The “Evans Sisters’ Stage”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 21, 2020

Re: Donation from the Estate of Donna Vera Evans Bushell to the Catfish Creek Conservation Authority

The Estate of Donna Vera Evans Bushell has committed $335,000 to the Catfish Creek Conservation Authority to support the construction of a new ‘sustainable stage’ at Springwater Forest.

The sustainable stage will be called the “Evans Sisters’ Stage” and is scheduled to open next year for weddings, educational events such as the Carolinian Forest Festival, and the long-standing Fred Eaglesmith Charity Picnic. The stage will be built sustainably, including a green roof and tree planting to offset the emissions involved in construction. The stage will not have to travel far either, as the structure will be built nearby at Steelway Building Systems. Not only are the acoustic benefits of a green roof appealing, but the installation will serve as an educational tool focusing on the benefits of green space and water filtration.

“It’s a phenomenal gift … it will have a real impact over the next ten, twenty years,” said Rick Cerna, Chairperson of the Authority. “We can generate much needed revenue from the stage rental that will offset the cost of delivering provincially mandated programs such as flood control.” Additional projects supported by the Bushell Estate will be announced soon. All of the contributions have been made to help promote the Springwater Conservation Area, which is home to one of the largest remaining tracts of Old Growth Carolinian Forest in Canada. The goal is to attract more visitors to the Conservation Area and campground.

A ground-breaking ceremony and presentation will occur at Springwater Day Use Area at 1pm on Tuesday, May 26th where CCCA Board members, staff and representatives of the Estate will be on site. Due to limits on gathering size, the ceremony is by invite only.

Catfish Creek Conservation Authority is a community-based, non-profit, registered charitable environmental protection organization that protects, restores, and manages the natural resources within the Catfish Creek watershed. For more information on Catfish Creek Conservation Authority, please visit www.catfishcreek.ca.

Donna Vera Evans Bushell passed away November 9, 2019, in her hundredth year, the last of her family. Donna’s passion was to plant trees and reminisce about her ancestors and friends while her sister Doris Evans taught music as a church organist. The oldest sister, Thelma Joiner, taught elementary school around Aylmer for forty-five years and researched local North Yarmouth history. All three sisters shared a love of their heritage as descendants of the pioneer Westlake, Penhale and Gilbert families who settled along the North Edgeware Road in Yarmouth. Their collected historical papers will eventually be deposited in the Elgin County Archives. The new “Evans Sisters’ Stage” at Springwater Forest will be built in memory of Donna, Doris, and Thelma, and for the enjoyment of local residents and visitors to the community.

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For more information, contact:

Christopher Wilkinson,

General Manager / Secretary-Treasurer

(519) 773 – 9037

[email protected]

Or

Emily Febrey,

Community Outreach Technician

(519) 773 – 9037

[email protected]