ABOUT CLRA | ACRSD

Dr. Jack Winch Early Career Award

—

 

This award honours Dr. Jack Winch principal founder and inaugural President of the Canadian Land Reclamation Association/Association Canadienne de Réhabilitation des Sites Dégradés (CLRA/ACRSD).

Subsequent to serving in the Royal Canadian Air Force, Jack earned a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and a Masters of Scientific Agriculture, from the University of Guelph and a PhD. in Agronomy from Cornell University. Jack joined the Crop Science Department of the University of Guelph, where he taught crop and forage production, and plant physiology, to diploma, undergraduate and graduate students, until his retirement in 1986.

During his career, Jack made significant contributions to research, practice, and extension focusing on the evaluation and introduction of birdsfoot trefoil and crown vetch. The practice of using these plants was adopted broadly and led to the development of a robust trefoil industry in Ontario. His extension work led him across the province, engaging with the farm community and establishing demonstration projects. Jack is credited with developing a new, in vitro method for the evaluation of forage crops and establishing a new forage crop cutting methodology. His work attracted graduate students to the University of Guelph, from Canada and around the world.

Jack served a critical role in the direction of the land reclamation community, acknowledging the need for a professional organization to support the burgeoning, multidisciplinary field. In 1970, he was instrumental to the formation of the Ontario Cover Crops Committee. Recognizing that the land reclamation community would be better served by a formal organization, the Canadian Land Reclamation Association was established in 1975. Jack was elected President, a role in which he would serve for a three-year term. During his tenure, Jack’s leadership and direction were instrumental to the development of the CLRA, including its mandate and membership, and to the establishment of the annual meeting and reclamation-focused periodical, “Canadian Reclamation”. Since that time, the CLRA has continued to grow, having five Chapters across Canada, and members representing government, industry and academia, from across Canada and around the world.

The award acknowledges the efforts of Early Career Reclamation Professionals. The award is presented annually at the CLRA National Conference to an individual in recognition of their outstanding contribution to reclamation research and practice.

ELIGIBILITY

  • Nominators must be members of CLRA/ACRSD in good standing (dues paid) at the time of the nomination.

  • Nominees will be considered if they are within their first 10-12 years of professional practice, where professional practice is defined as experience gained after entering the workforce, or after the completion of their terminal diploma/degree.

  • The CLRA/ACRSD President, Vice-President, and members of the Award Selection Committee are not eligible to be nominated or submit nominations during their term of office.

NOMINATION PROCEDURES

  • Institutions, companies, organizations, or individuals may nominate a Candidate.

  • The nomination acknowledges research or practice undertaken within the first 10-12 years of the professional practice of a Candidate.

  • The Candidate can be nominated for their body of work or for a particular project.

SELECTION OF AWARD RECIPIENT

The Dr. Jack Winch Award Selection Committee consists of the Awards Committee Chair of the CLRA/ACRSD, as well as representatives from two CLRA chapters. None of these individuals can either make nominations or submit letters of recommendation.

One award will be given per year.

Nominations that do not meet all the criteria or format requirements will not be considered. Nominations that exceed the size limitations or are not received by the deadline will not be considered to ensure fair and equitable evaluation of the nominations.

NoMINEE SUPPORTING DoCUMENTS

  1. Obtain a current curriculum vitae which must include the following:

    • Education: Give degree, academic field, institution and date of all education above high school diploma.

    • Work Experience: List dates, employers and location of professional positions held, beginning with current position or last position held.

    • Professional Service: List memberships and offices held in professional societies and honourary organizations and service on professional and technical committees.

    • Honours and Awards: List all honours, and awards received and designate whether local, regional or national. List these chronologically and give descriptions of them.

    • Publications: List and group all relevant publications by refereed journal, conference and workshop proceedings, book chapters, university or institutional publications and magazine type articles.

  2. A document that clearly outlines the research or practice contribution made by the Candidate, not exceeding two pages, in length.

Accepting Nominations: January 1
Nomination Deadline: December 31

Nomination Submission Requirements

Please email info@clra.ca to inquire.