2021 was another busy year for Conservation Manitou. We purchased 55 acres of land directly adjacent to 79 acres we already own south-east of Lake Manitou. This 134-acre area will be named Manitou Valley Reserve, for which we are applying to the Quebec government for Private Nature Reserve status. We also received a 3.5-acre land donation from John and Marie Tremble next to our Hague property. Subsequent to year-end, we acquired 7.5 acres on the south side of Lake Manitou, featuring 576 feet of shoreline and a stream which discharges into the lake from a vast wetland area. This valuable parcel was purchased from David Johnson in the context of Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Ecological Gifts Program, and will be named the Ann Johnson Reserve in memory of his wife Ann (née Bushell) who wished this land to be preserved. We also signed a promise to purchase 172 acres of land north of Lake Manitou featuring a section of the historic Maple Leaf (Nantel) ski trail, for which we are currently raising funds.
2021 was also a record year for fundraising and government grants. Despite the strong inflow of donations from new and current members, we decided to increase the Stewardship Fund by only $23,800 to $223,800, preferring to keep surplus funds for future land acquisitions. Pandemic travel restrictions and low interest rates have caused demand and property prices to rise, and has created more competition from developers. However, we remain disciplined in deploying the funds that have been entrusted to us. Meanwhile, our annual operating costs remain well under control. With nearly 1,400 acres of land under its protection, we can all be proud that Conservation Manitou has become one of the most important players in Quebec’s conservation scene.
We welcome you to please download Conservation Manitou - 2021 Annual Report.