ABOUT CLRA | ACRSD

Dr. Jack Winch Memorial Scholarship

—

 

Dr. Jack Winch flying to the 1977 CLRA National Conference and AGM

Dr. Jack Winch was a reclamation scientist and a principal founder and inaugural President of the Canadian Land Reclamation Association/Association Canadienne de Réhabilitation des Sites Dégradés (CLRA/ACRSD).

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 in 1958, where he taught crop and forage production and plant physiology to diploma, undergraduate, and graduate students until he retired in 1986.

Jack’s legacy includes significant contributions to the advancement of reclamation research, practice, and extension. In particular, Jack’s extension work with the evaluation and introduction of bird’s foot trefoil and crown vetch ultimately lead to the broad use of these plants and the development of an Ontario trefoil industry for erosion control and livestock forage. Jack’s extension work led him to rural communities across the province where he established demonstration projects. Jack is also 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 from Canada and around the world.

Jack served a critical role in the direction of the land reclamation community, acknowledging the need to establish a professional organization to support the burgeoning, multidisciplinary field. Initially involved in the formation of the Ontario Cover Crops Committee in 1970, he, along with other researchers and practitioners, went on to found the Canadian Land Reclamation Association in 1975. Jack was elected the inaugural President and served a three-year term. His leadership and direction were instrumental to the development of the Association’s mandate and membership; and to the establishment of the annual meeting and the reclamation-focused periodical, “Canadian Reclamation” an initiative that has lasted for some 45 years. Since that time, the CLRA has continued to expand, adding Chapters and growing a membership that includes representatives from government, industry, and academia, from across Canada and around the world.

Scholarship

The Dr. Jack Winch Memorial Scholarship is presented annually to a post-secondary student in recognition of their outstanding contribution to reclamation research and practice, including landowner engagement. The scholarship is valued at $3000 and will be presented to the recipient at the annual Ontario Mine Reclamation Symposium and Field Trip.

ELIGIBILITY

  1. The applicant must be enrolled as a full-time, senior Undergraduate or Graduate student in a Canadian college or university at the time the award is presented.

  2. The research that the applicant is conducting must be on an Ontario-based project.

  3. The applicant is encouraged to present their research findings at the Ontario Mine Reclamation Symposium and Field Trip (or the CLRA National meeting). Conducting field trips to research sites is strongly encouraged.

  4. The Scholarship will be a cash award of $3,000.

  5. CLRA student membership is not required but is highly recommended. CLRA members may be given preference over non-members when evaluating submissions.

  6. The applicant cannot have previously received the scholarship.

Application PROCEDURES

The applicant is required to submit the following documentation to the CLRA Ontario Chapter – Dr. Jack Winch Memorial Scholarship.

  1. Letter of Intent – a statement, not exceeding two pages in length, that describes their research project, and how it demonstrates the characteristics that exemplified Dr. Winch, including dedication to reclamation research, practice, and communication. Applicants able to demonstrate work in landowner engagement, education, and consultation would be an asset.

  2. Student Resume – that describes their education, professional and volunteer/service experience, including internships, work and/or co-op experience, academic courses, and projects related to their area of study.

  3. Transcript - request and submit one original transcript from the applicant's school(s).

  4. Letter of Recommendation – from their project or thesis supervisor, outlining why this work/student is deserving of the scholarship. The letter of recommendation should be supplied separately from the application package.

Application Deadline

The deadline will vary depending on the date of the Ontario Mine Reclamation Symposium and Field Trip. The CLRA Ontario Chapter Award Review Committee will evaluate applications and notify applications prior to the Symposium and Field Trip.

Please email info@clra.ca to inquire.