Local naturalist and Village Media columnist David J. Hawke is being recognized by the Ontario Woodlot Association (OWA) for his years of educating others about the value of forests and other habitats.
Hawke was presented with the Lorax Award, which is named for the woodland creature invented by Dr. Seuss who “spoke for the trees.”
“This award recognizes an individual or group for outstanding achievement for promoting a better understanding and appreciation of forest values in Ontario’s woodlands,” states OWA criteria for this award.
Hawke was nominated by the Huronia Woodland Owners Association (HWOA), the Huronia chapter of the provincial organization.
Jim Marchand, a HWOA and OWA board member, said, “It was with great pride we nominated David, as for many years he has been consistently advocating for awareness and understanding of the natural environment.”
Upon learning that he was this year’s recipient, Hawke smiled with satisfaction as it was Dr. Seuss’ 1972 book The Lorax that inspired him in his early days as an outdoor educator. When the Lorax appears in the story and claims, “I speak for the trees, as the trees have no tongues…” Hawke felt a deep pull toward fulfilling this challenge of communicating the importance of all elements of our surrounding natural world.
When Hawke started working at the Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre in 1979, this message was further enhanced by the teachings of Bob Whittam, the centre’s director, when he was told that the best way to educate was with entertainment, a method Whittam called the Sesame Street model. If people have fun learning, they will remember the event.
