Dear members, friends, and partners,
2025 was another active year. We received a significant ecological gift of 242 acres of back-lands bequeathed by the late Sheila McCall, including landmarks like Arthur’s Seat and Reid Lake. These lands are adjacent to our Lac de la Loutre Reserve (aka Atwater Lake Reserve), forming a large contiguous protected area of over 500 acres just south of Lake Manitou. We also received an eco-gift from Pierre Flageole, a former trustee of the Barbara Richardson Wildlife Foundation. While small, this 2-acre lot is of strategic importance, located next to the entrance of the Barbara Richardson Reserve. Finally, we signed a promise to purchase 87 acres for $475,000 from Gilles Labelle, which closed subsequent to year-end, bringing our total land holdings to over 2,300 acres. Federal and Provincial grants funded 73% of the Labelle purchase price and related costs, while donations from new and current members covered the balance.
Donations and grants declined in 2025, as 2024 benefitted from large government grants for the purchase of the Drummond property. We still saw a big increase in new members thanks to a successful capital campaign. Annual operating costs rose marginally, due mainly to higher municipal taxes. Over 80% of operating costs were covered by investment income generated by the Stewardship Fund, to which capital was added and totaled $665,000 at year-end.
We finished 2025 with another healthy working capital surplus and are actively working on several large eco-gifts while evaluating additional land purchases. Our 13th Annual General Meeting will be held on June 27 at 2pm at the Ivry-sur-le-Lac townhall, where we look forward to welcoming our members once again.
We welcome you to please download Conservation Manitou - 2025 Annual Report.