, building, maintaining, and strengthening the Bruce Trail. Paul will celebrate 50 years as a BTC member in 2026, and he has volunteered for nearly that entire time—first with the Blue Mountains Club for more than a decade before being recruited to the Toronto Club by Maureen Smith.
A founding member of both the Land Management Committee and the Halton Hills Chapter of the Toronto Club, Paul has served as Trail Maintenance Director, Landowner Relations Director, and in numerous other leadership roles across boards and committees. He has generously shared his expertise as a long-standing trail captain, land steward, hike leader, and club ambassador at countless community events.
Paul’s legacy on the Trail is extraordinary. He has directed the construction of more than 30 structures in the Toronto section, including extensive boardwalks, two parking lots, and over a dozen major bridges (many over 36 feet long, including two completed in the past year alone). He also designed and built the Bruce Trail information pavilion at Pear Tree, a much-loved landmark for hikers.
Hard-working, generous, and encouraging, Paul has lifted up fellow volunteers and hikers for decades. You may say that the Trail’s strength quite literally stands on the foundations he has helped build.
Philip & Jean Gosling Award
Awarded annually to the Bruce Trail Club completing the year’s most significant trail project which improves or protects the environment. Philip Gosling is a Founder of The Bruce Trail Conservancy. He was actively involved in much of the early work done to secure landowner permission for the Bruce Trail, and the initial blazing. The Award acknowledges the pivotal work done by a BTC Founder and his late wife in developing and building The Bruce Trail.
Philip & Jean Gosling Award
2025 Recipient
Peninsula Bruce Trail Club
In a year of exceptional Trail projects from several Clubs, the Peninsula Club’s new stairway south of Hope Bay shone brightly. The scale of the project, the thoughtful planning and engineering, and the craftsmanship evident in every detail combine to make this an outstanding example of trail building that protects both hikers and the environment.
This beautiful staircase replaces a ladder, making a safer option for hikers and reduces damage to the surrounding environment created by those who may have left the Trail and looked for an alternate route.
To accommodate the work while maintaining Trail access, the Club worked with a nearby landowner and, through a new handshake agreement, created a temporary trail detour on neighboring land. After all the planning and designing, five volunteers spent six full days, contributing 228 hours to the construction.
Tom East Award
Awarded annually to the Bruce Trail Club completing the most significant trail project that places the Trail on the Optimum Route, or adds a worthwhile new side trail. The trophy honours Tom East, an early trail builder, especially in the Caledon Hills section. He is a Past President of the BTC, and the founder of the BTC’s Escarpment Preservation Fund.
Tom East Award
2025 Recipient
Toronto Bruce Trail Club
The Toronto Club is recognized this year for a major reroute north of Limehouse that significantly improves the Bruce Trail experience. Following the successful securement of Limestone Roost Nature Reserve, the project removed a remarkable 900 metres of Bruce Trail from 5th Line and built 1.5 kilometres of Trail along the Optimum Route. The main Bruce Trail has been rerouted to a natural environment, and sections of the old route have become new side trails, providing additional access between the main Bruce Trail and roadside parking. One of the most striking achievements in the stretch is a new 36-foot bridge over Beeney Creek.
This project completed a 30-year program of land acquisition and trail building between the 5th and 6th Lines in Halton Hills—a true final piece of the puzzle. It stands as a powerful example of how strategic long-term planning, perseverance, and dedication are improving the Trail and preserving a ribbon of wilderness.
