Notice to residents of Desbarats and the North Shore

NEWS RELEASE

THE KENSINGTON CONSERVANCY

************************* 2007 Conservation Forum to be held at Central Algoma Secondary School

The Kensington Conservancy in partnership with Central Algoma Secondary School along with a number of important local partners in the protection of our section of the Great Lakes shoreline will be hosting a one-day conservation forum on May 26 at the Central Algoma Secondary School, and you're invited.

Are you a local resident, a landowner, a cottage owner, concerned about our drinking water, a fisherman who has noticed changes to your favourite "fishing hole," or a business person looking to provide greener services to your customers?

The goal of the conservation forum is to motivate stakeholders along the Desbarats/North Shore including citizens, students, businesses, shoreline owners, developers, and recreational users to develop good stewardship and land-use practices.

We hope to provide an opportunity for the group to work as a collective to look for ways that we can change our behaviours and influence others through the development of partnerships, strategic plans, and creative conservation practices.

Our plan is to have the one-day session, divided into two sections.

Starting at 9 a.m. the participants will be provided with information on the issues that currently threaten our Great Lakes waters; exotic and invasive species, inappropriate or over development, recreation, and other threats to water quality such as extraction of natural resources and incompatible agricultural and forestry practices.

We intend to provide up-to-date information through guest speakers from a number of our partners including the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Ontario Land Trust Alliance, and the Ministry of the Environment.

After a picnic lunch, the presenters and attendees will have an opportunity to work together to identify ways to motivate and educate the various stakeholders as to our shared vision.

Through invitations to Central Algoma Secondary School and Sault College, we will encourage our local young people to not only participate, but also to have a clear voice.

Understanding and recognizing the impact of how and what we do frequently motivates and assists in the development of change.

Strategies for change are often inspired and more successful when developed by combining the views and efforts of all involved.

There is a $20 registration fee which includes lunch.

Please make cheques payable to The Kensington Conservancy.

Registration forms can be found at many local businesses as well as by e-mail.

Please feel free to contact Tanna Elliott at 246-2290 or [email protected]

Registration deadline: May 12, 2007.

Registration at the door available but will not include lunch.

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