Mike Nemesvary

Mike Nemesvary has had a lasting impact on our community by helping the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority rethink true access to nature. Through his leadership with the local Nature For All Committee, he challenged us to recognize that people with disabilities have been excluded from many outdoor spaces for too long, often by barriers that thoughtful planning can remove. His vision helped inspire more than $1,000,000 in support for accessibility improvements at Baxter Conservation Area, including trails, boardwalks, bridges and facilities designed to welcome people of all ages and abilities. Just as importantly, Mike’s influence has changed how we work. Staff now consider accessibility from the start of new projects, and his example is helping shape similar efforts at Chapman Mills and Foley Mountain. Mike has shown that small shifts in thinking can create meaningful, lasting change.

Nominated by: Rideau Valley Conservation Foundation