March 2018
Township spring programs. . . . . . . 3 Washago Carving Show. . . . . . . . . . 8 Gives skunks their space. . . . . . . . .14 Community Events. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
‘Our’ conservancy rocks! By Ellen Cohen
with files from The Couchiching Conservancy February 9, 2018 press release
Villager readers learned this past July that The Couchiching Conservancy had the opportunity to purchase a 295 hectare (728 acre) property. Significantly, this potential acquisition included 4.4 kilometers along the Black River, one of the last wild rivers in Southern Ontario. Mark Bisset, the conservancy’s executive director explained the purchase of this land would mean protecting it from commercial or residential development. He said the tract for sale provides habitat for at risk, endangered or threatened species. It’s in an area still recovering from generations of logging, among other habitat disturbances. The challenge for the conservancy was what to most would be considered an impossibly short amount of time to raise the necessary funds to buy this property. It surely had to be one of the biggest challenges the conservancy had ever undertaken. The deadline was January 2018. The cost of the land $575,000.00. Well, never let it be said that The Couchiching Conservancy cannot rise to a challenge when a piece of land needs protecting. Fast forward to February 9th. The Couchiching Conservancy officially
The Couchiching Conservancy has recently purchased and will protect an important tract of land inside the boundaries of Queen Elizabeth II Wildlands Provincial Park which includes 4.4 kilometers of the Black River. announced the deal is done. The property is now officially under their protection. It would be easy to call this a miracle but, in my opinion, it’s not. Unless you’re referring to the miraculous work that was done by so many to make this happen in such a short time: the board of directors and other volunteers, the executive director and staff, the members and all donors. The ability to raise $575,000 so quickly has everything to do with the fine work that The Couchiching Conservancy has done for the past 25 years. They have well-earned trust and respect, and both go a long way when they needed a lot of help in a big hurry. Support came from members, local residents and businesses and government, including a major contribution from the Government of Canada through the Natural
Areas Conservation Program. The funds raised cover the price of the property, legal and appraisal costs, and a stewardship endowment fund that will ensure the organization can permanently care for the property. The ‘About Us’ tab on the conservancy website says “Our donors, volunteers and staff work together to make The Couchiching Conservancy a beacon of hope, a bastion of reason and cooperation. In an age of environmental paralysis, we get things done. That’s our brand. That’s our mission.” Volunteers, donors and staff, you have proved this statement is true. Congratulations on the purchase of this vitally important piece of land. Your community trusts you to look after it well.
Paul Cleary B.B.A.
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