Current Campaigns - Rattray Marsh Living Disovery Centre
Rattray Marsh Conservation Area will form the contemporary and unique Living Discovery Centre which provides 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.
The property itself will become a living classroom for children, general public, schools, educators, researchers, scientists and the regional environmental community. 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.
Components of the Living Discovery Centre
Trails: To facilitate the introduction of the Living Discovery Centre improvements to the existing trail systems are required. These improvements include improving the accessibility at access points; improvements to surfacing and boardwalk integrity and improvements to signage and markings.
Viewing Platforms: Viewing platforms along the trail system will provide staging areas for some of the more significant features of the Marsh and surrounding habitat. These platforms provide accessible views of the landscapes being represented, interpretive staging areas for guided tours, safe and educational rest areas, viewing access to restoration based projects and direct access into significant areas while maintaining their environmental integrity.
Interpretive Programs: Many diverse and quality interpretive programs will be provided at the Living Discovery Centre. Skilled educators and interpretive staff will provide guided hikes, presentations, children’s programs and special events focusing on the themes of the Marsh or the messages the Marsh can represent.
Learning Pavilion: A newly developed Learning Pavilion allowing for sheltered, experiential learning opportunities will be developed within the Living Discovery Centre. The Pavilion will be a place where people can gather and participate in environmentally based learning activities, be provided quality interpretive presentations, picnic, experience interactive displays and hold outdoor environmental gatherings and witness or participate in hands-on resource management based studies.
Kiosks: Interpretive/ educational kiosks, displaying information about the Living Discovery Centre’s natural, cultural and recreational features will be implemented at access points providing visitors and guided groups an introduction into the unique and multiple learning opportunities that are available.
Interpretive Panels: A series of 10-15 interpretive panels will be found within the Living Discovery Centre guiding people through a variety of educational and entertaining natural and cultural heritage themes. These interpretive panels will be designed to reach a wide audience with many different messages interpreting the environments, wildlife, history and restoration efforts found within Rattray Marsh.
Restoration Projects: Rattray Marsh is a unique natural environment that has gone through significant changes over the years from natural processes and human interaction. Restoration at Rattray Marsh focuses on the goals of understanding more about the marsh environment, implementing resource management practices to improve the overall quality, diversity and sustainability of the marsh environments and taking action to manage further environmental harm to the marsh.
The CVC Foundation is proud to support the Rattray Marsh Living Discovery Centre through funds received from the Pendle Fund at the Community Foundation of Mississauga.
How to support the Rattray Marsh Living Discovery Centre
- Donate by phone: Call 905-670-1615, ext. 247 to make a donation with your credit card.
- Donate by mail: Print and mail your donation via cheque or credit card information to: Credit Valley Conservation Foundation, 1255 Old Derry Road, Mississauga, ON. L5N 6R4
- Donate by fax: Print and fax our donation form with your credit card information to 905-670-2210
- Donate now through Canada Helps
Our Charitable Registration #: 118879048 RR0001
All donations of $10.00 or more are eligible for a charitable tax receipt.
Questions? Please call Terri LeRoux at 905-670-1615 x247 or email Terri at tleroux@creditvalleycons.com.
