Annual Report
TBFN Nature Reserves 2002

In 2002 TBFN received donations of 5 separate parcels of land in the William Bog totalling approximately 5 acres and appraised at a value of $20,750. These properties are all located in a provincially significant wetland and tax-exempt status for all of them has already been approved.

Our club has continued to be an active member of the Ontario Land Trust Alliance provincially. We also participated in a meeting of the Lake Superior Land Trust Alliance held in Thunder Bay in September 2002. Club outings went to TBFN's Nipigon River Mouth Reserve in June, and twice to the Kam Valley Nature Reserve at Stanley in May and August.

As our Nature Reserves program continues to grow, our finances have become increasingly complex. For this reason a separate bank account with signing officers from the club, and also a separate year end financial statement have been organized thanks to treasurer Betty Burke. In 200, receipts into this account included two grants: $648 from the Ontario Nature Trust Alliance and $755 from the Great Lakes Aquatic Fund. In addition we were pleased to receive $1,000 from the estate of long-time member Margaret Hartley. Bird survey work by club members at Musselwhite Gold Mine brought in $1,500 and a class organized by club members for LU students raised another $75 in teaching honoraria.

By far the largest source of funds to the Nature Reserves program came from the many generous donations of TBFN members, amounting to over $8,000 in 2002! With this strong endorsement from the membership we are able not only to look after the reserves we already own, but also to acquire new properties.

Once again I would remind all TBFN members that you can "think globally and act locally" by naming Thunder Bay Field Naturalists in your will. Or consider donating to the club in memory of someone who has died. What better way to respectfully remember a friend who was a nature lover? We have now received a number of gifts of this type and they are greatly appreciated.

Many thanks to Lesley Curthoys for all her help with the Nature Reserves Program. Thanks to Betty Burke for her careful attention to all the financial details including the issuing of countless charitable donations receipts.

Susan Bryan
Nature Reserves Chair