Annual Report
TBFN Nature Reserves 2005

Thunder Bay Field Naturalists Nature Reserves has had a busy year.

The highlight of the year was the acquisition of the 106 acre Caldwell Lake Nature Reserve. The property was donated to TBFN. Club members generously supported the costs of the acquisition by donating $3,800 for this purpose. In addition, club member, Barbara Yurkoski, successfully received a grant of $5,000 from the EJLB Foundation of Montreal in support of TBFN’s work at Caldwell Lake.

The investments in the Endowment Fund started just over a year ago, continue to grow, producing much needed revenues to support our Nature Reserves. New donations continue to flow into the Endowment Fund from supportive members.

TBFN now owns 12 nature reserves totalling 845 acres with an assessed value of over $300,000. Eleven of the twelve reserves are now eligible for tax exemption under the government’s Conservation Land Tax Incentive Program (CLTIP). Changes to the CLTIP made by MNR last year mean that several of our properties which previously were not eligible for tax exemption (two of our Nipigon River mouth properties plus the new Caldwell Lake property) fortunately are now eligible for 100% tax exemption. I have visited all of the properties during the year and all are in good shape.

Several other properties offered as donations were visited and assessed, but as is sometimes the case, these potential donations just didn’t work out for a variety of reasons.

Once again thank you to Lesley Curthoys for her help with the nature reserves program, particularly for her help with the Caldwell Lake fund raising and publicity this fall . Also to Betty Burke who so capably looked after all the receipting and banking details for the Nature Reserves. Betty is now retiring from the Treasurer’s post – I will miss her very able support. Thankyou too to Willard Carmean and all the members of the TBFN executive who patiently weigh all the pros and cons whenever I bring forward a possible new acquisition.

A reminder to all TBFN members, I am interested to hear from anyone with an idea for a new TBFN Nature Reserve. Most of the reserves we presently own were places suggested by members. You are my best ambassadors in seeking out potential donors of significant natural areas.

Susan Bryan
Nature Reserves Chair