The Maitland Conservation Foundation administers the John Hindmarsh Environmental Trust Fund. The Trust Fund was created in 1996 to honour John’s contributions to environmental conservation and to continue the projects that were so special to him. John reforested marginal lands, implemented soil and water conservation techniques on his farm and was instrumental in the preservation of Naftel’s Creek and the Saratoga Swamp. He believed strongly in teaching others about the importance of our natural environment. Over the past 25 years the Trust Fund has built on John’s legacy by supporting a variety of conservation initiatives.
The Trust Fund is administered by a volunteer Board of Directors:
- Chair: Alison Lobb
- Secretary: Klaus Seeger
- MCF Liaison: Wendy Hoernig
- Secretary Treasurer: Lori Gordon
All donations to the JHETF are invested. Only the revenue from those investments is used for projects each year. The Trust Fund principle continues to grow. The Maitland Conservation Foundation, that administers the JHETF, is a registered charity and donations are tax deductible with your receipt.
Trust Fund Projects and Activities
- Annual Plant Sale and Spring Hike in May – at the Knights of Columbus Community Hall parking lot in Goderich. This event is held in partnership with the Maitland Trail Association. Due to COVID-19 restrictions the plant sale and spring hike have been postponed until 2022. Please note that all advance order for compost will be honoured. Trust Fund volunteers are working to get those orders delivered. Although guided walks are not possible this year, you are welcome to walk through the Maitland Woods. At this time of year the property is filled with migrating birds and spring wildflowers. Please follow the provincial directives – maintain physical distance from other visitors and use the tails for moving not gathering.
- Replacement of boardwalks and bridge at Naftel’s Creek Conservation Area. The JHETF is working to raise $20,000 for this project. The work is expected to get underway on 2022.
- The Turst Fund recently supported the replacement of the privy at Wawanosh Lake Conservation Area.
- Ash Tree Replacement – planting of a variety of native trees and shrubs in Conservation Areas to replace ash trees damaged by the Emerald Ash Borer.
Donations to the John Hindmarsh Environmental Trust Fund may be made on-line through the Maitland Conservation Foundation’s page at CanadaHelps. If you would like to donate by cheque please make it out to the Maitland Conservation Foundation and include JHETF in the memo line.
Cheques may be mailed to:
Maitland Conservation Foundation
Box 127,
Wroxeter, ON N0G 2X0
The Trust Fund also welcomes donations by e-Transfer at foundation@mvca.on.ca .
For more information about the Trust Fund please contact:
Alison Lobb, Chair – alisonlobb@tcc.on.ca
Phil Beard, MCF Interim Executive Director – pbeard@mvca.on.ca or 519-335-3557 extension 231
Lori Gordon, MCF Secretary-Treasurer – foundation@mvca.on.ca
