Dawson Community Site

On Tuesday 27^th July, 2021 at 1:00 p.m., there will be an open meeting of the Dawson Citizens Improvement Association at the Community Hall, Meldrum Bay. This meeting will be open to the members and the public, but as certain restrictions still exist on numbers able to attend, we are taking reservations to attend on a first come, first served basis.

Reservations are to be made by e-mail to the Secretary at: office.dcia@gmail.com

Annual AGM

The Annual General Meeting of the Dawson Citizens Improvement Association will be held at the Community Hall, Meldrum Bay on Saturday 21st August, 2021 at 10:00 a.m.

This meeting will be open to the members and the public and the intention is to hold the meeting outside, weather permitting.

The Nature Conservancy of Canada recently acquired 7,608 hectares (18,800 acres) on Manitoulin Island at Vidal Bay. When combined with nearby and adjacent conservation lands that they have already conserved, this will become a protected area complex of 250 square kilometres (24,860 hectares/61,435 acres), the largest of its kind south of the Canadian shield in Ontario. In total, it will conserve an astonishing 86 kilometres of Great Lakes shoreline, more than twice what is currently protected at Bruce Peninsula National Park.

The intention of the Conservancy is to maintain the property in its natural state, but to allow day-use access for those who want to explore the trails, and learn about the flora and fauna and the biological significance of the land.

Here are a couple of useful links to information and videos to help you understand the scope and value of this important project. Much more information is to come over the coming months.

Go here for the web page for the project.
Go here for the recent Nature Talk of the project.

Here is a brief April 2022 update on the project status from Esme Batten, the Program Director- Midwestern Ontario, for the Nature Conservancy of Canada.

“The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) has been working very closely with representatives from both Robinson and Dawson Townships on topics like taxes at the Vidal Bay property. While NCC will be paying taxes to both the Robinson and Dawson Townships local Services and Roads Boards, there is some work underway to better understand funding programs that both communities currently benefit from. We are committed to continuing to work together closely with both Townships to find the best way forward with a view to a successful outcome for everyone. Given the complexity of this topic and the uncertainties moving forward we cannot comment further at this time.”