Rattray Marsh Living Discovery Centre Grant Announced

A haven for environmental protection, exploration and education.

A broad range of community based programs and services got a welcome boost as the Community Foundation of Mississauga made its first grants from endowed funds at the Foundation’s Annual General Meeting held May 31, 2006.

Included in the announcement was a grant from the Pendle Fund, a donor advised fund at the Community Foundation of Mississauga, of $95,000 to the Credit Valley Conservation Foundation to implement a Living Discovery Centre at Rattray Marsh.

A Living Discovery Centre is an experience itself; providing hands-on experiential learning opportunities to its visitors. It lets people see first hand the interactions within the natural world and with human influence. This is where children, families, schools, researchers and the general public can walk trails that interpret the profound natural beauty surrounding them. This is where examples of global environmental themes are represented by educators and the environments before you. This is where experimental and scientifically driven restoration efforts can help sustain the environments appreciated. They are living classrooms, where children can appreciate the natural environments before them and interact with the environments themselves.

Rattray Marsh Conservation Area will form the contemporary and unique Living Discovery Centre which will provide a high quality experiential learning environment where residents and visitors can explore the natural environments of the Conservation Area and learn about them and others through hands-on and interactive opportunities. Infrastructure and programming throughout the property will provide all groups and individuals with opportunities to learn from the environments of Rattray Marsh and the themes they represent.

Inaugural Conservation Gala a Huge Success!

On Thursday, June 22, 2006 nearly 400 environmentalists, company representatives, community members, politicians and others attended the Inaugural Conservation Gala hosted by Credit Valley Conservation Foundation, Conservation Halton Foundation and Trout Unlimited Canada.

The dinner and auction event at the Oakville Conference Centre was held in support of our collective efforts to protect natural lands and waterways and provide environmental education opportunities in Halton and Peel.

Many thanks to our guest auctioneers, Mayor Marolyn Morrison, Town of Caledon; Mayor Hazel McCallion, City of Mississauga; Mayor Gord Krantz, Milton; and Emil Kolb, Regional Chair of Peel Region who were both entertaining and inspiring.

Grant Received from Town of Caledon

On April 18th, 2006 the Town of Caledon generously supported the Credit Valley Conservation Foundation, Greenlands Securement Fund with a generous grant of $5,000.00.

The goal of the Greenlands Securement Fund is to protect the Credit River’s watershed’s significant and representative terrestrial, aquatic and groundwater ecosystems by securing greenlands, through donation, conservation easement, management agreement or fee-simple purchase – at the same time offering opportunities for natural heritage appreciation, and compatible recreational activities for residents and visitors.

The grant by the Town of Caledon was made possible through the proceeds of their Annual Councillor’s Golf Tournament.

Grant Received from Raymond Edward Foundation

In memory of Remo E. Bandiera, resident of Inglewood, On. The Raymond Edward Foundation has chosen to make a one-time donation to the Credit Valley Conservation Foundation of $10,000.00. The funds will be used to support our Green Journeys Campaign, and our ultimate goal of eco-system protection.

The CVC Foundation sincerely thanks the Raymond Edward Foundation in helping us secure a sustainable environment for our future.

Friends of Island Lake Gearing up for Campaign Launch

The Friends of Island Lake was established in 2005 as a volunteer fundraising committee under the Credit Valley Conservation Foundation to enhance community involvement and awareness of the Island Lake Trails & Greenways Project.

The vision of the Island Lake Trails & Greenways Project is the development of a walking and cycling trail around the perimeter of Island Lake that will link with trail networks that are planned or existing in Orangeville, Caledon & Mono.

Founding members of the Friends of Island Lake are Bob Burnside, Terry Carter, Don Cullen, Marc Darby, Doc Gillies, Dr. Warren Hilliard, Laura Ryan, Bob Shirley and Brenda Teeter.

The official campaign launch is scheduled for Fall 2006 and will be followed by a series of special events and initiatives. Full details will be available soon!

For more information on the trails project or on how to get involved with the Friends of Island Lake please call 905-670-1615 or email foundation@creditvalleycons.com.