CONSERVATION MANITOU: To Acquire 216 acres of Forest

October 22, 2014 (Ivry-sur-le-Lac, Quebec) – CONSERVATION MANITOU is pleased to announce that it will be acquiring 216 acres of forested land on the north side and on the southwestern shore of Lake Manitou, and on Horseshoe Lake, by way of donations under Environment Canada’s Ecological Gifts Program. The various properties being acquired include prominent hilltops and ridges, wetlands and streams feeding into both lakes, as well as nearly 2,500 feet of boggy waterfront on Horseshoe Lake and over 1,000 feet of steep shoreline on Lake Manitou. “We are very fortunate to be able to protect some key ecologically sensitive parcels of land which are vital to the area’s ecosystem, one of which acts as an important water source and filtration system for Horseshoe Lake. It is essential to protect this small and vulnerable lake’s shorelines as it is the largest body of water flowing into Lake Manitou” states Stephen Takacsy, Chair of CONSERVATION MANITOU. One of the properties also features a section of the historic Laurentian ski trail, which will also be preserved. “We are honored and extremely grateful to Shirley Stikeman and David McCall who, like their father Alan, are great defenders of the environment, as well as Tony Dobell and David Culver, for entrusting the preservation of these lands to Conservation Manitou which will benefit our community for generations to come.”

To date CONSERVATION MANITOU has received monetary donations and pledges totalling over $1.6 million from 120 members, enabling it to acquire almost 300 acres of forest and 1.3 miles of lakefront. “We could not have accomplished this without the generosity and strong values shared by our community towards the protection of our natural environment, as well as the support of the municipality of Ivry-sur-le-Lac. However, we need to continue raising funds to cover acquisition costs and ongoing stewardship expenses” emphasizes Stephen Takacsy. “Conservation is an investment in our future, and preserving natural capital protects the health of our ecosystems as well as contributes to the long term wealth of our communities.”

CONSERVATION MANITOU is one the leading organizations dedicated to the preservation of natural areas in the Laurentians. It is a registered charity and a qualified recipient of Environment Canada’s Ecological Gifts Program. Its mission is to preserve and protect the ecosystem and natural environment of Lake Manitou and its surroundings, by acquiring land and conservation easements, either donated or purchased, and providing stewardship in perpetuity.

To donate please make your cheque payable to CONSERVATION MANITOU and mail to:

1800 McGill College, suite 2102, Montreal, Quebec H3A 3J6

Registered Charity No.:  831460936RR0001

                                                             www.conservationmanitou.ca

CONSERVATION MANITOU: Acquires Adams Properties

CONSERVATION MANITOU acquires Adams properties

 Elects 3 new members to its Board of Directors

July 29, 2014 (Ivry-sur-le-Lac, Quebec) – CONSERVATION MANITOU is pleased to announce its second purchase of land on the north shore of Townsend Bay, situated on the east side of Lake Manitou. The latest acquisition comprises several properties totalling approximately 47 acres which form part of a steep forested mountain ridge and includes over 1,000 feet of lakefront. Part of the purchase includes parcels acquired from Doreen Adams under Environment Canada’s Ecological Gifts Program. An ecological assessment, performed by biologists from Nature Action Quebec, confirmed the presence of old growth forest and rated the land as having very high conservation value. CONSERVATION MANITOU now owns approximately 80-acres of forest and nearly 3,200 feet of shoreline. This area forms part of the Townsend Nature Preserve, newly named in honor of Samuel Baillairgé Townsend (1861-1937) who purchased these lands in 1906. Samuel Townsend’s six great-grandchildren: Stephen Adams, Jorie Adams, Catherine Campbell McLean, Willa Campbell, Stewart Campbell, and Alexandra (Sandy) Adams have been instrumental in supporting the creation of the Townsend Nature Preserve.

