To: Watershed News Media
Date: March 28, 2007
Kingston - The Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority's (CRCA) campaign to raise $1 million to buy the ecologically-sensitive Bayview Wetland has surpassed the halfway mark.
"Thanks to a $450,000 donation from the Ontario Greenlands Program (OGP), we have banked more than $700,000," says CRCA General Manager Steve Knechtel.
The Greenlands Program is an Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources-Nature Conservancy of Canada initiative to conserve Ontario's biodiversity. Greenlands provides funding to conservation partners to acquire privately held lands in key natural areas in southern Ontario.
Loyalist Township, where the land is located, has donated $150,000 to the campaign. Meanwhile the Cataraqui Conservation Foundation, the CRCA's fund-raising arm, has raised more than $100,000.
"Now is the time for anyone considering a donation to step up," says Mr. Knechtel. "We've almost achieved our goal."
The CRCA is committing to buying the wetland, but time to complete fund-raising is growing short.
"The Bayview Wetland is a whole, functioning ecosystem and it must be protected for future generations," says Mr. Knechtel. "That's why I'm hoping that anyone with an interest in conservation will donate to help us complete the campaign."
To donate, mail your cheque to the Cataraqui Conservation Foundation, 1641 Perth Road, P.O. Box 160, Glenburnie, Ontario, K0H 1S0, today.
For more information call:
Steve Knechtel, General Manager
(613) 546-4228, Ext. 239