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by Brenda Fleming
The Lance
Wednesday, March 26, 2003
Members of the Save Our Seine River Environment Inc. group
have raised $110,000 toward the $1 million they need to purchase
and preserve a section of the Seine River Forest.
"I'm really, really happy," Save Our Seine fundraising chairperson
Bev Sawchuk said of the fundraising effort.
The $110,000 has been raised through individual donations from
people in the community, as well as other supporters. The Winnipeg
Foundation has provided a $25,000 grant and Investors Group has
donated $5,000.
Many donations of $25 and $50 have been received from individuals,
said Sawchuk. "It's really incredible how those $25 and $50 donations
add up." Save Our Seine was originally given a deadline by the
City of Winnipeg of December 31, 2002 to raise the $1 million,
but that deadline has been extended by one year.
Although the group still has much more money to raise, Sawchuk
said that she is optimistic about raising the $1 million fundraising
goal. The City of Winnipeg has committed $1 million toward the
purchase of the forest, and will also provide up to $600,000 to
match money raised by Save Our Seine members.
The section of the Seine River Forest earmarked for preservation
is known as Bois des Esprits and is located between Bishop Grandin
Boulevard and Warde Avenue.
Members of the national urban land trust organization Evergreen
Common Grounds are working together with Save Our Seine and the
City of Winnipeg in the fundraising effort. Save Our Seine members
have also received support in their efforts from wildlife artist
Robert Bateman.
Sawchuk and Save Our Seine coordinator David Danyluk met Bateman
when the artist visited the city last year and told him about
the project. Bateman has since sent the group a letter of support
and a $50 donation. He has also challenged Manitobans to meet
or beat his donation
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