MEDIA RELEASE:
Enhanced Community and Collaboration Space at Birds Canada Headquarters
For release: September 22, 2023
Port Rowan, ON – On Friday, local MPP Bobbi Ann Brady met with Birds Canada to celebrate a $144,700 Capital grant awarded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) to support critical infrastructure and technology upgrades to the Birds Canada Headquarters in Port Rowan, Ontario.
“I’ve always been fascinated by this building and the fact that it’s the national headquarters for Birds Canada. It’s a privilege to take part in this ceremony today to celebrate upgrades to this building to make it better for those who work here and for visitors,” said Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Bobbi Ann Brady.
The project will create a safe, accessible, flexible and modern community gathering and workspace which celebrates local heritage, culture and the natural environment. The project will also create more energy efficient spaces with better indoor air quality, more effective meeting and gathering spaces and technologies, and safer, healthier outdoor places for the community to gather and work.
Every year, Birds Canada facilities hosts thousands of visitors to the region to enjoy bird and nature viewing, attend events, participate in meetings and workshops with other professionals and community members, and attend formal and informal education, personal and professional development programming.
Thanks to the support from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, they are able to expand and improve their indoor and outdoor collaboration, meeting, and event space including technology and accessibility upgrades, outdoor shade, and replace the heating and cooling system with a new energy efficient and climate-friendly technology. These improvements are absolutely essential to create a welcoming, safe, and productive experience for visitors, community members and our colleagues using the facilities.
“Birds Canada has been a fixture in the local community, and the global bird conservation and scientific community for over 60 years,” said Stu Mackenzie, Birds Canada’s Director of Strategic Assets. “These improvements help to cement Birds Canada as a leader in the development and delivery of community opportunities to explore the outdoors and engage in environmental education in tandem with a vibrant research and conservation program. We are thrilled to invite everyone to come to the Birds Canada headquarters to enjoy improvements made possible by the Ontario Trillium Foundation.”
The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF), an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations celebrates 40 years of grant-making in Ontario and making a lasting impact in communities. Last year, OTF invested over $110M into 1,022 community projects and partnerships, which included funding for the Government of Ontario’s Community Building Fund. Visit otf.ca to learn more.
Left to right: Patrick Nadeau, President & CEO – Gregor Beck, Senior Strategist – Stu Mackenzie, Director of Strategic Assets – MPP Bobbi Ann Brady and Anne McConnell Past Chair. Photo: Gregg McLachlan
About Birds Canada:
Birds Canada is the country’s only national organization dedicated to bird conservation. Our mission is to drive action to increase the understanding, appreciation, and conservation of birds in Canada. Every day, our thousands of caring donors, 75+ passionate staff, and 74,000+ outstanding volunteers are taking action to help us better understand, appreciate, and conserve birds and their habitats.