NEWS RELEASE
COUCHICHING CONSERVANCY
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More than 70 people attended a unique event to officially dedicate the Ron Reid Nature Reserve on the Black River, Sunday.
The 730-acre property was acquired by The Couchiching Conservancy following a short, but intense campaign to raise the $575,000 required to protect this important parcel which is located inside Queen Elizabeth II Wildlands Provincial Park, east of Washago.
The property, referred to as the Black River Wildlands during the campaign, was named to honour the lifetime achievements of Ron Reid, one of the founders of The Couchiching Conservancy, its first president and its first executive director.
"Throughout my career, with its various twists and turns, I have often been lucky to work with, and learn from, great people. But none more so than the Couchiching Conservancy crew," Reid said after unveiling the new sign for the property. "I admire all of you for your talent, your dedication, and your enthusiasm."
The campaign was anchored by more than 200 individual donors, including major contributions from Joan and John Rosebush, Doug and Barbara Christie, Rosemary and John Dunsmore, Bob and Wendy Sullivan and Gord and Jane Ball.
This community response was matched by a major contribution from the Government of Canada through the Natural Areas Conservation Program (NACP), along with substantial support from The Gosling Foundation, The Echo Foundation and the Schad Foundation.
The NACP is a unique public-private partnership to conserve land across southern Canada. The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) manages the program. Federal funds are matched by contributions raised by NCC and its partners. Habitat conserved under the NACP enhances natural corridors and other protected areas.
The Ron Reid Nature Reserve provides habitat for several species listed by SARA (Species at Risk Act) including: Blanding’s turtle, snapping turtle, eastern hog-nosed snake. In addition it is home to Ontario’s only lizard, the five-lined skink, and numerous at-risk bird species.
The Couchiching Conservancy is one of the leading regional land trusts in Ontario. A non-government, charitable organization, it has helped protect more than 13,000 acres of important natural habitat in the Lake Couchiching region since 1993. Wherever possible, the lands are accessible to the public for the responsible enjoyment of nature. For more information on the conservancy, go to www.couchichingconserv.ca
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