Accomplishments
Past Achievements
Dods & McNair Memorial Forest
Located in CVC’s Island Lake Conservation Area, the Dods & McNair Memorial Forest is a sponsored reforestation of 4.5 acres adjacent to and including an old nut plantation site in the Conservation Area. Through Dods & McNair sponsorship a memorial tree is planted in memory of each loved one who is interred by the funeral home. Additional memorial trees may be donated unconditionally to the Memorial Forest by the public.
The Memorial Forest program provides an opportunity to commemorate the life of a loved one, in a special way, by planting a tree – a living memorial. Each tree in this natural forest at Island Lake Conservation Area, is planted in memory of one who has lived. A tree symbolizes strength, shelter, durability and is a symbol of hope. The forest provides a source of comfort and meaning to those who have suffered a loss and helps to ease them through a difficult time. As one life ends, a new life begins.
Elora Cataract Trailway
The Elora Cataract Trailway was originally the route of the Credit Valley Railway. The main line was constructed in 1879 between Toronto and Orangeville, and the branch line from Cataract to Elora was built at the same time.
In 1883, the Credit Valley Railway was incorporated into the Ontario and Quebec Railway, and the following year it was leased to the Canadian Pacific Railway. It operated as the CPR's Elora subdivision until 1988, when it was abandoned.
The Grand River and Credit Valley Conservation Authorities acquired the right-of-way in 1993. A community group, the Elora Cataract Trailway Association, has been working with the two conservation authorities to bring the project to fruition. The goal is to create a greenway or linear park through which people can explore their environment in different ways while, at the same time, encouraging the protection of natural and cultural heritage values.
The CVC Foundation raises funds to be spent in maintaining and improving the railway and its amenities through the Hillsburgh-Erin section of the trail.
Island Lake Fishing Derby
Credit Valley Conservation celebrates Winter in the Headwaters by hosting an Annual Ice Fishing Derby during the month of February.
Started as a community service event for those in the immediate area, this popular fishing derby has grown to include participants from all areas of our watershed. All funds raised through this derby are used for the protection of and improvements in Island Lake Conservation Area.
Glassford Nature Trail & Butterfly Garden
Located in Mississauga, the Glassford trail provides educational and recreational opportunities in an urban environment. Through CVC stewardship, plantings and restoration using native species, the Glassford Trail offers observation of natural ecosystems and wetland communities along a series of walking trails along the banks of the Credit River.
Stewardship On The Go Trailers
The Stewardship On The Go Trailers are used by CVC throughout the watershed in CVC’s work with various community volunteers and environmental groups. These highly-visible, mobile trailers are retrofitted to CVC specifications and equipped with tools and safety equipment necessary for such diverse projects as tree plantings, trail maintenance and improvement, stream rehabilitation and fish habitat improvement.
Vicki Barron Lakeside Trail
Phase One of the Vicki Barron Trail at Island Lake Conservation Area opened on September 14th, 2001 and consists of the completion of the first 2.5 kilometers of new trail to a shared-use standard that accommodates walkers, cyclists, cross-country skiers and the physically challenged.
The trail construction consists of raised screened pathways tracing part of the south shore of Island Lake, including the design and construction of an introductory kiosk, installation of a rowing deck, parking lot improvements and shoreline rehabilitation. The shoreline rehabilitation improved fish, flora and fauna habitat in this section of Island Lake and controlled runoff and sediment pollution of the lake itself.
Phase Two of the project enabled us to install signage and build and maintain three permanent boardwalks and two viewing platforms over environmentally sensitive and exquisitely beautiful areas of Island Lake.
The Vicki Barron Trail was funded through a combination of grants and municipal, corporate and private donations.
Scholarship Awards
The CVC Foundation has been offering educational bursaries to students entering post secondary education at the University of Guelph, the University of Toronto and the University of Waterloo in the fields of Geography and Environmental Studies.
