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Conservation Halton has made great strides in attracting volunteers and raising money, bringing in more than $500,000 in 2013, according to a recent report. The conservation authority recently released its Public Accountability Report, which tracks a number of key statistics over a three-year period. Statistics include community involvement, revenues and expenses. The report for 2011 to 2013 also includes facts and information on how Conservation Halton (CH) protects the environment, including forests, water and land. "We believe the services Conservation Halton provides to the community -- flood protection, environmental planning, outdoor education, recreation and the protec- Conservation Halton observes hike in fundraising, volunteers tion of the natural environment -- are delivered in a cost-effective and innovative way," said CH CAO Ken Phillips. The report shows an increase of 30 per cent in the number of volunteers -- from 1,633 in 2012 to 2,110 in 2013. "It's very rewarding to see the number of people volunteering their time to make a contribution to the environmental health of the watershed by planting trees, or just being out at our parks and with our programs," said Phillips. There was also an 18 per cent increase in funds raised by the Conservation Halton Foundation. In 2012, total funds raised were $428,968. This year, the foundation raised $505,345. The total budget from all sources -- governmental and fundraising efforts -- was $24,951,838, up by just over $90,000 from 2012. Four watershed municipalities, including Halton, Peel, Hamilton and the Township of Puslinch, contributed $7,684,265 to fund programs and operations for environmental planning, flood protection and conservation programs. Revenue from annual pass sales and park user fees fund the operations and capital infrastructure needs of the various conservation areas, including Glen Eden Ski and Snowboard Centre. No funds are derived from the tax base. The report also pointed out some areas of decline, including park visitation. The ice storm of 2013, which closed all of the parks for various intervals of time, led to a decline of 40,000 visitors, as trees were damaged and parks lost power. Attendance still reached close to 770,000. The number of people involved in education programs also declined slightly, with 68,787 attending in 2012 while only 66,021 came out last year. Conservation Halton is a communitybased environmental agency with a mandate to protect, restore and manage natural resources. 3 | Thursday, January 1, 2015 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Beaver www.insideHALTON.com Spotlight Beaver Trails Health 6 40 37 Arts Sports Classified 38 42 45 Dell Computers, Pharmasave Drugs, Metro, Home Hardware, Oakville United Taxi, Real Canadian Superstore, No Frills, Lowes Canada, Flying Flyer, New Homes, Michael Angelo's, Food Basics, Jysk Bed & Bath, Starsky Fine Foods, 2001 Audio Video, Hudson's Bay Co., Fortino's, Drug Trading, Atmosphere - FGL Sports, Target, Sport Chek, Canadian Tire Corp, Pharma Plus, Rexall, Michaels, Longo's Shoppers Drug Mart, Walmart, Brick Mattress, Freshco, Sears, Sobeys, Staples, The Brick, Sears Catalog Sore Feet, Sports Injury, Painful Ingrown Toenails? Plantar Warts? We can help! Exceptional footcare for all ages. · Routine footcare · Corns & calluses · Plantar warts · Heel/arch/foot pain · Diabetic footcare and education · Thick or ingrown nails · Nail surgery · Sports related foot problems & injuries · Custom made orthotics · Sigvaris® compression stockings · Evenings and saturday appointments available · New patients welcome! J. Richard Werkman chiropodist *All flyers not necessarily delivered to all homes For home delivery & customer service call 905-631-6095, 5300 Harvester Rd., Burlington New subscriptions call 905-631-6095 or subscribe online at www.oakvillebeaver.com Get happy feet with custom made orthotics! located on the north/west corner of maple grove dr. and cornwall rd. 1495 Cornwall Rd., Suite 33, Oakville T: 905-845-4817 www.werkman.ca the sale that makes all our other sales nervous. upto 70%off. Voted Number 1 Financial Planner 11 Years Your WInter Just Got even better WIth the burroWs WInter sale. vIsIt us startInG december 26, 2014 to experIence fIne, european mensWear collectIons, expert alteratIons and professIonal advIce, rIGht In the heart of oakvIlle's herItaGe core, at up to 70% off. stop bY and Warm up WhIle You see What our WInter sale has to offer. The burrows winTer sale. starts december 26,2014. Peter Watson MBA, CFP, R.F.P., CIM, FCSI Certified Financial Planner Since 1991 DIAMOND 905.842.0232 burrowscloThiers.com 200 lakeshore road e, oakville 220 Randall Street · Downtown Oakville Phone: 905.842.2100 www.peterwatsoninvestments.com