VISTA Yellow Warbler, Dundas Valley CA 2017-18 Annual Report from the Hamilton Conservation Foundation At-Risk Schools are getting outdoors in record numbers A bus-subsidy grant from the Edith H Turner This year, the Foundation has increased its fundraising goal Foundation Fund at the Hamilton Community to$125,000 to build on these great successes and ensure that Foundation funded 16 trips with 679 students in this vital programming doesn’t suffer from increasing 2015-16. In the 2016-17 school year that number pressure on the HCA budget. rose to 67 trips with 2,814 students! An appeal to local businesses and community organizations is planned, with all donations of $1,000 or greater recognized The grant was originally intended to help schools who had on a banner at the Education Centre in the Dundas Valley stopped attending Outdoor Environmental Education Conservation Area. programming due to rising transportation costs. After re- connecting with the programming, teachers started to notice what a positive impact it was having on their students. It turns out that the funding has connected our program with the children who need it most. At the beginning of the 2016- 17 school year, several bookings came in from schools eager to access grant funding once again. This caused the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board to take notice. Seeing the impact of the programming first- hand, the School Board increased it’s bookings from 112 days of classes to 140 days of classes. This response has also caused the Hamilton Conservation Authority (HCA) to expand the program, the cost of which will be covered by donations to the Foundation’s Outdoor Environmental Education Fund. A banner recognizes donors to the Education Fund 2018-19 Board Dear Friends, of Directors As a long-time active user of Hamilton’s beautiful conservation areas, particularly Ine Wauben, Chair while raising two young children, one of the Fred Fuchs, Vice-Chair most rewarding parts of serving as Chair is Alex Luft, Secretary- knowing that my volunteer efforts help Treasurer young people connect with nature. Lloyd Bailey Each year we strive to protect more of the Hamilton Renee Bulger watershed’s natural lands and ensure that they remain protected for the benefit of future Brad Clark generations. W. Brock Criger But what is the point in protecting lands if our future Margaret Reid generations don’t understand and appreciate their Justin Taravski importance? Rebecca Taylor The Hamilton Conservation Authority’s Outdoor Environmental Education program helps to ensure that Ine Wauben, Chair, 2017-18 Ex-officio Members: young people get to experience the magic of our Doug Conley (HCA Chair) forests, meadows and streams. More importantly, they learn why our natural areas are so important and why they need protection. Lisa Burnside (HCA CAO) While we continue to protect our natural land and heritage, I’m particularly proud of our role in raising the conservationists of tomorrow and I hope that you, our extraordinarily Director emeritus: generous donors, feel proud too. Without you, this vital program simply would not exist. Alan Stacey Ine Wauben, Chair, 2017-18

Your donations at work Where donations came from:

n Corporations: $184,212 31% n Events: $ 69,724 12% n Foundations: $ 56,146 9% n Individuals: $225,941 38% n Endowment Interest: $ 60,829 10% Total: $596,852 100%

What they helped to achieve:

n Land Securement, Trails $426,918 81% & Capital Projects n Education and Conservation $77.203 15% Awareness n Cultural Heritage $24,206 4% Total: $528,327 100%

A discrepancy between donations received and spent is to be expected from year-to-year as land and trail projects do not necessarily proceed in the year in which funding is received. To view our complete 2017 Audited Financial Statements and Statements from previous years please visit our website at www.hamiltonconservationfoundation.ca or call Foundation Administrative Coordinator Toby Tresidder at 905-525- 2181 ext. 129. 2 Leave a Natural Legacy Make a continuing investment in conservation through estate planning and legacy giving to the Hamilton Conservation Foundation

A legacy gift is a planned future donation to a charity, given through a will or other form of designation. It is a decision that each person makes in their own financial planning process, taking into account their charitable wishes and values. Consider a legacy gift to the Hamilton Conservation Foundation when you are evaluating your personal, family, and financial needs as well as your long-term charitable giving. There are different options for legacy gifts which may provide significant tax benefits. Your accountant, lawyer, or financial planner can give you information and advice on how to best make these gifts work for you. Let us know! If you have already created a legacy gift, please take a moment to let us know. Any information you provide will help us to respect your gift intention, honour your legacy, plan for the future confidently, and inspire others to follow your kind example. Your specific gift will always remain strictly confidential. Legacy Giving Circle A legacy gift is a lasting statement of your generosity and care, and an opportunity to say you believe conservation is important now and forever. The Foundation’s newly introduced Legacy Giving Circle will allow us to recognize The Foundation’s newly-launched your generosity and provide updates on how your support will make a positive Legacy Giving Circle will recognize difference in conservation. donors who have included a gift to the Foundation in their estate planning.

