2004 WAYLAND DREW NATURAL HERITAGE AWARD

PETER GOERING

Peter Goering's record of contributions to the protection of the natural, cultural and built heritage of Muskoka is both lengthy and impressive.

A long-time cottager on Lake of Bays, Peter served on the Lake of Bays Heritage Foundation for five years before bringing his considerable talents and energy to Board of Directors of the Muskoka Heritage Foundation beginning in 1995. For several years, he was an original member of the Built Heritage Committee of the Foundation, serving as Chair of that committee from 1998-2000. He was involved in setting goals and objectives for that fledgling group, and played a key role in initiating seminars on heritage cottages and the identification of heritage buildings in Muskoka.

One of his pet projects in those early days was championing the Living Archives, an innovative technology-based approach to protecting archival materials in Muskoka. Although the concept may have been ahead of its time and funding for that project has yet to emerge, the principles and concepts underlying it remain vital today.

In cooperation with the Muskoka Heritage Trust, Peter established Muskoka's first conservation easement on the Lake of Bays property that has been in his family for over 50 years.

As important as all of that has been, Peter Goering's greatest contribution has undoubtedly been through his advocacy on behalf of the night skies. He was a driving force behind the establishment of Canada's first dark sky reserve at the Torrance Barrens in 1999. It was his determination and persistence that was a key factor in the very successful Ecology of the Night Symposium in 2003 that brought experts from around the world together to share their knowledge and insights.

The Muskoka Heritage Foundation is pleased to recognize Peter Goering as the 2004 recipient of the Wayland Drew Award.