A focus of the Foundation for nearly 30 years has been its memorial forest program with nearly 11,000 memorial tree seedlings planted. Annual donations are received for trees, dedicated to loved ones, at four Foundation memorial forests throughout the lower Thames River watershed:
- Sharon Creek Memorial Forest near Delaware (annual dedication service in September at C.M. Wilson Conservation Area near Blenheim)
- McKinlay Woodlands Memorial Forest at Campbell Conservation Area near Merlin (new) (annual dedication service in September at C.M. Wilson Conservation Area near Blenheim)
- Rowsom’s Tilbury West Memorial Forest near Tilbury (annual dedication service in September at C.M. Wilson Conservation Area near Blenheim)
- Tilbury Northside Memorial Forest in Tilbury (annual dedication service in September at Tilbury Northside Park in Tilbury)
The value of this memorial forest program has been reinforced, with less than two percent tree cover coupled with the demise of ash trees from the Emerald Ash Borer, in the lower Thames watershed. This program also helps support conservation lands and education programs of the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority. Recognized for their ongoing support of the memorial forest program are the McKinlay Funeral Homes of Chatham and Blenheim, and the Tilbury and District Horticultural Society.
Friends and families dedicate tree seedlings to loved ones who have passed away by contacting the Foundation, requesting a tree donation card and making a $40 donation for each tree seedling. Next of kin receive a certificate and an invitation to an annual memorial forest dedication service.
Tax receipts will be issued for the full amount of all donations of $20.00 or more.
A 15% fee will be deducted from donations to help cover the administrative costs of the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Foundation.
Please mail completed donor card and donations to:
Lower Thames Valley Conservation Foundation
R.R.#1, 8449 Irish Drive,
Mount Brydges, ON – N0L 1W0
Email: [email protected]