Did you know that Ontario Parks has 330 parks, of which 100 are classed as ?Operating Parks'? 45 Parks help to fund all of the other parks in Ontario and 80% of the funding comes from Park users.

?It is not all funded by the tax payer', said Anne Craig, of Ontario Parks, at the Friends South Eastern Zone workshop on Saturday, Sept 18.

The Friends of Presqu'ile hosted representatives from Friends Groups from Bon Echo, Charleston Lake, Frontenac, Ferris, Sandbanks, Sandy Bay and Massasauga Parks in a day long workshop.

Using The Friends of Presqu'ile's past experiences to stimulated discussion, topics included: how to structure groups, strategic planning, fund-raising, and event planning.

The workshop started with an informative presentation by Anne Craig detailing the survey statistics that are available to Friends' organisations and marketing plans and thoughts for the coming years.

The session generated a number of learning points for all attendees and all thought it worthwhile.

The day ended with a walk of the new Boardwalk lead by Friends of Presqu'ile's Schools Interpreter, Cortney Lee-Comeau, who is introducing the Kids ?n Nature program to local schools this year. The program was launched in May and by the end of October the Marsh program will have reached over 1500 public school students from four school boards in the region.