Wrapping up another successful year!

By Hazel Breton, Chair, 2014 Latornell Conservation Symposium

On behalf of the Steering Committee, I would like to thank you for attending the 21st Latornell Conservation Symposium. While we were certainly tested by the weather you were resolved in your determination to attend the Symposium.

With the theme of Growth & Transformation, this year’s Symposium was specifically geared to engage attendees to embrace both personal and professional growth and enable local communities in much needed transformative change.

Thank you for your feedback through the survey that was recently circulated. Ninety-three percent of respondents thought the Symposium was good to excellent and eighty-seven percent of respondents felt that they would share what they learned with those at their place of work.  We have heard that you enjoyed having a variety of learning formats including workshops, tours and traditional sessions. Networking opportunities remain a key opportunity for attendees to connect with other professionals from across disciplines and across the province. Once again attendees were very pleased with both the Nottawasaga Inn and all the amenities it offers, especially the caliber of meals.

Our fundraising activities were very well supported again this year and we were able to raise over $10,000 towards supporting attendees who would not otherwise be able to afford to attend the Symposium in 2015. Thank you for your generosity and support of these activities.

I would like to thank our sponsors for their financial support towards delivering a comprehensive three-day program. We could not otherwise produce this high caliber experience for attendees.

I am grateful to the steering committee members who worked tirelessly over the year prior to the Symposium and during the Symposium. Their commitment and enthusiasm throughout the year leading up to the Symposium is acknowledged and greatly appreciated.

Finally, I trust that you will all continue your professional journey and feel empowered, both personally and professionally, to take action to begin to transform your local communities (offices, watersheds, municipalities, businesses etc.) to meet the challenges ahead. Some advice - start today.

It has been a wonderful privilege and honour for me to chair this 21st Symposium. All my best.

Hazel Breton is the Chair of the 2014 Latornell Conservation Symposium.