Dear members and friends,
2020 was a year when we could all truly appreciate having vast natural outdoor spaces to escape to while health risks and government-imposed lockdowns greatly impacted our daily lives. Despite the challenges, Conservation Manitou closed the purchase of 3 acres of land which expanded our Hanging Rock-Barker Lake Reserve to 51 acres. We also ramped-up our fundraising efforts as several key land acquisition opportunities arose. Last fall we signed a promise to purchase 55 acres of land adjacent to 79 acres we already own south-east of Lake Manitou, which successfully closed in March 2021. This 134-acre area will be named Manitou Valley Reserve, and we plan on applying to the Quebec government for Natural Reserve status in order to further protect it in perpetuity.
Thanks to the generosity of our existing membership, and donations from many new members, we raised nearly $170,000 during 2020. Of this amount, we added $30,000 to our Stewardship Fund which totaled $200,000 at year end. Fixed income from investments made in the fund now covers over half of our annual operating costs which are mainly comprised of municipal and school taxes, audit fees, and insurance. Our goal is to reach an income level for which all of our annual costs are covered. As we acquire more land, this revenue stream needs to rise as well. Our goal is now to reach $300,000 in endowment funds with your help.
Since its founding in 2013, Conservation Manitou has become one of the most important players in Quebec’s conservation scene. Accomplishments include having 1,387 acres of eco-sensitive land under our protection around Lake Manitou , spearheading the establishment of the Ivry Wildlife Crossing, the first such crossing in the Laurentians, and rallying other like-minded organizations into creating an important wildlife corridor in the Lake Manitou region to ensure ecological connectivity with other protected areas. Depending on the circumstances, we hope to be able to host our 8th Annual Members Meeting in-person some time this summer at a time and place to be determined.
We welcome you to please download Conservation Manitou - 2020 Annual Report.