CRCA’s Rick Knapton Named “Planter Of The Year” By Forests Ontario

Feb 16, 2022

One of the longest serving members of the Cataraqui Conservation team is receiving province-wide recognition for his excellence and dedication to tree planting.

At the recent Forests Ontario (FO) Annual Conference, Rick Knapton earned the Most Valuable Planter Award from the organization]

The award “recognizes outstanding contributions to the health of our natural ecosystems through tree planting initiatives.

“Rick has been co-ordinating the tree planting program at [Cataraqui Conservation] for 30+ years and has been involved with FO’s programs since 2005. Through the 50 Million Tree Program, [Cataraqui Conservation] has planted more than two million trees. Rick co-ordinates and delivers on every aspect of the program, including promotion, landowner contact, planning, site preparation, planting, tending, and monitoring,” said the statement from FO.

“He is well respected and always willing to share his expertise to help make the planting program stronger and more responsive to the needs of the other partners and private landowners. A great Planting Delivery Agent, his planting operation is well run and achieves a high standard, and Rick continues to make valuable contributions to FO discussions.”

Knapton was also recently recognized for completing 30 years of service with Cataraqui Conservation. He currently works as the Forestry Coordinator as part of Cataraqui Conservation’s Conservation Lands and Operations Team.

As an associate professional forester, he is responsible for Cataraqui Conservation’s Forestry Program, his efforts can be seen across the landscape in our region as he works with both private and government landowners to increase forest cover, with a total of more than three million trees planted, including those through the programs with Forests Ontario.

Forests Ontario is dedicated to making Ontario’s forests greener. Their ambitious tree planting initiatives, extensive education programs and decades of community outreach have resulted in millions of trees being planted each year.

In his response to winning the award, Knapton said “I have been a partner with Forests Ontario, formerly Trees Ontario, for 21 years, a good chunk of my career. As a result of this partnership, I have the great fortune of working with many excellent and dedicated people over the years, for which I will be forever grateful. Just shows how important partnerships, teamwork and collaboration are for us all the achieve our common goals. Keep up the work everybody, and thanks again.”