Gaawii gitziimnaanig gii-miingosiinaanig maanda Ki.
Gda daawmaanaanig gda binoojiimnaanig.
We didn't inherit the Earth from our parents. We're borrowing it from our children.
– Chief Seattle
2021 Anniversary Patches
ONLY 11 sets of our 10th Anniversary patches depicting L-Lake, Ipperwash, Mystery Falls and the Heart of the Trails are available for a $20 donation. Please contact Linda Attard lsntlindaa@gmail.com or 519-243-1596
Linda and Lee Attard
Linda and Lee Attard met Klaus and Marilyn Keunecke at an Octoberfest dinner/dance at the Port Franks Community Centre in 2011. Linda had recently retired from working in London and heard about a trail group that had just been formed in the Port Franks area. Someone pointed out Klaus and Marilyn, founding members of Lambton Shores Nature Trails, so Linda asked about the group’s work. She and Lee had young grandchildren at the time, and she thought the youngsters would enjoy hiking the trails when they visited. The Keuneckes invited Linda to a board meeting to learn more and well … she ended up joining the team! It wasn’t long until Linda took on the role of Treasurer, a position she has maintained to this day.
Linda says Lee became involved by osmosis! She “volunteered” him to join her with trail work and, before long, Linda notes, he was doing more on the trails than she was. Two memorable projects for Lee were at the Ausable River Cut CA -- the construction of the accessible platform in 2014 and the dune boardwalk in 2022. Among other things, Lee helps with the installation and removal of the kayak/canoe launch at the Ausable Cut each spring and fall. He has found that many of the practical skills he used in his career in plumbing and construction have been put to good use in LSNT projects over the years.
Linda also helps with trail work, but she plays a critical administrative role with LSNT. As Treasurer, Linda maintains LSNT’s financial matters, grant applications and membership records. She credits her working career as a bookkeeper with her ability to manage these tasks. Linda is also the driving force behind LSNT’s Holiday Market in the fall and Health & Wellness Bazaar in the spring. She recruits vendors and volunteers to make it happen and coordinates a myriad of “to-dos” to make sure both events are successful!
Linda and Lee believe it’s important to give back to the community in which you live … volunteerism, whether through their kids’ activities when they were younger, or with service groups as retirees, is an important part of their lives. As Linda says, “We love the people we have met through volunteering and we love this community!”
Thank you, Linda and Lee, for all the ways that you enrich your community.
Boardwalk Extension
Conservationist of the Year Award
Conservationist of the Year Award
Seventeen volunteers committed a total of 42 hours to extend the existing boardwalk at the Ausable River Cut CA … to help hikers navigate the recently altered trail route and further protect the dune vegetation. The first step was to haul in all the necessary materials for the project, including twenty 16’ 2X4’s, over 200 deckboards and a
Seventeen volunteers committed a total of 42 hours to extend the existing boardwalk at the Ausable River Cut CA … to help hikers navigate the recently altered trail route and further protect the dune vegetation. The first step was to haul in all the necessary materials for the project, including twenty 16’ 2X4’s, over 200 deckboards and a myriad of tools, a job made easier with many hands. As is usual for LSNT projects, the work crew quickly settled into an organized pace with frame construction and layout and attachment of the deck boards. Of course, the process also included several bouts of problem-solving! The result is a gently winding extension of the existing boardwalk (constructed in 2022), up the slope of the dune into the woods. Some of our group also took the time to rake back the leaves from the accessible Storywalk path.
A big thank you to Mike, Christine, Bernard, Darren, Michelle, Tony, Gage, Lee T, Chris, Winston, Lee M, Todd, Sandra, Sam, Ed, Ross and Mary Lou.
Conservationist of the Year Award
Conservationist of the Year Award
Conservationist of the Year Award
LSNT has been honoured by the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority with their “Conservationist of the Year Award”. To be acknowledged and validated in this manner makes us very proud of the collaborative efforts of our board, dedicated volunteers, community partners and supporters. Our ongoing, positive working relationship with ABCA,
LSNT has been honoured by the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority with their “Conservationist of the Year Award”. To be acknowledged and validated in this manner makes us very proud of the collaborative efforts of our board, dedicated volunteers, community partners and supporters. Our ongoing, positive working relationship with ABCA, coordinated by Nathan Schoelier, facilitates efforts to protect our natural areas, but also make them accessible to nature-lovers. Thank you for this very special recognition!