| The City of Winnipeg agrees with Save Our Seine River Environment Inc. (SOS) that the pristine forest located in South Winnipeg, known as Bois des Esprits, should be forever protected as a City park. Located on the East side of the Seine River between Bishop Grandin Boulevard and Warde Avenue, this unique 81-acre portion of forest has been classified by the Seine River Greenway Study as Grade �A� habitat, defined as "the best quality of habitat, and most sensitive to disturbance". The Greenway Study, completed in 2000, confirmed that "this river bottom forested area, with valuable wetlands and the vestiges of old river oxbows, needs to be purchased, protected and preserved for the future due to its exceptional high quality". A prime example of a prairie river-bottom forest, the Bois des Esprits is home to a large variety of wildlife including whitetail deer, fox, rabbits, beavers, turtles, owls and blue herons. Eleven heritage tree candidates can be found in the forest, including the largest tree in Winnipeg � a Cottonwood almost 90' tall. In 2001, a naturalist survey found a rare species of dragonfly, the River Jewelwing, living along the Seine. There are "Spirits in the Woods", this special place called Bois des Esprits. This distinctive river and forest has its own history, and whispers of ghosts of pioneers past and our First Nations people. The Bois des Esprits provided them with timber for fuel and shelter, game for sustenance, and sap for sugar, and it has echoed the lively music of early settlers. A significant historical point of interest is the former site of the Riel family's mill. Louis Riel, Sr., called "the Miller of the Seine", was the father of Louis Riel, who led Manitoba into Confederation in 1870. In the 1850s, Louis Riel, Sr. and Benjamin Lagimodiere operated a water-powered mill on the Seine at a bow in the river, north of John Bruce Road. The large grist stone which graces the front of the St. Boniface Museum on Tache Avenue in Winnipeg is from this mill. Unfortunately, this ecological jewel is in danger. Unless sufficient funds are raised to purchase the forest, it will become a residential development! It is imperative that this irreplaceable treasure within our City be protected for future generations. The estimated purchase price of the land is $2.6 Million. The City is prepared to commit $1 Million to aquire the forest and protect it as a City park, for development into an interpretive canoeing and hiking corridor. In addition, the City has agreed to match, dollar for dollar, all funds raised to a maximum of $600,000. SOS is launching a fundraising campaign to cover the shortfall of $1 Million before December 31, 2003. The fundraising deadline is December 31, 2003. Each dollar raised by SOS will be matched by the City of Winnipeg! Contributions are tax deductible! The importance of this project has attracted Evergreen Common Grounds, a national urban land trust whose mission is to bring communities and nature together for the benefit of both. Evergreen is partnering with SOS and the City in this campaign to acquire the land so that it is preserved in perpetuity. You can help SOS reach our goal by forwarding a cheque or money order to the address below. Donations of $15 or more are eligible for a tax receipt. We encourage you to make a donation in one of the special donor categories listed below. Your valuable support will be acknowledged with a tax receipt and a personalized Certificate, suitable for framing, signed by Winnipeg's Mayor, the President of SOS, and the Chair of Evergreen. If you wish, give a "gift of nature", and have the Certificate issued in honour of someone special. This is a unique opportunity to make a difference for future generations. Please help SOS save the Bois des Esprits by giving your family an exceptional gift, the spirit of a 100-year old oak tree from an irreplaceable forest! $15 ___ Tax receipt will be issued Tax receipt and Certificate will be issued for the following donations: $25 Bird Watcher ___ $50 Nature Lover ___ $100 Tree Hugger ___ $250 Forest Friend ___ $500 Forest Supporter ___ $1,000 Forest Benefactor ___ $5,000 Forest Partner ___ Name: ________________________________________________________________________________________ Address: ______________________________________________________________________________________ City: _________________________________________________ Postal Code: ____________________________ Phone: _________________________________ E-Mail address: _________________________________________ Name to appear on Certificate: _____________________________________________________________________ Check here if a Certificate is not required _____ Mail to: Save Our Seine River Environment Inc. P.O. Box 83 208 Provencher Boulevard Winnipeg, MB R2H 3B4 Charitable Tax Reg. 89399 6975 RR0001 Contact: David Danyluk, SOS Coordinator Telephone: (204) 470-9247 [email protected] Aussi disponible en fran�ais |