Lorne Smith
Nominating Agency: Gray Sauble Conservation Authority

Lorne Smith is a teacher. He chose teaching as his profession and taught for many years at various locations throughout Dufferin and Wellington County. Throughout his career Lorne believed in a handson approach to nature and passed on a love of nature to his students. His classroom always had a “nature” theme and on more than one occasion included the hatching of mallard and pheasant eggs.

Lorne has been retired now for 25 years and is still teaching. A self-described “bit of a nature nut”, he has been a conservationist since he was a child. He is now known by another moniker - the “Bluebird Man.” The Eastern Bluebird population in Southern Ontario has been in decline for many years as urban sprawl has replaced their natural habitat. Since joining the Sydenham Sportsmen’s Club in 1983, he has spearheaded the construction of over 6,000 bluebird nesting boxes from Orangeville all the way north to Manitoulin Island. Once completed, (often from scrap lumber), the boxes have a useful life of ten years and each of the boxes is subject to annual inspection and maintenance. Lorne’s passion for nature has been infectious. Today there are over 120 volunteers involved in the annual maintenance of the boxes. Lorne, his wife Mabel, and friend, Bob, are responsible for the upkeep of 600 of the bluebird boxes by themselves! Lorne’s efforts are credited with helping to reestablish the once declining species.

Lorne has educated thousands of children and adults. He continues to speak about Bluebirds with cubs, brownies, and scouts as well as elementary schools and retirement homes. His efforts have been recognized by Sydenham Sportsmen’s Association, which has recognized him as “Adult Conservationist of the Year” on two separate occasions. Lorne’s newest project involves working with an Owen Sound school in the development of a nature trail along the east side of Owen Sound that will eventually join the Tom Thompson Trail. Lorne’s conservation legacy continues to grow.

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