2025 FUNDRAISING GALA FOR CONSERVATION HALTON

An evening to raise funds for the blue spaces that sustain, inspire and connect us

THANK YOU

Thank you to all our guests for joining us for an incredible evening that celebrated our vital blue spaces. Your support allowed us to raise over $301,000 for projects that connect people with nature through learning and recreation at our parks. Your dedication and generous contributions will enable us to carry out initiatives that will benefit our communities for years to come.

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Water is essential to life, and it flows in abundance across our region. From the upper reaches of the Niagara Escarpment to the shores of Lake Ontario, freshwater systems have shaped the lands that we conserve and steward in our watershed. These blue spaces are an integral part of Conservation Halton’s “greenprint”, supporting local biodiversity and giving our communities access to the planet’s most precious natural resource — to sustain, connect and inspire.

On June 12, 2025, the Conservation Halton Foundation hosted its seventh annual fundraising gala at Area 8 Conservation Area. The Blue Gala invited our supporters to come together to celebrate 50 years of the Conservation Halton Foundation and raise funds for the blue spaces that contribute to healthy watersheds — and that connect people with nature through learning and recreation at our parks.

THE EVENT

JUNE 12 | AREA 8, MILTON | 6 P.M.

The Blue Gala invited guests to immerse themselves in an outdoor experience at Area 8 Conservation Area. Surrounded by natural beauty at this scenic Conservation Halton park, guests enjoyed refreshing cocktails, a distinctive menu that showcased the finest and freshest ingredients, and live musical performances by talented musicians. The event also featured a 50/50 raffle and silent auction!

A collage of photos from the 2025 Blue Gala

View our 2025 Blue Gala photo gallery

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

MARK ROBINSON

Mark Robinson is a Canadian adventurer, storm chaser and meteorologist. Named as one of Canada’s Top 100 Explorers by Canadian Geographic, Mark’s chased (and been chased) by tornadoes across the Great Plains of the United States and Canada. Mark has been intercepting hurricanes since 2005, and has documented many major storms including Katrina, Ike, and Sandy. He's also chased innumerable ice storms, blizzards, and snowstorms.

Mark’s adventurous spirit has taken him around the globe. He has witnessed avalanches, experienced -110 degrees Celsius temperatures and jumped into both the Arctic and Southern (Antarctica) Oceans. When he's not seeking out intense adventures, Mark is a meteorologist and on-air personality at The Weather Network and hosts the shows StormHunters and Unearthed.

EMCEE

VICTORIA FENN ALVARADO

Victoria Fenn Alvarado is a versatile industry professional with a focus on storytelling and broadcasting. As a Video Journalist and Weekend Morning Show Host at The Weather Network, she delivers captivating national weather forecasts seen across Canada.

Being half Costa Rican by heritage, it’s no surprise that Victoria isn’t the biggest fan of cold weather—despite frequently volunteering to report during active conditions. Whether she’s braving a blizzard, thunderstorm, or embarking on a conservation adventure across the GTA, Victoria is always ready to go where the story takes her.

A passionate entertainer, Victoria also thrives off-camera as a stand-up comedian, performing at renowned venues like Second City and throughout Toronto's vibrant comedy scene. Follow Victoria on social media: @VictoriaFennAlvarado

MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT

RED SHOOZ

Red Shooz is Tim Pike, a multi-instrumentalist known for his signature red converse shoes and his expertly crafted original music and wide variety of classic songs. Red Shooz switches from piano to guitar, includes a touch of harmonica and is a gifted bandleader when joined by his musical friends from the Mississauga area. His original songs represent his lifelong musical influences, and his shows intermingle stories sharing his inspiration, and tales from over five decades of musical experience.

A versatile entertainer, Red Shooz performs listening-style concerts, corporate parties, weddings, special events, bars and pubs either as a soloist or along with a five-piece band.

STRINGING HIM ALONG

Emily Misura (Stringing Him Along) has been performing professionally for almost twenty years. Though she obtained a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance, she has extensive experience playing non-classical repertoire with bands, DJs, singer songwriters and rappers. Significant artists with whom she has worked include The Who, The Eagles, Weird Al Yankovic, ELO, Michael Bolton and Machine Gun Kelly. Before relocating to Toronto, Emily regularly performed with Mannheim Steamroller at Universal Orlando, and had done various soundtrack concerts including The Game of Thrones live concert experience, Pokémon: Symphonic Revolutions and The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddess.

Since moving to Toronto, she played for the Blue Jays home opener (2023), the Raptors home opener (2022), and has even been in a Drake music video (“Falling Back”). She also performs with local orchestras such as the Ontario Philharmonic, Cathedral Bluffs Symphony Orchestra and the North York Concert. She has performed internationally at venues in Nassau, Paris, Berlin, and Amsterdam, as well as toured throughout the United States. When she isn’t wheels up or recording, Emily enjoys calling Toronto her home.