From left, Tracy Lambert, Mayor Mike Smith, Victoria Serda, Jack Kelly, Ken Pace.

Julie Vooght’s nomination of local environmental group, SauGreen for the Environment, has brought another $5,000 toward replanting at Fairy Lake in Southampton. From an August 16 media release, Vooght nominated SauGreen as one of the charitable groups to receive funding from her Power Workers Union (PWU) for another phase of the rehabilitation, since over 500 trees were removed last winter due to an emerald ash borer infestation.

“The Power Workers Union takes nominations from its members and selects good projects to fund every year,” said Jack Kelly of the PWU. “This project stood out due to the extensive community collaborations and necessity due to the dramatic cutting of so many ash trees, and we are happy to be a partner in restoring this nature park.”

“We are hoping to continue with the environmental remediation of Fairy Lake and its waters up and down stream to really engage all ages and enhance our natural environment,” said Victoria Serda, Project Manager of SauGreen. “We are grateful for our newest sponsor, the PWU, which will allow us to leverage funding and services from public and private partnerships to revitalize the park with less cost to the taxpayer and more community benefits.”

“SauGreen has been an important community partner on Fairy Lake’s Nature Park since 2011,” said Mayor Mike Smith from Saugeen Shores. “We hope to continue working with their volunteers and partnering community groups like them to improve the quality of life for our residents and visitors, and provide outdoor nature experiences for all ages and abilities.”

Community consultation will happen in the fall and winter, with hopes to do some more planting in the spring, possibly in Matheson Park along the fence to GC Huston Public School. SauGreen invites all to follow updates on SauGreen’s Facebook page, or to contact Victoria Serda at treesforsaugeen@gmail.com to be on the email list.