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