About the Foundation

Types of Projects undertaken by the Conservation Foundation:

Support for tree planting and land reforestation initiatives
Support for rehabilitation efforts such as data collection, carp exclosures, habitat structure installation and butterfly gardens
Support for environmental education programs
Development of a Living Discovery Centre at Rattray Marsh Conservation Area
Establishment of a memorial forest and a memorial bench program
Support for trail development and maintenance across the watershed
Educational bursaries for students entering post secondary education at the University of Guelph , the University of Toronto and the University of Waterloo in the fields of Geography and Environmental Studies
Support for the acquisition and protection of environmentally significant lands

The Role of CVC Foundation in the Credit River Watershed Community

When CVC was created in 1954, the Credit River and its communities were facing great challenges. Property damaging floods were a regular occurrence. In the summer water flow was reduced to a trickle and, in some areas, sewage, industrial discharge and sediment polluted the water.

Since the formation of Credit Valley Conservation, a slow but steady recovery has begun. Today the water is cleaner and damaging floods and droughts less frequent. There is as much forest cover in the watershed now as there was 100 years ago and Atlantic Salmon, which have not been seen in the river in 150 years, are beginning to return.

Despite these accomplishments, there is still much to be done. Restoration of parts of the river is still needed and accommodating future population growth, while protecting the river, will continue to be an incredible challenge.

In 1964, Credit Valley Conservation established the Credit Valley Conservation Foundation to support its activities. Since then the Credit Valley Conservation Foundation has been assisting Credit Valley Conservation with the daunting task of environmental protection.
Members and donors to the CVC Foundation firmly believe that our personal health, economic well-being and quality of life are inextricably linked to the health of our natural environment.

We also believe that the Credit River Watershed is an incredible place to live, work and play and we want it to stay this way.

Our group of dedicated volunteers engages the community in support of projects including tree planting and reforestation, habitat restoration, trail development, environmental education and the protection of environmentally significant lands.

Together, we are the guardians of the Credit River, which has been placed in our trust by the people of the watershed. We take our responsibility seriously and will ensure that this trust is earned.

Objectives

To provide opportunities (that will benefit residents and visitors to the Credit
Valley Conservation Authority Watershed);

1)   to protect and enhance water quality and quantity;

2)   to protect and enhance sustainable forest and wildlife       communities using an ecosystem approach;

3)   to promote landowner stewardship programs that contribute to       the conservation of our natural environment and wildlife       resources;

4)   for environmental education accessible to people of all ages and       backgrounds;

5)   for affordable and ecologically sustainable recreation       accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds;

6)   for the acquisition and protection of environmentally significant       lands;

7)   to sustain natural heritage sites;

8)   to contribute to a natural and archeological legacy;

9) for scholarships and bursaries for individuals in the scientific,       environmental, and/or archeological and natural heritage fields       of education and research.

Board of Directors

The foundation board is a group of environmentally committed prominent individuals dedicated to raising funds and awareness to support an environmentally healthy watershed for economically and socially sustainable communities.

The foundation board is comprised of public and private sector volunteers from watershed municipalities and communities. The projects that the Foundation supports offer a tangible benefit to residents in communities through-out the watershed.

Marolyn Morrison, Chair, currently the Mayor of Caledon and was a CVC Board Member until December 2004.

Rae Horst, Secretary Treasurer, and current Chief Administrative Officer of CVC.

Ron Bianchi , Trustee, is the former Executive Meteorologist of The Weather Network and Past President of the Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society.

John Grange, Trustee, runs Lorthlorien Farm in Cheltenham , On. and Lorthlorien Farm South in Florida and is an active member of the Concerned Citizens of Caledon.

Ellen McGregor, Trustee, is from the private sector and is Chair and C.E.O of Fielding Chemical Technologies Inc.

Pat Mullin , Trustee, is currently the Chair of the CVC Board of Directors and a Councillor for the City of Mississauga .

Jim Muscat, Vice Chair, is a former Toronto Police Services Sergeant and Communications Spokesperson and the current President of the Learning Disabilities Association of Mississauga.

Bob Shirley, Trustee, is the Vice Chair of the CVC Board of Directors, Chair of the Island Lake Management Committee and Friends of Island Lake.

Mike Warrian, Trustee, is the past Executive Director of Trout Unlimited, Ontario Council where his efforts have been recognized through the establishment of The Mike Warrian Award for Volunteer Excellence.

Jean Williams, Trustee, has been an active partner with CVC during more than 30 years of distinguished service to the Rattray Marsh Protection Association and the environmental community

Click here to view a message from the foundation chair, Marolyn Morrision.

Committees

The following sub-committees play a vital role in assisting the Credit Valley Conservation Foundation in meeting fundraising goals, and enhancing community involvement and awareness of various projects.

Friends of Island Lake

Bob Burnside
Terrance Carter
Sylvia Cheuy
Don Cullen
Marc Darby, Vice Chair
Larry Dee
Steve Doney, Fundraising Coordinator
Dave Dyce
Karl Edelbrock
Doc Gillies
Margorie Grime
Christine Langman
Gerry Lindsay
Bob Mitchell
Fred Murphy
Kim Perryman
Teresa Pope
Laura Ryan
Bob Shirley, Chair
Brenda Teeter
Mark Whitcombe
Wayne White

Friends of Terra Cotta

Tom Ashby
Annette & Ron Graydon
Angela Meyer
Lillie Ann Morris
Anna Morrison
Teresa Rigg
Dave Rutherford
Keith & Evelyn Thoy
Mike & Joan Warrian
Ted & Joan Webb

Rattray Marsh Protection Association

Janet Bumstead, Vice Chair
Kirsten Burling
Merle Kisby
Elaine McMillan
Audrey Oswald
Ivan Sack
Peggy Sharpe
Irene Stirling
Wendy walker, Recording Secretary
Peter Westbrook, Treasurer
Jean Williams, Chair

Conservation Gala

Rae Horst
Jim Muscat
Mike Warrian

Canoe the Credit

John Wood, Honourary Event Chair
Larry Cain, Honourary Event Chair
Darryl Bohm
Jane Bonsteel
Silvia Gualtieri
Jessica Rando
Anita Scholtz
Marlene Yakabuski