For Immediate Release

Media Release: Carolinian Canada Kicks off its 30 for 30 Vision Campaign

London, ON. Thursday, March 22^nd – Today in St. Thomas, Carolinian Canada Coalition kicked off its 30 for 30 Vision Campaign to celebrate 30 years of significant conservation. Carolinian Canada and its partners are promoting a passport to adventure and a chance for the public to learn more about what makes the Carolinian Life Zone special.

Organizers are inviting public participation. Carolinian Canada and partners are rolling out 30 nature-themed events across southern Ontario this year. A Stand Up Paddleboard Adventure in Niagara, a “Spirit Walk” at Springwater Conservation Area in Elgin and a botanical hike in Windsor are just some examples of events taking place.

The events are not the only way to get involved! Participants can also challenge themselves to achieve a “personal best” and set their own goals. For example, one volunteer has committed to hiking, walking and/or biking 300 km of trails this year. The Campaign also provides the opportunity for people to share stories about their relationship with nature and their visions for creating greater connections between people and habitats.

Those who participate in 30 for 30 will have many opportunities to learn more about nature in their own backyards and how to steward healthy habitats. The Carolinian Life Zone, otherwise fondly known as the nation’s “Banana Belt” or “Canada’s Deep South” is a hotbed of plant and animal life. It ranks as the most highly biodiverse spot in all of Canada. Unfortunately, over 500 of the species found here are listed as rare, endangered or threatened.

“Reaching out to teach people about the importance of local species and the role they play in our ecosystem is a key part of our mandate. Our 30 for 30 Campaign reflects this,” says Dee Crilly, Carolinian Canada’s Partner Services Coordinator. “Participating in the campaign will inspire people to value nearby nature and challenge them to take an active role in the protection and preservation of our natural heritage.”

Here are some of the ways to participate.

• Celebrate with community: Get your 30 for 30 Passport to explore Canada’s Deep South as our community hosts a year of events across the Zone. Tally your adventures for the chance to win prizes!
• Challenge yourself: Experience the wonder of Carolinian Canada this year. Set yourself a 30 for 30 nature challenge, raise funds and motivate awareness. 
• Change the future and inspire action:  What sustains your sense of place in Carolinian Canada? Share your stories and visions for next 30 to 300 years. Join our community to advance a science-based Big Picture conservation strategy to create a green future and address urgent threats, together.

What: 30 for 30 Vision Campaign launch at Carolinian Canada’s AGM

Who: Passports are free to members with most 30 for 30 events open to the general public.

Host: Carolinian Canada Coalition. Sponsors: Conservation Ontario, Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority, and Ministry of Natural Resources.

Where: Canada Southern Railway Station, 750 Talbot Street, St. Thomas, ON

When: Thursday, May 22nd, 2014. 30 for 30 Vision Campaign. Conservation Awards are at 3:00 p.m. and an Information Fair and Refreshments – with more information about 30 for 30 is at 4:00 p.m.

Contact:

Michelle Kanter, Executive Director
Carolinian Canada Coalition, media@carolinian.org, 519-433-7077

Dee Crilly, Network Manager
Carolinian Canada Coalition, network@carolinian.org

About Carolinian Canada Coalition:  Since 1984, Carolinian Canada Coalition (CCC), now a registered charity, has been a leading ecoregional group in Canada. Stretching from Toronto to Windsor, the Carolinian Life Zone of southwestern Ontario is among North America's most vibrant and fragile ecoregions. CCC brings together diverse sectors, people and governments to collaboratively steward southwestern Ontario's unique habitat network, green infrastructure to support thriving wild and human communities in harmony for generations.

About Conservation Ontario: Conservation Ontario is made up of a network of 36 Conservation Authorities, community-based watershed management agencies dedicated to conserving, restoring and managing Ontario’s natural resources on a watershed basis.  Fourteen Conservation Authorities are located in the Carolinian Life Zone, and are founding partners in the promotion, restoration and stewardship of important natural features that have contributed to the environmental, community and economic resiliency of Carolinian Canada for over 30 years.

Brought to you by Carolinian Canada: a network of leaders growing healthy landscapes for a green future in the Carolinian Zone, Ontario’s extraordinary far south
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Canadian Registered Charity 83559 4722
inquiries: info@carolinian.org