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| About the Credit Valley Conservation Foundation | ||
| Foundation Board Members | ||
| Blazing new trail in 2006 | ||
| Conservation Gala underway | ||
| Make a Donation | ||
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Blazing new trails, creating woodland habitats, naturalizing urban areas and providing environmental education are just some of the initiatives funded by the Credit Valley Conservation Foundation. The Foundation is a group of environmentally committed prominent individuals dedicated to raising funds and awareness to support an environmentally healthy watershed for economically and socially sustainable communities. The Foundation board is comprised of public and private sector volunteers from watershed municipalities and communities. The projects that the Foundation supports offer a tangible benefit to residents in communities throughout the watershed. Did you know? Our watershed has only half of the wetlands and forest cover determined by the Federal Government to be sufficient for ecosystem health. There are 8 endangered, 9 threatened and 16 species of special concern. Ecosystems are threatened by agriculture, urbanization, mining and water taking. There are local water shortages in portions of the watershed; pollution in many reaches-; and insufficient plants in riparian zones. The watershed is struggling to control sediment influx from improper development practices. To fulfill our ultimate objective of ecosystem protection the CVC Foundation focuses on four specific areas of need; Environmental Education, Public Awareness and Training Fund Our belief is that protection stems from education. Our goal is to introduce a comprehensive education programme within the CVC. Our education efforts will provide hands-on educational workshops, seminars and experiences that will build knowledge and provide the inspiration to change. The CVC Foundation additionally offers educational bursaries to students entering post secondary education at the University of Guelph and the University of Toronto in the fields of Geography and Environmental Studies. Our goal is to protect the Credit River 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. Our goal is to meet the recommendation of the CVC Greenlands Securement Strategy that at a minimum, over the next twenty years, 5,670 hectares of greenlands within the Credit River Watershed be secured by CVC and it’s partners, as these lands will contribute to the foundation of a connected system that will provide natural heritage protection, appreciation and recreational benefits for healthy ecosystems and healthy communities. CVC’s efforts are focused on improving water quality, enhancing fish habitats and supporting healthy aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems in the Credit River watershed. CVC supports sound environmental practices and restoration of the river and lands around it. We provide technical assistance to private, public and corporate landowners, community groups and individual residents on practices that will enhance, restore or protect their properties. Current projects include the Dods & McNair Memorial Forest at Island Lake Conservation Area; the designation of three new sites on CVC properties for future Memorial Forests; and the Levi Creek Rehabilitation Project. One of the best ways to explore the natural environment is by trail. Trails and the communities they connect to offer excellent opportunities for recreation and nature appreciation, all of which underpin our efforts to secure a healthy, sustainable community for future generations. The CVC Foundation actively supports the development of trails along and within the Credit River Watershed. Our dream is a multi-use trail through the Credit River Valley from Orangeville to Port Credit. Current projects include the Island Lake Community Trails Project, which will see the completion of a perimeter lake trail connecting local communities; interpretive signage at the Glassford trail; The Island Lake Annual Fall Festival and the Island Lake Annual Ice Fishing Derby and Winter Carnival. |
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Marolyn Morrison (Chair) Rae Horst (Secretary/Treasurer) Leslie Adams Sue Grange Pat Mullin Ward Pitfield Dr. John Richardson Bob Shirley |
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The CVC Foundation is embarking on a new and exciting project for 2006. The Island Lake Community Trails & Greenways Project will provide enhanced tourism, recreation and educational experiences to headwater and Island Lake Conservation Area visitors and residents. The project will involve the completion of a perimeter lake trail, with side trail linkages into surrounding communities. The end result will be a dynamic network of trails connecting Island Lake, Orangeville and Mono.
Our Success to Date Named in honour of Vicki Barron, an acknowledged leader in conservation and former general manager of Credit Valley Conservation, includes the completion of 2.5 kilometers of shared-use, accessible trail on the south shore of Island Lake. In addition to the construction of the raised screen pathway, trail amenities include information kiosks, viewing platforms, interpretive signage, donor recognition signs and permanent boardwalks over environmentally sensitive wetlands. Our Continued Vision When totally completed, the Vicki Barron Trail will consist of a shared use, handicapped accessible, walkway around the perimeter of the lake that will link with trail networks that are either planned or existing in Orangeville, Caledon and Mono. To assist with meeting our fundraising goals, the Friends of Island Lake were formed in 2005 as a fundraising committee under the Credit Valley Conservation Foundation to enhance community involvement and awareness of the project. The Friends of Island Lake members are volunteers dedicated to enhancing the educational, interpretive, and recreational programs at Island Lake Conservation Area. This is accomplished through active participation in and commitment to raising funds through private, corporate and community donations. To get involved, learn more or make a donation towards this project please contact Terri LeRoux, Campaign Manager at 905-670-1615 x247 |
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Keep your calendars open in June, and come out and join Credit Valley Conservation Foundation, Conservation Halton and Trout Unlimited for the 1st Annual Conservation Gala. The night will include dinner and a silent auction and guests can look forward to prizes, draws and awards. More details will be posted at http://www.creditvalleycons.com in the upcoming weeks. |
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If you would like to make a donation to the Credit Valley Conservation Foundation, please refer to the contact information below for more information, or fill out the following form and send to: Terri LeRoux |
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