CONSERVATION MANITOU held its first annual members’ meeting on May 17, 2014 and is pleased to announce the election of three new directors to its board: Michael Prupas, Matthew Stotland and Joseph Graham. They join founding directors Stephen Takacsy, Kim Holden and David McAusland. CONSERVATION MANITOU now has over 100 members who have made donations or pledges totalling nearly $1.6 million. “Thanks to our donors, we have been able to accomplish much in a very short period of time making our first two significant purchases of ecologically sensitive land, but our task has only just begun. We are now working with several other families in order to preserve hundreds of acres of forested mountains and wetlands in the area. We continue our fundraising efforts to help pay for acquisitions and cover ongoing stewardship costs.” states Stephen Takacsy, Chair of CONSERVATION MANITOU. “Conservation is an investment in our future, and preserving the natural capital of a region not only helps to protect the health of its ecosystem but contributes to the ultimate wealth of its communities.”

CONSERVATION MANITOU is one the largest organizations dedicated to the preservation of natural areas in the Laurentians. It is a registered charity and accredited by Environment Canada under the Ecological Gifts Program. Its mission is to preserve and protect the ecosystem and natural environment of Lake Manitou and its surroundings, by acquiring land and conservation easements, either donated or purchased, and providing stewardship services in perpetuity.

You can download a PDF of the press release here.

To donate please make a cheque payable to CONSERVATION MANITOU and mail to:

1800 McGill College, suite 2102, Montreal, Quebec H3A 3J6

www.conservationmanitou.ca

Registered Charity No.:  831460936RR0001

Conservation Manitou: Acquires Campbell Property

CONSERVATION MANITOU acquires 33 acres of old growth forestAnnounces the creation of the Townsend Nature Preserve

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October 2, 2013 (Ivry-sur-le-Lac, Quebec) – CONSERVATION MANITOU is pleased to announce that it has acquired its first property on the north shore of Townsend Bay, situated on the east side of Lake Manitou. The 33-acre parcel purchased is part of a mountain ridge containing old growth forest and includes 2,155 feet of lakefront. CONSERVATION MANITOU also plans to acquire an adjacent 52-acre property under Environment Canada’s Ecological Gift Program. Along with a third parcel to be donated, the 3 properties combined will represent nearly 100 acres of forested mountain and one kilometer of shoreline. CONSERVATION MANITOU mandated Nature Action Quebec to perform an ecological assessment, which confirms the presence of old growth forest and the very high conservation value of these properties.

The area will be named Townsend Nature Preserve in honor of Samuel Baillargé Townsend (1861-1937) who purchased these lands in 1906 to contribute to the well-being of his family and the community. Samuel B. Townsend also hosted the Lake Manitou Regatta from 1922 to 1934, as a way of enriching community life in this then remote region of the Laurentians. Samuel B. Townsend’s six great-grandchildren: Stephen Adams, Jorie Adams, Catherine Campbell McLean, Willa Campbell, Stewart Campbell, and Alexandra (Sandy) Adams have been instrumental in supporting the creation of the Townsend Nature Preserve, a fitting tribute to Samuel B. Townsend and the values shared by him and his descendants.

In order to fund the above acquisitions as well as build an endowment, CONSERVATION MANITOU has received donation pledges totalling approximately $1.5 million from over 70 households. Its fundraising target is to reach $1.7 million by year end 2013. “We are thrilled with the broad level of participation we are receiving from our community in helping to preserve ecologically sensitive areas in the region.” states Stephen Takacsy, Chair of CONSERVATION MANITOU. “Our donors understand that environmental issues affect everyone and that protecting such areas is vitally important to the health of the lake and its entire watershed. We hope this forward thinking sets an example for other communities in the Laurentians to follow.”

CONSERVATION MANITOU is one the largest organizations dedicated to the preservation of natural areas in the Laurentians. It is a registered charity and accredited by Environment Canada under the Ecological Gifts Program. Its mission is to preserve and protect the ecosystem and natural environment of Lake Manitou and its surroundings, by acquiring land and conservation easements, either donated or purchased, and providing stewardship services in perpetuity.

To donate please make a cheque payable to CONSERVATION MANITOU and mail to: 1800 McGill College Avenue, suite 2102, Montreal, Quebec H3A 3J6

www.conservationmanitou.ca