Everywhere you look there are sparkly lights, holiday events and Christmas shoppers. I think Orillia must be one of the most generous communities around – one reason why I love living here. With food drives and fundraising events for local non-profits happening throughout the year, and in particular around the holidays, people have the opportunity to give back where they live or play.
The Couchiching Conservancy fits in with that group of non-profits who are powered by the kindness and passion of the community. People and businesses give their time and funds to ensure that some of the natural places in our region that are here today will be here forever. Our business partners make it possible to protect 44 properties in the region in a number of ways – by making financial donations, sponsoring events, providing in-kind services and/or contributing products.
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In this article, we’d like to give thanks to the businesses in our community who love our natural places and help to ensure that our community has a healthy environment.
[/wc_column][wc_column size=”one-half” position=”last”]There are quite a lot of businesses involved, and writing one long list wouldn’t make for good reading, so this year, and every year, we place a full page ad in the Orillia Packet & Times to highlight their contributions. You can watch for that in next Thursday’s paper.
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For this article though, I’d like to feature a few businesses and the different ways they support conservation efforts in our region.
Three businesses who are key to our operations and acquisition activities are Russell, Christie, LLP Barristers & Solicitors, J.R. Booth – Chartered Accountant and Hehn Trickey Professional Corp. Working with knowledgeable lawyers is an important part of acquisition. Russell, Christie contributes many hours of time, expertise and services towards making acquisition of properties, easements or partnerships possible. For Hehn Trickey, they also provide in-kind services based on their years of expertise.
A significant activity this year was a bit out of the ordinary – the office renovation. Two businesses in particular to highlight are ScottInc Design + Build and K. McKechnie Architectural Design. Don and Kristi were a part of the renovation committee and did the hands on part of the renovation. Their work crew transformed the office before our eyes. In addition, Avanti Engineering & Design Inc., The Water Market and Security and Electronics Solutions all contributed a portion of their services and products towards the renovation. The Water Market donated a water system so now we have safe drinkable tap water – something we haven’t had in the office since we moved in 2004.
For the Passport to Nature, Sojourn stepped up as our Gold Sponsor. This Barrie outfitter certainly has a passion for the outdoors, so it has been a perfect partnership. Davenport Subaru and Davenport Kia have also been a important sponsor this year, and we thank them for their support. In addition, the Orillia Packet & Times contributed ad spots in the paper and online to promote our events, which was a huge help.
Thanks for these businesses mentioned and all of the businesses in the community who put their time, effort and funds into saving our natural areas for our enjoyment and for future generations. Every donation, whether it’s $5 or $5,000 – it all contributes to our conservation efforts. Again – be on the lookout for that full page ad in the free edition of the Orillia Packet & Times next week.
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Tanya Clark is the Development Coordinator at The Couchiching Conservancy, a non-profit land trust dedicated to protecting the irreplaceable forests, wetlands, alvars and landscapes in the region.