News Release - Highlights of the Meewasin Board Meeting November 20, 2009

1. Meewasin received the Five Year Strategic Plan: 2009-2013 “Focus on the Meewasin Valley”.
   
   Background: The Five Year Strategic Plan for Meewasin is crafted from the foundations set by past generations including the Meewasin 100 Year Concept Plan 1979, the Meewasin Development Plan, extensive research on the State of the Valley, consultation with Meewasin’s three participating parties (City of Saskatoon, Province of Saskatchewan, University of Saskatchewan), Meewasin advisory committees and the general public.
   
   Focus is the theme for the next five years on: conservation management, major asset refreshment and replacement, educating the community and visitors about Meewasin and the Meewasin Valley, expanding and updating the Meewasin Trail system, and improving Meewasin’s capacity to meet its goals.
   
   Conservation
   
   • To up date Conservation Zone planning and monitoring of Conservation Areas, Nature Experience Areas, Riverbank Parks, and Preserves along the riverbank for the purpose of protecting habitat including our source of drinking water;
     
   • To support research and protection of heritage assets focusing on Factoria, Rocky Island, lime kilns, and the Moose Woods Trail;
     
   • To protect habitat from fragmentation, from invasive and noxious weeds, from ecological degradation, and by restoration;
     
   • To facilitate edible landscapes, orchards and urban agriculture;
     
   • To act as a central clearing house on environmental issues;
     
   • To secure long-term stewardship of lands currently outside of public protection.
   
   Development
   
   • To develop a new Meewasin Valley Centre;
   • To refresh Beaver Creek Conservation Area;
   • To expand opportunities for winter appreciation of the valley with a new outdoor skating facility and ski-trails;
   • To take the lead in sustainability by establishing a corporate stance on environmental performance;
   • To expand recreation opportunities within the valley.
   • To expand the Meewasin Trail as a multi-purpose trail with specific goals in each section of the city;
   • To expand connections to a city-wide alternative transportation network;
   • To create specialized trails such as exercise loops and interpretive hikes;
   • To enhance trails with trail branding, distance markers and trail etiquette programs.
   
   Education
   
   • To continue to support existing audiences including grade 3 and grade 5 school programs, other school programs, and the general public;
   • To develop new initiatives expanding the Meewasin cultural story including recognition of diversity, and the Meewasin natural story with the impacts of climate change and water issues.
   
   Fund Development
   Background: Of the $90 million that Meewasin has spent in the valley in park, interpretive centre and Meewasin Trail development in the past 30 years, $35 million (39%) has been raised from outside sources through a number of fund development programs.
   
   In the next five years Meewasin will:
   
   • Deepen relationships with Meewasin and contributors;
   • Continue to seek project oriented grants;
   • Secure ecological gifts
   • Continue to engage donors through legacy donations and sponsorships (trees, bricks, benches, seating nodes, larger amenities);
   • Improve the sophistication of fund raising;
   • Renew statutory funding.



2. Meewasin approved the concept plan for River Landing Riverfront I which includes improvements to the site including water features at the “river tributary” and plantings at the “river garden” west end of the site.


3. Meewasin approved the application by Ehrenberg Homes Ltd. to construct a nine-unit condominium at 316 Saskatchewan Crescent (adjacent to Rotary Park).

For more information contact Susan Lamb or Doug Porteous at Meewasin 665-6887
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