November 20, 2020

Dear Members and Supporters,

I hope that you and your loved ones are keeping well.  Despite Covid-19, your Foundation has had a good year.  Although several nature events had to be cancelled, we did redesign the Dr Cathy Charles Bird Count as a ‘stay-at-home’ count and, with 12 families participating, had excellent results.  The quieter time enabled us to move important projects forward.  For example, we designed a new website and launched it in October.  (The old one ran on technology that was no longer supported.)  And we produced a striking video of the Lower Oxtongue River.  You can find it on the new website, under Protected Property: The Lower Oxtongue River.  And volunteers were able to clear and create signed walking trails at the Marsh’s Falls property, which we hope members can enjoy in 2021.  Finally, the mortgage held on the property was reduced significantly: one final payment remains due. 

Increase in Annual Membership Fee to $40

At a strategic planning session the Board decided that, after 35 years, we should increase the annual membership fee to $40 from $25.  We believe the benefits have increased substantially.  Members are now able to participate in over seven nature events each year and are kept up to date with timely newsletters, Facebook and Twitter.  Additionally, the website provides many videos, community histories, and local memoirs produced or acquired by the Foundation.

Langmaid’s Island

In early 2018, Langmaids Island Corp (LIC) submitted applications to the Township of Lake of Bays and the Town of Huntsville to rezone and develop Langmaid’s Island into what was initially 36, and currently 32, lots, with parking for 105 cars on two mainland properties.  Since then, the Foundation and the Lake of Bays Association (LOBA) have been working together to protect the island from development.  Langmaid’s Island is designated as a ‘Natural Heritage Area’ and the Township Official Plan contains a special section that protects the island’s natural values from incompatible uses.  The island also qualifies as a Provincial ‘Cultural Heritage Landscape’. 

In late 2018, the planners from the municipalities recommended the applications be denied. Immediately, LIC filed an appeal on the grounds that the municipalities’ response was delayed beyond a mandatory time period.

The appeal, to be heard by the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT), is set for February 2021. Jointly, the Foundation and LOBA are parties to the appeal, as are the Township of Lakes of Bays, the Town of Huntsville, the District of Muskoka and Kelly Zytarak, a local resident.  In September, all parties participated in two days of a mediation process.  This was unsuccessful. The appeal hearing is estimated to take 20-25 days and cost the Foundation and LOBA $100,000. 

We want to thank our many members who supported us with donations to the Langmaids Protection Fund (LPF) in 2018-19.  These funds have covered our costs to date.  Recently, the Foundation and LOBA agreed on a joint fundraising effort to replenish the LPF to enable us to cover professional fees for the appeal process.  The fund is administered by LBHF, which is a registered charity.  Thus all donations to LBHF receive a receipt for tax purposes.  If you are concerned with the development of Langmaid’s Island, we ask that you read the enclosed letter from LOBA and LBHF.  LOBA members will be receiving the same letter. 

The year ahead will be challenging and, once again, we are asking for your assistance.

First, please renew your membership (this is not necessary for Life Members or those who have done so with their LOBA membership renewal).  Second, if you share our concern about the impact of the proposed development, please donate to the Langmaid’s Protection Fund.  All amounts will receive a 2020 charitable tax receipt for a deduction on a Canadian tax return.

Donations and membership renewals can be made by:

• PayPal or credit card
• Interac e-Transfer to donations@lakeofbaysheritage.ca
• Cheque (download Membership & Donation form)

US taxpayers can support our work with a gift that is tax deductible in the US.  Thanks to our partnership with American Friends of Canadian Conservation you can help us protect land in the Lake of Bays Township and watershed with a contribution of cash or securities, and receive a tax benefit in the US.  See details here.

The Foundation operates with a minimum of expenses.  We expect 2021 to be another busy and productive year.  At this year’s virtual Annual General Meeting the following people were elected to serve on the Board for 2020-21: Ian Beverley, Jim Cade, Margaret Casey, Mike Kaptein, Tracey Macey, Mark McLean, Simon Miles, Judith Mills, Brian Simpson, Rick Stronks, Penny Thomas and Gloria Woodside. 

Thank you for your continuing support for heritage in our community, and please contact me with any suggestions at (416) 433-2174 or info@lakeofbaysheritage.ca

Sincerely,

Judith Mills

President