3 Deputy Environmental Commissioner praises donor efforts to protect and care for natural lands in the Hamilton watershed With a changing climate, growing population and the ever-growing threats posed by invasive species, the importance of protected areas, especially those which host native species, grows every day.

Ellen Schwartzel is surprisingly upbeat for someone speaking She points to the progress made in closing coal-fired power about the dire realities of a changing climate. Addressing a plants, massive decreases in smog-days and Greenbelt room full of Foundation donors at our May 14th event, the protection as reasons to be optimistic. Deputy Environmental Commisioner of Ontario is keen to Keeping the crowd focused on what can be done to move point out the necessity of projects like the Cootes to forward, Schwartzel suggests the simplest of actions: plant a Escarpment EcoPark System. tree. “Preferably a native one!” she adds, noting the “Wildlife corridors are going to be essential moving forward. extraordinary prevalence of just four species, especially the As the climate warms, species will need to migrate to find Norway Maple, in Toronto’s urban tree canopy. suitable habitat. We can’t just send out a memo to all of the A diverse canopy of native trees and, of course, protected creatures in the forest!” she explains with a wry smile. spaces for them to thrive, will be essential to the sustainable ECO (Environmental Commissioner of Ontario) is a non- communities of the future which will grapple with a rapidly partisan arm’s-length agency funded by the Province of changing climate. Ontario to audit the Government’s actions from an Schwartzel notes that with over 11,000 acres owned or environmental perspective. The organization also drives managed by the Hamilton Conservation Authority (HCA), citizen engagement on environmental issues through representing approximately 10% of the watershed, we are in Ontario’s Environmental Bill of Rights and a new toolkit a better position than most Ontario communities to adapt to designed to arm citizens with the tools they need to demand a changing climate. environmental accountability in their communities.

With over 11,000 acres owned or managed by the Hamilton Conservation Authority, the Hamilton watershed has more protected conservation lands than most other comparable areas. This will help Hamilton to be more resilient in adapting to a changing climate.

4 Plantings at Tew Falls seek Long-awaited Canal Park to protect sensitive amenities to be installed Escarpment habitat this fall

The extraordinary popularity of waterfalls is After staff changes, talks with neighbours and a impressive, but it continues to put an undue strain number of proposed designs, a shade structure will on some of our area’s rarest and most sensitive finally be installed next to the Desjardins Canal this habitats. fall.

While the original design called for a large fabric structure, concern over wildlife conflicts and ongoing maintenance has led to a more resilient and less obtrusive design option featuring trellises.

The Canal Park project, including these latest improvements, has been funded through community donations to the EcoPark Campaign, which also helped to acquire 3 key properties in the Cootes to Escarpment EcoPark System.

Saltfleet Conservation Area flood control plans taking shape With the successful conclusion of an Environmental Assessment, plans to construct flood control structures can enter the design stage. Lands in the Spencer Gorge feature some of the only stretches of the Niagara Escarpment which face southward, The first structure, to be built along Upper Battlefield Creek, making them an ideal habitat for Species at Risk. is expected to hold back 596,000 cubic metres of water (equivalent to 238.4 Olympic-sized swimming pools) and The lands are also a popular hiking spot with local thrill- will feed a network of man-made wetlands which will seekers, who continue to venture off-trails and encroach on provide a massive boost to local biodiversity along with the escarpment. While these adventures offer extraordinary mitigating flood risks downstream. views, they also harm local plant populations. The long-term vision for the Conservation Area will include In an aim to curb this damage, the Foundation is raising a trail network and other passive recreation infrastructure funds for native species plantings in strategic areas on and connecting to the Dofasco 2000 Trail. Design work on these adjacent to Escarpment slopes. These plantings, along with amenities, however, cannot begin until several years of additional fencing and signage are expected to discourage flood-control projects are complete. off-trail use and improve the prospects of the Species at Risk that call the area home.

