A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
by Betsy Smith

It has been ten years (July 1993) since the Lower Grand River Land Trust was incorporated. The present Board recognizes the original Board and those volunteers who worked diligently to organize and implement the mandate and policies. They are responsible for setting the wheel in motion. This Land Trust is recognized nationally and is continually contacted by organizations who are seeking information on how our Board works, volunteer programs and opportunities, stewardship and reforestation programs — to list a few. The volunteers can look back and be proud of what has been accomplished. Over the years we have had the pleasure of getting to know and work with many wonderful people who have offered their time and expertise in a variety of ways in a variety of areas.

The LGRLT is entering into the final year of a monumental 5 year/$1Million Cost Share Program with Parks Canada. The conservation of Ruthven Park is one of the largest projects of its kind in Canada. We have endeavoured to use this funding wisely with expert guidance and a minimalistic approach with the intent to not change the appearance of the mansion and the site. (Please refer to article on Conservation and Maintenance at Ruthven Park for further information.)

The Watershed Stewardship Program staff, Sami Rehman, has fulfilled his two year contract as of July 9th. However Sami is anxious to continue the monitoring on a volunteer basis. Sami has been a valued employee and the Board offers best wishes for success in his future endeavours.

Ongoing negotiations with CN Rail will hopefully finalize the purchase of a portion of the rail line which runs through the agricultural area of Ruthven Park. This purchase will include an easement held by the Land Trust. The rail line will provide a fifth hiking trail offered at Ruthven. The present four trails are constantly groomed and are well used by site visitors. Be sure to read the report in this issue regarding the Butterfly Meadow. This meadow has been a dream for several years of the Cultural Landscape Committee and they have every right to be proud of the meadow presentation this summer. This group of very hard working dedicated volunteers deserve hearty congratulations for their diligence in the maintenance of this meadow.

Our Membership Committee is having a busy summer promoting Land Trust membership. This committee has been reorganized by Gail Collins, Vice President. A new display has been put together and they have been very visible at outdoor summer events including Cayugafest, Port Maitland / Dunnville Festival of History, Joseph Brant Days at LaSalle Park, Burlington and Dundurn Days at Dundurn Castle, Hamilton, and the upcoming Haida celebration in Hamilton on August 30,2003.

Please mark Thursday, October 2nd on your calendar. This is the date of our Annual General Meeting to be held at Ruthven at 7:00 p.m. Wendy Shearer, landscape architect is our guest speaker. Members will be receiving the notice in the mail shortly.

As President, I thoroughly enjoy hearing from committee chairs, i.e.Rick Ludkin, Cultural Landscape is excited because Black Cohosh has been found on the front bank at the Ruthven mansion; Gail Collins, Membership, reports 20 new memberships; Finance Committee is smiling because the stock market is making a recovery; Stewardship Committee reports great success in the final report of the WSP; Building Conservation Committee is now happy now that all the shrubbery has been removed from the front and back of the Coach House; Summer student staff are making great headway on the collection inventory, ground maintenance and interpretation of the site.

The LGRLT Board sends their best wishes to our former employee, Karen Richardson. Karen was a valued volunteer and staff person for over eight years and is to be congratulated on her new position as Curator of the Princeton Museum.