GLF Nature Conservancy of Canada Grant Update

The Great Lakes Foundation Board of Directors has created a Grants Committee to facilitate the Board in conducting its philanthropic mission. The committee’s first collateral assignment was to vet five grant applications for the 2021 April meeting. One grant request was submitted by the Nature Conservancy of Canada for the protection of the Vidal Bay shoreline on Manitoulin Island. This request for $20,000 USD was to be used for a land purchase on Manitoulin Island. It alone encompasses 18,000 acres, and 11 miles of shore and is part of the Vidal Bay Forest (NC-11), thereby creating a 29,800-acre preserve with over 50 miles of shoreline. The Conservancy studied and was acutely aware of the impact of the purchase on the indigenous population of Manitoulin Island. This grant also qualified for matching funds from the North American Wetlands Conservation Act Grant program, shared by both U.S. & Canadian governments, thereby increasing the grand value of our donation to $80,000 USD. As a result of the diligence of Private donors, including the Great Lakes Foundation and GLCC members, the project has been implemented. Here’s an update from CBC News: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/nature-conservancy-manitoulin-island-protected-property-1.6275353.