NCC appreciates all the support

Thanks all around!

I'd like to thank Bill Rea for his fine article on Eddie and Edie Creed's donation of Happy Valley Forest lands to the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) (Sentinel, Aug. 1).

As you can imagine, many people make such projects and events a reality, and I appreciate Rea's attention to detail and to recognizing all involved, from the mayor, councillors and staff of King Township to partners such as York Region and financial sponsors such as the Oak Ridges Moraine Foundation. We're very grateful for the King Sentinel's ongoing coverage of our Happy Valley Forest conservation work.

I'd also like to offer a personal thanks to our host, Dr. Henry Barnett, for his stalwart support and for generously giving (in so many ways) to the cause of conservation in the Happy Valley Forest. You may recall that during the winter Dr. Barnett and his family also hosted the memorable visit by Prime Minister Stephen Harper (and his entourage) to this beautiful and significant part of King Township.

Another thank you goes to the staff of the King Township library system. For months now, library staff have been setting up and circulating a display outlining NCC's Happy Valley Forest project. Displayed with our poster are field guides and

other books to help readers, young and old, learn more about this wonderful woodland and its wildlife.

And finally, I'd like to thank Mr. and Mrs. Creed, whose generous land donation is helping to fulfill the dream of NCC and our supporters of a protected, pristine and peaceful nature reserve in the heart of the Happy Valley Forest. The Creeds are one of many private landowners who have helped to keep the forest and its biodiversity intact. The ongoing stewardship and concern of all these landowners will help mean a healthy future for this wonderful woodland.