While finally enjoying the warmth of spring, on June 7, 2025 the Friends of Presqu’ile Park held their 37th Annual General Meeting—bringing together dedicated volunteers, community members, and supporters to reflect on a year marked with significant achievements and to look ahead with refreshed motivation.
Honouring the Land and Our Roots
The meeting opened with a territorial acknowledgement, honouring the Mississauga Anishinaabeg and recognizing our neighbours of the Alderville First Nation as the traditional stewards of the land on which Presqu’ile Provincial Park rests.
A Milestone Year
Chair Terry Buchkowsky enthusiastically greeted attendees and reflected on 37 years of unwavering volunteer service, funding fundamental park initiatives, and promoting environmental awareness and action within the community. He acknowledged the challenges of Board recruitment and the current need to fill the Treasurer position; he invited anyone who may know an individual with an accounting background to refer to the organization for consideration. Terry offered heartfelt thanks to outgoing Treasurer Linda Alkenbrack for her six years of outstanding financial leadership.
Applause was also extended to key volunteers and partners who keep the wheels of the organization turning. Joan Selwood was recognized for her preparation of official minutes of Board meetings, ensuring accurate records are maintained. Janine McClintock was acknowledged for overseeing website content and social media engagement, and Chief Park Naturalist Kristen Osborne, for her valuable input producing the AGM PowerPoint presentation. Lastly, Bev Cook, the Communications Committee Chair, was appreciated for her countless hours of dedication to the foundation.
Brighton Mayor, Brian Ostrander then spoke on behalf of the Municipality, offering his kind words of thanks to the treasured volunteerism within the community.
2024 Highlights
Communications:
The Friends enhanced their outreach with promotional posters, regular Facebook updates, three e-newsletters, and a growing presence in the community. Articles in the Beacon Magazine, presentations to local clubs, and an informative website all helped tell the story of the Friends’ work. Director Bjorn Jacobsen, who also acts as photographer, continued to capture smiling faces at Friends events for consistent advocacy.
A notable outreach tool continues to be the Friends section of the park tabloid, a four-page feature that introduces visitors to the role that Friends play in enhancing the park. This publication serves as an accessible form of public education and will continue into 2025.
Education:
Two bursaries were awarded: a $3,000 J. Beverlie Cook Career Bursary to summer student and staff member Jack Anstead, who serves as Park Warden, and a $1,000 Staff Bursary to summer student staff member Ava Trefiak, who continues her work with the Park’s Discovery Program and assisting with Biodiversity Projects. The Bursary program continues unchanged in 2025.
The Friends proudly supported the Discovery Program once again, funding two six-week spring student positions and a 16-week Nature Centre Coordinator role. These spring positions focused on preparing educational spaces - including the setup of both the Nature and Lighthouse Centres - and assisting with the delivery of school programs to visiting classes. The Friends remain committed to enriching this vital educational initiative through staffing and resource support. We are pleased to welcome back Ava Trefiak as the 2025 Nature Centre Coordinator, who brings four years of experience with the Park’s Discovery team. Under her guidance the program will continue offering hands-on educational experiences centred on Presqu'ile's ecology, biodiversity and conservation goals.
Environmental Initiatives:
The Friends remained committed to ecological care in 2024. Common Tern research, under the guidance of Jennifer Arnold, Stephen Oswald and Ontario Parks staff focused on understanding ecology and declining populations and saw between 169 and 207 chicks fledged. A 16-year-old banded tern’s return was a poignant reminder of the park’s enduring significance to wildlife.
Tree planting efforts resulted in 459 new trees thriving in the park, while habitat regeneration and native nursery work continued with volunteer support. The never-ending invasive species removal project received continued volunteer and financial support throughout the year, as well as the bird-related programs as required.
Operations & Infrastructure:
Major improvements included the roofed “Audrey’s Place” boardwalk deck, a much-needed structure to provide protection from the elements, as well as trail monitoring and repairs, and boardwalk maintenance. A complete rebuild of the wildlife viewing platform at the lighthouse is planned for late summer, and the new projection screen for the amphitheatre has been delivered and will serve as a valuable tool for Discovery programs and special events. The upcoming and ambitious “Garage to Greatness” project will transform the old Nature Centre garage into a year-round classroom, aligning with the Friends’ educational mission.
Fundraising Successes:
Fundraising remained strong in 2024, thanks to the continued success of several core programs. The Saturday BBQs once again proved popular with visitors and campers. Bob Engley and his dedicated team of volunteers raised over $8,400. The Lighthouse Gift Shop operated two days a week in June and four days a week through July and August, bringing in over $45,000 in revenue - an increase of $3000 from the previous year. The 2024 “Let’s Go Camping” Raffle, raised $6,000. The Memorial Tree Planting Program remained a beloved way for families to honour loved ones while contributing to the park’s beauty; 44 trees were planted in 2024. Donations and bequests continue to support both general and environmental funds.
Grant Support:
Grants from Canada Summer Jobs and TD Friends of the Environment totaled $21,000 and supported the Nature Centre Coordinator as well as two student summer positions. The Brian Todd Memorial Community Fund granted $1,850 to purchase binoculars for youth programs. The School Bus Bursary Program also allocated additional funds to assist with bus rentals and allow for more students to have the opportunity to enjoy the park.
Additional applications are in the works for continued support of Phragmite control, environmental restoration and species protection initiatives.
Honouring Service
Volunteers are vast and invaluable within The Friends of Presqu'ile Park. Some assist in the Nature or Lighthouse Centers, others remove invasive species or construct and maintain structures we all enjoy. Whether monitoring trails, assisting with biodiversity projects, planting trees or lighting the BBQ, Presqu’ile Park is blessed to have the service of between 100-125 volunteers at any given time.
As such, the meeting concluded with a message of thanks from the Chair:
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all, for attending and taking an active role in this 37th Friends AGM,” Terry Buchkowsky closed, “I hope this AGM has been both meaningful and informative for you, and that you will continue to support the Friends as members and volunteers.”
Get Involved
Whether it’s planting trees, serving on a committee, staffing the BBQ, or supporting a campaign, there are many ways to make a difference. Visit www.friendsofpresquile.on.ca to learn more.
Let’s continue to foster, preserve, and appreciate this precious piece of Ontario together!
Terry Buchkowsky, Chair
