2026 Pam Bent Conservation Award
The Central Algoma Land Trust recently presented this year's Pam Bent Conservation Award to Kadyn Barkowsky, a Forestry Conservation Technician student at Sault College!
This annual award goes to a Sault College student in a School of Natural Environment program who demonstrates good leadership skills, good academic achievement, is a global thinker and demonstrates a passion above and beyond the program expectations. It is in memory of Pam Bent, a seasonal resident in the Desbarats area who had a passion for education and nature. Congratulations Kadyn, we wish you the best of luck in your future!
Central Algoma Land Trust’s Executive Director Carter Dorscht presenting Kadyn Barkowsky with the Pam Bent Conservation Award at the 2026 Sault College Scholarships, Bursaries and Awards Night on March 10, 2025.
We asked Kadyn to write a little bit about herself:
“Hi! My name is Kadyn Barkowsky. I’m a Forestry Conservation student at Sault College who is originally from coastal BC, on the unceded land of the Coast Salish and Musqueam people. Pam Bent taught for many years in Colorado, and having lived in Colorado myself and worked as an education assistant, I was excited to learn about her conservation legacy. Following in the footsteps of a strong conservationist like Pam continues to motivate and ignite my passion. I find there is something about experiencing nature with young students that solidifies a determination to conserve ecosystems for the next generations.
“I grew up with a large emphasis on stewarding the earth well. Before attending Sault College, I completed an undergraduate degree in Australia that emphasized the interconnectedness of all beings, and sparked a passion for conservation, as I began to spend hours researching how to live a stewardship life that is aware of what I take, and where/how it is sourced. From there, I worked in urban forestry, where I fell in love with caring for trees, and growing public green spaces that are accessible to local communities.
“The Forestry Conservation program at Sault College has given me new tools and pathways for conservation, and I am so excited to continue advocating for vulnerable beings such as species at risk and old growth forests. I am so thankful to the Central Algoma Land Trust and Pam Bent for their conservation work and for this award, and feel very honoured to share this moment with them.”
The Central Algoma Land Trust depends on the generous support of our local community to carry out our work. Please consider making a donation to help advance conservation efforts across the Central Algoma region. Your contribution will help protect the natural spaces and wildlife that make this area so special.
