Ranger Camp Coastal Hike

Photo: Jenifer van Overbeeke

Our members are the lifeblood of the Coalition. You have shown great dedication over time, helping to create a sustainable, innovative and progressive conservation movement in southwestern Ontario. When you donate to the Coalition, you are saving our Carolinian treasures, stewarding rare species and habitats and seeding healthier communities.

Your pledge as a Carolinian Canada Friend supports these far-reaching programs:

• A major emphasis for the Coalition right now is our Coastal Zone Program, highlighted by the Lake Erie Coastal Stewardship Trail. We are making great progress through the public consultation phase and moving into trail implementation. Over the last year, we ran seven workshops and engaged over 200 people, ensuring that the trail's vision is shared and its proposed route connects key natural and cultural sites.
• A growing aspect is the Social Marketing component which has developed into a pilot project for a Biodiversity Awareness Trail in Essex County. We have strong partners in the Trans-Canada Trail Association and the Town of Kingsville, and already Chatham-Kent has expressed an interest in a similar project.
• Other new linkages have developed through the Coastal Stewardship Trail, building partnerships for birding tourism and cycle tourism. These are exciting developments that are in keeping with our strategic direction.
• We are building capacity of 70+ groups in 15 Biodiversity Hotspots through Conservation Action Planning.
• We have grown our impact in Ecosystem Recovery, engaging youth & and landowners in species at risk recovery.
• Our Carolinian Student Internship program expanded with partnerships at University of Western Ontario and the University of Waterloo, linking employers with qualified students.
• Each Carolinian Canada Friend sends a message that people care about nature in southwestern Ontario. CCC takes this message forward to policy discussions at all levels, from local to federal. Our voice is respected as a collaborative, problem-solving approach.

Carolinian Canada Coalition is careful to keep administrative costs low. With a long history of cost-efficient landmark conservation programs, the Coalition continues to take the term "shoe-string budget" seriously through tactics such as the Virtual Office and electronic newsletters. Our rapid recent growth is a tribute not only to a visionary board, hard work and careful financial oversight, but also to generous support from our members, allies and partners. Isn't it nice to know that when contributing to Carolinian Canada, you can expect good financial stewardship for good environmental stewardship?

As we step up our capacity, we are asking you to step up your commitment. All it takes is a donation of $100 -- or choose our monthly plan, donating in installments of just $10 . Won't you please take the next step, and become a Carolinian Canada Friend?

Thank you for all you do to protect the unique nature of southwestern Ontario.

Sincerely,

Gordon Nelson,
Chair

P.S. We rely on the support of our generous members in order to continue delivering cost-effective programs, like our Coastal Zone Program, Conservation Action Planning workshops, and Species at Risk youth camps. Sign up as a founding Carolinian Canada Friend today.