Conservation Manitou Acquires 7.5 acres on Lake Manitou creating the Ann Johnson Reserve
Ivry-sur-le-Lac, March 3, 2022 – CONSERVATION MANITOU (CM) is pleased to announce that it has purchased 7.5 acres of forested land on the southern shoreline of Lake Manitou. The property was acquired from David Johnson under Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Ecological Gifts Program and the the Quebec government’s ‘Partenariat pour les milieux naturels’ project. The area will be named the Ann Johnson Reserve to honor the wishes of Mr. Johnson’s wife, Ann (née Bushell), of preserving this land in its natural state.
“We thank the Johnson family for giving us the opportunity to acquire such an ecologically sensitive and valuable property to protect biodiversity. We are also most grateful to Louise Penny for making a significant donation to Conservation Manitou allowing us to complete the purchase,” states Stephen Takacsy, Chair of CM. “This land features 576 feet of shoreline and an important stream that discharges into Lake Manitou from a vast wetland area. We thank our partners, Nature-Action Québec, Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC), the Quebec government, and our many current and new members for their financial support.”
Acknowledgements
This project was made possible thanks to Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Ecological Gifts Program, and a financial contribution of the Government of Quebec via the ‘Partenariat pour les milieux naturels’ project of the Ministère de l’Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques’.
Quotes
“It is always an inspiration to see citizens entrust their properties to conservation organizations that we work with to protect natural areas and ensure the preservation of biodiversity. Congratulations to Conservation Manitou which was able to acquire this land with the help of the ‘Partenariat pour les milieux naturels’ project.”
Benoit Charrette, minister for “Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques”, minister responsible for “Lutte contre le racisme” and minister responsible for the Laval region.
”Conservation in Quebec is a partnership between a small group of organizations working together on a very large cause! Bravo to Conservation Manitou for this accomplishment and thank you to Mr. Johnson and his family, as well as Mrs. Penny for their commitment towards preserving nature. “
Romy Bazo, Head of acquisition, management, and enhancement of natural environments for Nature-Action Québec.
About
CONSERVATION MANITOU is a registered charity and qualified recipient of Environment and Climate Change 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. It is one of the leading organizations dedicated to the preservation of natural areas in the Laurentians with nearly 1,400 acres of conservation lands under ownership located in the municipalities of Ivry-sur-le-Lac, Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts and Saint-Faustin-Lac-Carré. To learn more or donate, please visit: www.conservationmanitou.ca.
The Partenariat pour les milieu naturels project (PPMN)
The PPMN is a four-year grant of more than $53 million that the Ministère de l’Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques awarded to the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC). By establishing financial partnerships with conservation organizations in the province, it provides support for initiatives protecting natural environments of interest. In this way, the PPMN aims to develop and consolidate Quebec’s network of protected areas located on private land.
Nature Conservancy of Canada
The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is Canada’s leading private land conservation organization and a non-profit organization working to protect our most important natural environments and the species they support. Since 1962, the NCC and its partners have helped protect 14 million hectares from coast to coast, including nearly 48,000 in Quebec. For more information : natureconservation.ca
Nature-Action Québec
For thirty-five years, the non-profit Nature-Action Québec has had the mission to guide individuals and organizations in applying better environmental practices. The organization works with municipalities, businesses, community organizations and citizens to carry out concrete projects that contribute to improving Quebecers’ environment, health, well-being and quality of life.
