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
Registered Charity No.: 831460936RR0001