~ Robert Whitney ~
A legacy of conservation and stewardship

The conservation community in the City of Kawartha Lakes and surrounding areas lost a significant contributor to land and water stewardship when Robert Whitney passed away unexpectedly in April of 2007.

Robert was passionate about protecting and conserving his property on the Pigeon River and was the founding "Stream Steward" of the Community Stream Steward Program (CSSP). It was his vision of community engagement and involvement in stream stewardship that resulted in the development of the CSSP with a wide variety of program partners.

"Robert's vision was extraordinary," says Tara Borwick, coordinator of the CSSP "and without it the CSSP would not have been a reality nor the success that it is today. Robert will be greatly missed by those whose lives he touched, but his passion for the environment will live on through those people".

An award in Robert's memory will be presented on an annual basis to a deserving graduate of the Ecosystem Management program at Sir Sandford Fleming College in Lindsay. Mike Fraser, coordinator of the Ecosystems Management Program has many fond memories of Robert.

"Robert was a student in the Ecosystem Management program prior to my arrival to the program, however my exposure to Robert came when I worked for two summers as the Ontario Stewardship Ranger Team Leader. I had the fortunate opportunity to work with him and a group of 17-year old summer students on hia property. It became very clear to me that Robert possessed a great deal of passion towards environmental restoration and helping the next generation understand the importance of caring for the environment." Fraser adds that "Robert left a profound impression on 8 young adults and myself over the two summers we worked with him. He will be missed."

Barbara Elliot, a faculty member in the Ecosystem Management program, had the pleasure of being one of Robert's teachers during his time at Fleming College. "I am deeply saddened by this loss and cannot tell you how much I truly respected Robert for all that he did and all that he endured. Winston Churchill once said that 'we make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give'. Robert gave all that he had to this world and to those who had the opportunity to share in his journey".

The Robert Whitney Memorial Award will be presented each year on behalf of Sir Sandford Fleming College, the Community Stream Steward Program, Durham Land Stewardship Council, Northumberland Stewardship Council, Peterborough County Stewardship Council and the Victoria Land and Water Stewardship Council to a student who is passionate about learning and is an active participant in the learning process. They are also curious, determined and an advocate for what is good in the world. These qualities and many others are ones that Robert possessed, shared and instilled in others.