Stewart (Stew) Hilts

Education

B.A. Western
M.A., Ph.D. University of Toronto

Research

My own research and extension work over the past 35 years has involved developing programs to encourage private landowners in rural southern Ontario to conserve natural areas such as woodlands and wetlands on their land. This work has evolved from an original landowner contact model to the examination of concepts of private 'stewardship'.

Today my continuing work involves writing resources for landowners and others engaged in stewardship programs.  I try to interpret the science into terms the average landowner can actually use, or that help the public understand the natural landscape more easily.  them across Canada, such as land trusts.

In recent years I did research on farmland preservation policies and local food systems in southern Ontario, working with Prof. Wayne Caldwell.  This led to establishing the Ontario Farmland Trust, a non-profit organization devoted to fostering farmland preservation, of which I am still Chair.  It is based here at the UofG.

I'm now also working with the Bruce Trail Conservancy, helping coordinate their land stewardship work in the Beaver Valley region.

Publications

(Career Books Only):

    * Hilts, S. and Mitchell, P. (2009). The Woodlot Management Handbook. 2nd Edition. Toronto: Firefly. (301 pp)
    * Caldwell, W., Hilts, S. and Wilton, B. (Eds.), (2007). Farmland Preservation: Land For Future Generations. Guelph: Centre for Land and Water Stewardship, University of Guelph. (416 pp).
    * Hilts, S and Reid, R. 1993. Creative Conservation: A Handbook for Ontario Land Trusts. Toronto: Ontario Nature.
    * Hilts, s., Reid, R. and Kirk, M. 1986. Islands of Green: Natural Heritage Protection in Ontario. Toronto: Ontario Heritage Foundation.

Awards

Distinguished Extension Professor, OAC.

Teaching Award, North American College of Teachers of Agriculture.

Carolinian Canada Lifetime Achievement Award, 2010.

Latornell Conservation Pioneer Award, 2010.

University of Guelph Medal of Merit, 2011.