To: Watershed News Media
Date: February 8, 2007
Amherstview -- The Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority (CRCA) today announced plans to raise $1 million by March 31 to buy Bayview Wetland, north of Amherstview.
"The ecological significance of this wetland has been recognized since the 1930s," says CRCA Vice Chair Ric Bresee. "We will buy 700 acres with help from our fund-raising arm, the Cataraqui Conservation Foundation, and our community partners including Loyalist Township."
Loyalist Reeve Clayton McEwen says he not only supports public ownership by the CRCA, his council has pledged $150,000 or 15 per cent of the asking price.
"Loyalist Township recognizes the special quality and ecological importance of the Bayview Wetland and the need to protect it from encroaching development," he says. "We are pleased to support the Conservation Authority's efforts to acquire the property for preservation purposes. Our council aggressively pursues economic development, but always remembers that this must be balanced with the need for a healthy natural environment."
Bayview Wetland is a regionally significant Area of Natural and Scientific Interest (ANSI) and a Provincially Significant Wetland. It is home to 379 species of vascular plants, 21 species are significant, plus numerous bird and animal species, some endangered.
Public ownership by the CRCA will allow for consistent conservation management says Conservation Authority General Manager Steve Knechtel.
"We want to manage the property for its ecological attributes, of which there are many," he explains. "There is the potential for scientific research that relates to the fen which is somewhat unique."
Noted botanist, Dr. Adele Crowder of the Queen's University biology department, concurs that CRCA acquisition of the property is beneficial for science.
"As you know I have been urging for years that this interesting area should be protected from development," Dr. Crowder says in a letter to the CRCA. "There will now be a great opportunity for continuing research here, particularly for botanists and invertebrate specialists."
The integrity of a large property parcel enables the area to be studied and understood as a whole, functioning ecosystem.
The property is owned by the estate of the late Judge William Henderson and was assembled into this parcel thanks to his foresight.
"This area would not be so excellent now were it not for the stewardship of generations of private owners," says Dr. Crowder paying tribute to the former owner.
Judge Henderson was a second world war veteran. He started a legal practice in Kingston in 1946; served as Member of Parliament for Kingston and the Islands from 1949-1958 then was named a justice of the Supreme Court of Ontario in 1965.
CRCA General Manager Knechtel notes this acquisition maintains an ecological linkage between adjacent holdings at Parrott's Bay Conservation Area, Lemoine Point Conservation Area and the Collins Creek corridor.
The million-dollar asking price is based on an appraisal concurrent with CRCA property acquisition policy.
"The Conservation Authority buys properties based on appraised value and we do have an appraisal that indicates this is a fair value," says Mr. Knechtel.
After the Conservation Authority buys the property, it will create a master plan governing how the property is managed and operated for 20 years. The plan is expected to direct managing the property as a nature reserve primarily for scientific research. However, some trails will be open for public recreation.
For more information call:
Steve Knechtel
General Manager/Secretary-Treasurer, CRCA (613) 546-4228 ext. 239