4 5 Thank you to all of our fantastic donors We’re excited to recognize everyone who donated between December 1, 2016 and November 30, 2017

Individual Donors Christine Adams Grace Correia Fran Hall Bullock and Richard Lynne Larsen Paul Nielsen John Thornton H. Edison and Margaret Aitken Gord Costie Wayne Bullock Anita and Frank Lauinger Leslie and Ken Nieradka John Thorpe Lida Alexanian Jim Couch Kenneth and Joan Hall Yuk Woo Lee Ed Novak Kathleen Tiers Margaret Anderson-Herrmann Roger Courtenay Cecil and Gladys Hamilton Wendy Leger Richard Omatsu Maria Topalovic and Otto Herrmann W. Brock Criger Derek Hamilton Jennifer and William Lennon Duke O'Sullivan Steve Torrance Anthony Angeloni Robert Crockford Brent Harley Tricia Leong Debbie and John Overmeyer Toby Tresidder Roger Ashton Mark and Roberta Crowther Vi Harris Cameron Leslie Susan and David Pasian Irene and Ken Tse Elizabeth Avery Eric and Sharon Crump Marion Harrison Elizabeth Lesser Teresa Pasquini Peter Van Kester Lloyd Bailey Frank Cucullo Bruce Harschnitz Shirley Levene Stewart Patch David and Susan Van Sickle Dennis and Patricia Baker Karen Culp Susan Harvey Losani Homes Rosanne Peachey Janina Vanderpost Barbara Bambi Stephen Dalton Mel Head Linda Lowrey Scott Peck M. Evelyn Veale Peter Barnes Peter Dawson Alison Healing Alex Luft Juri Peepre Mark Tamminga and Joany Helen Barton Helen Denton Arthur Heidebrecht Vic Macbournie Karen Phillips Verschuuren Lillian Bastarache Corri Desaulniers Margaret Henning Joan MacDonald Lindsay Plantz Marianne Vespry Warren Beacham Susan Devai Carrol Herauf Peter MacDonald Tom and Libby Pokoradi Jim and Sue Waddington Patti Beamsley Linda Dicaire Joan Hewitt Richard and Ethel MacDonald Nancy Pollock William Walker and Heather Joan Bell Lenore Dickson Jordan and Judy Hill John MacRae Valeska Ramsay Hill Frederick Bennett Angela Dingwell Peter Hill Toni Major Debbie and Bruce Rankin Robin Wallar Barbara Bergevin Rob Dobos Robert Hilton Doug Mallory Margaret Reid Susan Watts Deb Bishop Karen and Kevin Dore Donald Hitch Roger Mann Ron and Debra Richter Ine Wauben Margaret Black Gloria Doskoch Sharon and Stephen Holford Deborah Marcellus John and Suzanne Robertson Deborah Weston Jackie and Bill Boros Charles and Irene Doubrough Laura House Joey Marshall Glenna Robinson John and Jean Wheeler Helene Boutin Harry Drews Richard Howarth Olga Maxemiuk Carolyn Rogers Elizabeth Whetham Dan Bowman Barry Dyment Abigail Rebecca Hughes George McCabe Donna Rutherford Shirley Williams Joyce Bravo Michael Eames Jane Hunter Arlene McCaw Art Samson Sandra Winninger Anne Bridgman Lynda Eddy Lisa Hutchinson Mary McCormack Kathy Sayean Jane Wolfenberg Hazel Broker Andrew Elliot Annette Huys Sheila McDougall Karl Schwarze Mary Wood Rondalyn Brown John Evans Crystal Jack David and Joan McInnis Douglas A. Scott and Malle Donald Woodside Janet Bryers Dorothy Eyles Christina Jager Don and Kathryne McLean Volaric Brian and Nancy Wylie Juanita and Fernando Bucci Tyler Firth Robert and Darlene James Gordon and Angie McNulty Scott Shannon Heather Yoell Richard Buccino Joan Fletcher Anne and Lloyd Jarvis John and Eileen McQuade Norma and Roy Sheldrick James and Joan York Renee Bulger Mary Ford Olive and Khurseed Laurie McQueen David and Janet Smith Carol Zinszer Wayne Burley Tom Foster Jeejeebhoy James McWilliam Elizabeth Smith Lisa Burnside Karl Freeman Michael Jefferson Alan Mendelson John and Judy Smith Sonja Cadman Friends Of Doctor Cairo Michael Johnston Kathy Menyes Janet Snaith Gordon and Patricia Cameron Colleen Fuller Norman Jones Heather Mileski and Family Mara Snider Paul and Sara Cannon Mary Elizabeth and Bill Fulton Michael and Elizabeth Kay David Miller Harriet Sprague Gord Carpenter Alexandra Gall Sarah Keating Robert Montgomery Alan Stacey Shirley Carson David Gerrie Erica Kildau-Stearns Carl and Dorothy Moore Beth Stormont Brunhilde Cawi Francis Hope Gibson Sara Kinnear Valerie Moore Lewis and Anne Straus Debbie and Mark Chamberlain Charles Gidley Doug and Valerie Kloet Barbara Morris Michael Street Aline Chan Mary Gilmour Scott Koblyk Jan Morrow Andrew and Dorothy Tapajna Mary Chantrell L. Ann and Bob Glass Alfred and Heide Koehn Bella and Henry Muller Jennifer Taylor Joanna Chapman Ms. Kelly Grafton Joel Konik Michael Murray Rebecca Taylor Hugh Clark and Carolyn David Grant Marilyn Korzekwa John Naismith Wayne Taylor Williamson Kay Grant Nancy Krieg Debra and Frank Naphan Anne Tennier James Clark Karlee Griffin Kevin Lacey Kelly and Robert Neale John Thode Anne Collins Sara Jane Gruetzner Amanda Lakhanpal Samuel Ng Sandra Thomaidis Michelle Cooper Gillian and John Gunstensen Barbara Laking Patricia Nicol Carolyn Thompson 6 Corporate and Foundation Donors ArcelorMittal Dofasco G.P. CHML Children's Fund W. Robert and Marion S. Shivas Rockton Women's Institute Burlington Runners Club City of Hamilton Conservation Trust Fund Rotary Club Of Ancaster A.M. Calvin Christian School Creative At Home Inc. Horizon Utilities Rothsay Cambridge Handweavers & Spinners Donn Zver Pottery Kayba Enterprises Sheffield Lions Club Guild FOTEK Inc. Lynden Horticultural Society Stackpole International Canon Canada Inc. Hamilton Port Authority Mountsberg Cemetery Fund TD - Friends of the Environment Charles Jones Industrial Limited Hamilton Community Foundation Methodist Foundation Chitty Charitable Foundation At The The Dougher Community Fund National Steelcar Limited - Employees Wedges 'N Woods Inc. Strategic Charitable Giving Edith H Turner Foundation Fund Charitable Donations World Wildlife Fund Foundation Ray Lowes Environmental Fund Optimist Club of Strabane

