Ontario Parks Association

Protecting Tomorrow Today® Awards

Call for Nominations – 2026

The Ontario Parks Association (OPA) proudly recognizes and celebrates the individuals, teams, organizations, and partners whose leadership, innovation, and dedication are making a lasting impact on parks, open spaces, and the environment across Ontario.

Each year, the Protecting Tomorrow Today® Awards honour those who exemplify excellence in environmental stewardship, community engagement, and professional leadership within the parks and recreation sector.

Do you know someone whose work reflects OPA’s mandate of Protecting Tomorrow Today®? We invite OPA members to recognize these contributions by submitting a nomination.

Nomination Deadline: August 1, 2026
All nominations are reviewed by a Selection Committee comprised of members of the OPA Board of Directors.

Award Categories

Open to Individuals, Groups, and Organizations

Community Engagement Award
Recognizes an individual or group that has demonstrated leadership in raising awareness of parks, open spaces, and/or environmental stewardship within their community through meaningful and impactful engagement initiatives.

Environmental Impact Award
Presented to an individual or organization whose work has made a significant contribution to the betterment of parks, the parks profession, or the natural environment in Ontario.

Urban Design Award
Recognizes professionals responsible for the planning and design of municipal parks, public spaces, streetscapes, and urban intensification projects that prioritize environmental protection through sustainable design, green infrastructure, and innovative technologies.

Open to OPA Members Only

Parks Champion Award
Celebrates an OPA member staff person or team who demonstrates exceptional commitment to environmental leadership by:

• Going above and beyond in their role through initiative, dedication, collaboration, and service excellence; and/or

• Advancing their municipality through innovative green strategies, leadership, and mentorship.

President’s Award
Recognizes an individual or organization that has made sustained and meaningful contributions to the Ontario Parks Association over a number of years.

Lifetime Achievement Award
OPA’s highest honour, presented to an individual who, over a minimum of ten years, has made exceptional and enduring contributions to the parks and open space profession and to the Ontario Parks Association.

Nomination Requirements

To complete a nomination, please be prepared to provide:

• Nominator’s name and contact information

• Nominee’s name and email address

• Selected award category

• A detailed nomination statement outlining the nominee’s achievements in relation to the award criteria

Supporting materials such as photographs, media coverage, or other documentation are encouraged. Individual nominations should also include a brief professional biography.

Submit a Nomination

Nominations may be submitted through the online nomination form or by contacting:

Leesa
Ontario Parks Association
opa@ontarioparksassociation.ca

Thank you for helping OPA recognize excellence and leadership in parks and recreation — Protecting Tomorrow Today®.