The Burnt Lands Alvar ‘Save Our Alvar’ campaign continued to gain momentum, thanks to a well-attended pub night held by the Mississippi Valley Field Naturalists (MVFN) on Friday, February 6 at the Barley Mow in Almonte. Donations on the night exceeded $1500, to the delight of the organizing team. “What a fantastic success our pub night was! Everyone was happy to be there, had a great time, and gave very generously. There can’t be too many communities as terrific as ours,” said Burnt Lands Alvar Campaign co-chair Theresa Peluso.
Funds were raised by direct donation, a 50/50 draw, and the silent auction of several framed prints featuring Burnt Lands flora and fauna. The room was packed to capacity the whole time. Organizers estimate approximately 100 people came and went throughout the evening, with many staying for the duration of the event.
The funds raised will be used to hire a planner and lawyer to guide the MVFN through an Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) challenge, expected to take place this summer. The group hopes to persuade the OMB to overturn a recent decision to allow a housing cluster lot development within the Burnt Lands Alvar area east of Almonte. The campaign has now raised more than half the money required for the first phase of this effort. Other fundraising activities are proceeding in parallel. A second pub night is planned for early March. “We still have some way to go, but are very optimistic that our funding goals will be achieved,” said Peluso. MVFN thanks all those who participated in the pub night fundraiser.
The Mississippi Valley Field Naturalists are a local field naturalist group and member of the Ontario Nature Network. To find out more about the Burnt Lands Alvar Campaign, visit the MVFN website at http://mvfn.ca/ Donation information is found via the Donate Now button on the home page. Information about the campaign is also posted on the Burnt Lands Alvar Campaign Facebook page.