Tribute Donations Donations were received in honour of the following:

Alexander “Sandy” Bell Jordan and Judy Hill Murray A. Major Daniel Walter Watts Michael Chamberlain Michael and Elizabeth Kay Susanne “Sue” Nesbitt McNally Michael William Watts Winnifred Fulton Lorraine Lee Donald Logan Morrow Gordon W. Jack and Susan Y. Jack Rosalie and Raphael Martinello Douglas A. Scott

Milestones on the Donor Wall We want to recognize the following donors whose cumulative giving hit a new milestone in 2017! Benefactor of Conservation ($250,000- Partner of Conservation (cont’d) 499,999) Dennis and Patricia Baker ArcelorMittal Dofasco GP Scott, Cheryl, Abi & Zach Peck Ambassador of Conservation ($25,000- Maria Topalovic 49,999) Ann Gillespie and Stewart Patch M. Evelyn Veale Friend of Conservation ($1,000-2,499) Steward of Conservation ($10,000-24,999) Estate of Barbara Reid Frederick Bennett Losani Homes Guardian of Conservation ($5,000-9,999) Alex Luft Calvin Christian School The Murphy Group The Children’s Fund (AM900 CHML, Y108, 95.3 Fresh Richard Omatsu Radio) Nancy Pollock Anne Tennier Harriet Sprague Partner of Conservation ($2,500-4,999) Wayne Taylor Chitty Charitable Foundation at the Strategic Charitable Giving Foundation 7 Your donations to the Hamilton Conservation Foundation help to:

l Get kids learning about the environment outdoors l Protect and improve the Hamilton watershed’s meadows, forests, streams and wetlands in our Conservation Areas l Build new trails and improve existing ones l Bring history to life at Westfield Heritage Village Thank You!

VISTA Published by Hamilton Conservation Foundation PO Box 81067, 838 Mineral Springs Road Ancaster, ON L9G 4X1 905-525-2181 www.hamiltonconservationfoundation.ca [email protected] Editors: Grace Correia and Toby Tresidder Photos: Hamilton Conservation Foundation, Hamilton Conservation Authority, The Hamilton Conservation Foundation protects and enhances natural Conservation Ontario. and cultural legacies by raising and stewarding funds for the Hamilton Template concept: Hellingman Conservation Authority. Communications Our charitable registration number is 85997 5617 RR0001.