Donating land in memoriam to protect nature

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Bruce Power makes donation to Jane Champagne Foundation

(R) Carolyn Shultz of Ontario Nature, Bev Fry of Bruce Power, Sophie Champagne, Anne Champagne, Meg Salter, John Grandy and Jackie Grandy

The family that is making a difference

(L)  Sophie and Anne Champagne, Ann Carson, Michael Salter, Meg Salter, Jackie Grandy, John Grandy & Kathy Getz

Thanks to the generous donations of many landowners and Ontario Nature, reserves of natural land are being created and endowed for future generations.

On Saturday, August 7th, a diverse group gathered on the shore of Lake Huron at Red Bay for the dedication of the 40-acre Grandy Salter Tract, in memory of Jim and Alex Grandy and Jane Champagne at Petrel Point Nature Reserve.

The land was purchased by Meg Salter and John Grandy after they learned that it was to be sold and zoned for 15 cottages.  Their families had been in the area for more than 100 years and they realized that they would have to preserve the natural beauty of the  pristine stretch of coastline that is home to several at-risk species of wildlife, flora and fauna, including globally rare Great Lakes meadow marshes.  According to Ontario Nature, "There is no place like this in the world with its rare plant life that includes 16 species of orchids."

The United Nations has declared 2010 as International Year of Biodiversity to challenge governments, corporations and individuals to stop of the decline of plants, animals and ecosystems that provide the irreplaceable benefits of clean water and air, food, medicines, shelter and protection from natural disasters.

Ontario supports four UNESCO Biospheres Reserves, eight Internationally important Wetlands and 46 Globally-significant bird area in addition to the one of the world's largest northern boreal forest regions that is home to one of the world's most intact ecological systems.

Unfortunately, it appears that municipal and provincial tiers of government in the province do not realize the value that is intrinsic in nature.  More than 70 per cent of wetland habitats has been lost, 98 per cent of grasslands and approximately 80 per cent of forests and more than 200 plant and animal species are now "at-risk" in the province.

Despite the statistics, housing/cottage development and road expansions continue, including a proposed County road development through or nearby the Petrel Point Nature Reserve.  In an area where tourism should be focusing on the environment, an area where the pristine land tracts that are among the few remaining in the Province should be protected, the counties and province appear to be moving in the opposite direction.

In one little corner however, the serenity and beauty of nature will be protected - the Grandy Salter Tract.

"There is nothing more fitting for the memory of my mother than this dedication," said Sophie Champagne.  "For her nature, spirit and creativity were very much connected and protecting this land is about the human soul as well as the soul of the earth."

Jane Champagne and her flair for 'pleine aire'

Jane Champagne, well-known writer, editor and artist in Bruce County, taught painting both indoor and out (pleine aire) and was, in fact, the founder of the Ontario Outdoor Painting Society.  In her memory, a special 'painter's corner' was created with a bench bearing her name in a quiet corner at Petrel Point overlooking the stretch of beach where she brought many students to paint.

(L) Anne and Sophie Champagne (daughters of Jane Champagne) and Ann Carson (Champagne's sister) sit on the bench that now bears a plaque of remembrance

In addition, a fund has been created in Champagne's name in order to maintain the Tract and Bruce Power's Bev Fry presented an initial donation of $15,000 toward the foundation. 

For more on Jane

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Sunday, August 08, 2010