Media Release

For release August 31, 2007

Anonymous donor covers boardwalk repairs

Kawartha Lakes – A generous Kawartha Lakes resident and visitor to Ken Reid Conservation Area has anonymously donated the funds to cover the repair costs of recent vandalism there.

A large section of boardwalk railing was ripped out earlier this summer, causing the boardwalk's closure while repair work was being completed. It cost approximately a thousand dollars to replace supporting structures and reinstall the railing.

Shortly after reading about the incident in the paper, a woman came into the Kawartha Conservation Administrative Centre, located at the Ken Reid Conservation Area with a cheque to cover the damages. Staff were surprised and grateful for the unexpected gift from the woman, who asked not to be identified.

“This insidious damage was done by cowards who cannot express themselves in other ways, “ she remarked.

Kawartha Conservation Manager, Environmental Protection and Restoration, Kristie Virgoe, explains the importance of the donation. “It is meaningful in two ways. First, it will help us stay on budget for the conservation area, which is always challenging when we have vandalism. Second, it demonstrates to us that the community really appreciates the resource, which is heart-warming.”

Anyone with knowledge of the boardwalk vandalism, or who sees suspicious activity in the conservation area, is asked to contact the Ontario Provincial Police or Crime Stoppers.

Kawartha Conservation is a watershed-based environmental organization focused on providing abundant clean water within a healthy landscape. It is one of 36 conservation authorities in Ontario providing natural resources management. The Kawartha watershed intersects portions of the City of Kawartha Lakes; Township of Scugog; Township of Brock; Municipality of Clarington; Township of Galway-Cavendish & Harvey; and Township of Cavan-Monaghan.

-30-

photo caption: Kristie Virgoe, Kawartha Conservation manager, environmental protection and restoration, stands on the newly repaired boardwalk at Ken Reid Conservation Area, which is open and free to the public year round.

For more information please contact:

Lezlie Goodwin, communications specialist, 705.328.2271 ext 233 or lgoodwin@kawarthaconservation.com

Kristie Virgoe, manager, environmental protection and restoration, 705.328.2271 ext 223 or kvirgoe@kawarthaconservation.com