President's 2007 Year-End Report
My Dear Friends,
The year is almost at a close and it is once again time to
chronicle our progress at Heartland Forest and give our thanks to all who
were such a big part of it.
Giant steps were made and milestones passed. Trail
maintenance, erection of signage, building of the treehouse and education
of our children on the environment have been the pinnacles of those steps
and milestones. To start listing all of you who have donated your monies,
your time and effort to our project would take many pages of this report
and there is always a chance that some would be overlooked. Suffice to say
that we are most grateful to all of you. Your spirit and ongoing support
are what keep us on our quest to make Heartland Forest a prime motivator
in the environmental movement and in supplying, where we can, education
and facilities for all to enjoy, participate in and, above all, learn what
it is.
There are 4 individuals who I must make mention of here.
They give the guidance, do the research and most of the necessary
paperwork, support my efforts and act as mentors. To Linda MacRea
(helpmate), Rick Vanderkuip (Manager), Paul Philp (Coordinator of
Education and Special Events) and Doug Large (Webmaster and Graphic
Designer) a very big Thank You Guys! Without you this project would still
be a dream.
The most visible improvement to the property has been the
Heartland Treehouse. The work that went into this project was phenomenal.
What started out as a simple concept took off and became a major effort.
It was completed with literally an 11th hour under the flood
lights of the last day and night. But by far the most satisfying project for the
year has to be the education of some 800 plus primary school children in
getting to know things about our wetland forest environment. Almost single
handed Paul designed and wrote the curriculum, designed and hand delivered
the advertising, emailed, talked and encouraged the schools to send their
pupils and then did the teaching and course leadership. His devotion and
perseverance is the thing heroes are made of. We must all give him his due
and thanks for a monumental job. It has been a wonderful year.
Now for 2008, which is shaping up to be full of more
wonderful milestones.
A 2 pond system complete with a windmill water pump has
been designated as our next major project. Pond 1 will house fish and a
structure designed to make it possible for those with mobility problems to
wet a fish line and catch (if they can) the stocked fish. The 2nd
pond will be a haven for turtles and amphibians of all kinds to grow and
prosper and provide a constant teaching resource as well as supply water
to replenish that lost by evaporation from pond 1. The flowing water will
also supply oxygen for the survival of our fish stock.
Trail maintenance will be continued with more levelling
and adding of a surface making it easier for wheelchairs to navigate.
Signage will be increased and improved and the entrance to the property
will be beautified with applicable plants and flowers.
We are privileged to be hosting the meetings of several
Environmental Groups in the spring: Ontario Vernal Pool Assoc., Niagara
Woodlot Assoc., Burt Millar Nature Club will all hold meetings. An
Envirothon in association with the Ontario Forestry Association, Frogfest
in conjunction with all regional nature clubs will both be held and the
Toronto Zoo Teachers Seminar will be hosted once again.
2008 is shaping up and promises to be busy and it is hoped
that you all will have a chance to participate and become part of these
exciting events.
In closing let me once again say thank you for your
interest and encouragement. I will continue to champion Heartland Forest.
A very Merry Christmas and a Prosperous and Safe New
Year to you all!!
Dan Bouwman
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