To: Watershed News Media

August 22, 2006

Kingston - Frontenac and the Islands Member of Parliament Peter Milliken will be one of the guests of honour at the official opening of the Lemoine Point Native Plant Nursery on Thursday, Sept. 7 at 2:30 p.m.

"This is an excellent example of what can be accomplished by volunteers and community partnerships," says General Manager Steve Knechtel of the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority (CRCA). "It is also good science since local, native plant materials are best suited to local growing conditions."

Lemoine Point Conservation Area is owned by the CRCA.

The nursery was established by a dozen volunteers who belong to the Friends of Lemoine Point. Last year, these volunteers donated an estimated 2,200 hours of labour. Fund-raising and services valued at $37,000 have been invested over several years.

At seasonally appropriate times, volunteers harvest nuts and seeds at Lemoine Point. These are propagated and eventually replanted in reforestation projects at Lemoine Point and local stewardship sites by partner organizations, Knechtel says.

The event takes place just inside the property's north entrance off Coverdale Drive.

For more information call:

Michael Sykes, Communications & Marketing Assistant (613) 546-4228 ext. 243