Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of the members of the Fondation Massawippi Foundation will be held on Saturday, May 6th, 2023 at 10:00 a.m.

The meeting will be held in person at the St. Elizabeth Church, Community Hall, 3115 Capelton Road, North Hatley, Quebec.

  1. To receive the Corporation’s financial statements and the report of the President for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022;
  2. To elect directors for 2023.
  3. To transact such other business of the Corporation as may properly come before the meeting.

Dated at North Hatley this 17th day of April, 2023

Jane Meagher
Secretary
Fondation Massawippi Foundation

 

AGENDA

Annual General Meeting of Members

10:00 am – Saturday, May 6, 2023

St. Elizabeth Community Hall, North Hatley

  1. Opening of meeting by Chair – Jane Meagher
  2. Constitution of Meeting – Quorum
  3. Approval of Previous Minutes – June 18, 2022
  4. Report of the President – Margot Heyerhoff
  5. Presentation & Acceptance of 2022 Financial Statements – Claude Séguin
  6. Election of Directors for 2023
  7. Adjournment

 

We are hearing all too often about children spending too much time indoors and in front of screens (phones, tablets, computers and TV).  Have you heard about nature deficit disorder?

What happened to parents telling their kids to stay outdoors until the street lights came on? Or kids playing street hockey, using their backyards or simply walking to buy a Popsicle? Studies are showing that children are suffering from a lack of being outdoors.

How are we going to ensure that they, the future stewards of the environment and our planet, participate in keeping it alive? The answer to this question is that we need to expose children to nature, starting at a young age, building upon their natural curiosity.

There is a pre-existing bond that children have with nature. Whether they are sitting on the grass, beach or curbside, floating little sticks or leaves down rivulets of rainwater, it all seems like such a natural way to spend time outdoors. They jump in puddles, even as their teacher or parents say Nooo! What better way to spend time outside than walking through the mud for the sheer joy of feeling your shoes being sucked in and the delicious sound of their release.

Time in nature is soothing.

Environmental education is important in developing effective ties to nature, the local environment and positive attitudes towards the earth we live in. It is important to give children the opportunity to bond with the natural world and create an affinity for the environment. By building the Massawippi Trail both in the village of North Hatley (Scowen Park) and on the ridge in Sainte-Catherine-de-Hatley, the Massawippi Trust has given the public the right to walk ‘on the wild side’. Testimonial after testimonial are filled with praise for the positive experience of each walker.

By getting kids outdoors with their schools or their families and friends, we are giving them access to a healthy experience, offering them the benefits of physical activity as well as improving their cognitive skills. They will perform better and be less open to the risks arising from stress and obesity. We have even seen a link between children who spend time in nature and the development of pro-environmental attitudes and behaviours as adults.

There are several factors shaping the new reality. Often, both parents are working and sometimes hold more than one job each. Children are highly scheduled with their activities and have less free time for play. There is a fear of crime. ‘What if my child is hurt or worse?’ in what is perceived as an unsafe environment. There is a diminishing amount of natural space as more and more people live in cities. In 2021 nearly three in four Canadians live in large urban centres with populations of over 100,000 people (Statistics Canada 2022-02-09 www150.statcan.gc.ca ). Race, ethnicity and socio-economic status may also influence a child’s access to nature.

One study, conducted by Balmford, Clegg, Coulson, and Taylor (2002) showed that eight-year-old children were more proficient at identifying popular Pokémon characters than they were at recognising common local flora or fauna.

When thinking ahead to the future of the environment and our world, we need to play a role in exposing children to nature so that they can learn to love it and not fear it. “What’s important is that children have an opportunity to bond with the natural world, to learn to love it and feel comfortable in it, before being asked to heal its wounds” (Sobel, 1996, p. 10)

In the famous words of Jacques Cousteau, “People protect what they love.” By getting outside, we will develop deeper connections to the environment and conservation helping the love grow in our hearts.

The A.G.M. was successfully held via videoconference on June 19th

Documents from the meeting:

Agenda AGM June 19

2021FMF MCT Draft Minutes (June 27, 2020)

Directeurs Administrateurs 2021

I think many of us are grateful that 2020 is over and are looking forward to starting anew in 2021.

The Massawippi Trust holds 1200 acres of pristine forest and land under conservation around the shores of Lake Massawippi. We have also built close to 14 kilometers of trails. We kept these trails open during the pandemic. This has enabled people to get out and enjoy nature, fresh air and help balance their mental and physical health.  We have been truly discovered in 2020, after 10 years of existence!

Sometimes alone, with a dog in tow, with a friend or family member, people have come to the Massawippi Trail whether at Scowen Park (North Hatley) or in St. Catherine de Hatley simply to GET OUTSIDE… 

OUTSIDE their 4 walls and INTO a green breathing space.

 

2021 is our 10th year anniversary

Our motto is: Discover Participate Invest

Discover: our mission to conserve land and to create a healthy community for the 5 municipalities around Lake Massawippi; your passion for the environment and beauty of the natural landscape; the trails and the health benefits for young and old, including our four legged friends. 

The four elements of conservation include: protection, research, recreation and education. Which one will you discover first?

Participate: in the conversation about conservation and healthy living; by walking on the trails as recreation but also an opportunity to learn; in sharing the sense of belonging to the community. The conservation mission requires participation. Do you want to participate?

Invest: in a healthy lifestyle that includes environmentally friendly choices; in your passion for a good life; support the work of the Massawippi Foundation and Trust financially, as a donor of land, or as a volunteer.  The Foundation has raised over 4 million dollars since its inception. In order to continue and ensure the perpetuity of our work, we need to build an endowment fund. Contributions come in many forms. You can invest yourself in the mission with time, ideas and financially.