Fred Losani And Peter Turkstra Awarded The Calypso Orchid Environmental Award

Fred Losani of Losani Homes and Peter Turkstra of Turkstra Lumber, have played a significant role in educating children about the benefits of the Bruce Trail along with contributing to the restoration of the trail through the Bruce Trail Expedition for Kids last October. As a result of their hard work and contribution they have been awarded the Bruce Trail Conservancy's highest environmental award, the Calypso Orchid Environmental Award.

Fred and Peter have spent much of their lives living and working in the Hamilton area and have always valued the natural landscape that exists so close to home. This led them pursue their dream of taking on an adventure of hiking the entire length of the Bruce Trail, from Niagara to Tobermory, while raising funds and educating youth about conservation and restoration of the Niagara Escarpment Biosphere. This is Fred's third environmental award this year, along with an award from the Hamilton Halton Home Builders' Association in 2012 and again in 2006.

Calypso Orchid Environmental Award 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.

The original diamond willow walking stick and a commemorative plaque are displayed at the BTC Head Office. At the AGM, award recipients are presented with a certificate and their own engraved walking staff. The recipient must demonstrate a significant contribution to the restoration and preservation of the Bruce Trail and/or the Niagara Escarpment Biosphere Reserve, or significantly enhance the education of users or potential users of the Trail and/or the Niagara Escarpment Biosphere Reserve.