2/ August 2023 The South Marysburgh Mirror South Marysburgh’s Natural Heritage Enriched with Official Designation of Monarch Point Four thousand acres of land along Prince Edward County’s south shore, a size- able portion of it in South Marysburgh, received official designation and protection on Monday, July 31. Minister of the Environ- ment, Conservation and Parks, David Piccini, stood on the shoreline at Point Petre and declared the area is now protected from development which “will ensure future generations can enjoy the natural beauty of the prov- ince”. Monarch Point is the first new conservation area creat- ed by the province in over 10 years. Why it Matters The reserve is named in recognition of Monarch butterflies. Large numbers of them use this part of the south shore as a vital jump off and landing area in their migration south and north each year. Weighing less than a paper clip, said Minis- ter Piccini, they can fly as much as 80 km a day. Pre- serving the stretch of shore- line for Monarchs as well as the various plant and animal species—including the Blanding Turtles—and wet- lands is of international sig- nificance and puts South Marysburgh and the County on the map as an important global biodiversity area. MPP for Bay of Quinte which includes the County, Todd Smith, welcomed Minis- ter Piccini, crediting him with a years-long commitment to preserving the Lake Ontario shoreline. As MPP for the neighbouring riding of North- umberland-Peterborough South, Piccini, Smith said, has worked equally hard to con- serve shoreline in the Brighton area. “The creation of the Mon- arch Point Conservation Re- serve ensures the preserva- tion of Prince Edward Coun- ty’s south shore. It is the product of great collabora- tion between our govern- ment, the local community, and partners to designate this land as protected now and for future generations,” Smith said. One of the critical part- ners, he said, is the municipali- ty of Prince Edward County, adding that without their ad- vocacy, the reserve would not have become a reality. PEC Mayor Steve Ferguson underscored that when local parties work together it can make a difference and projects of this scale can be achieved. “We are thrilled that Ontar- io’s first new conservation re- serve in 10 years is right here in our backyard,” the mayor (Continued on page 13) The County’s south shore at Point Petre was the scenic backdrop for the Province of Ontario’s an- nouncement officially designating the 4,000 acres of land in the area as the Monarch Point Conserva- tion Reserve. At the podium is MPP for Bay of Quinte Todd Smith, and to the right is Environment, Con- servation and Parks Minister David Piccini who made the announcement; PEC Mayor Steve Ferguson; Mark Stabb, Program Director, Central Ontario-East, Nature Conservancy of Canada; and John Hirsch, President of the South Shore Joint Initiative and South Marysburgh Councillor. —Mirror Photo The South Marysburgh Mirror T: 613.471.1816 August 2023 Volume 38 Number 07 Published monthly by Barbara McConnell, 41 St. Philip Street, PO Box 131, Milford, ON KOK 2P0 E: themirror@kos.net ISSN Number 1181-6333 (Print Edition) ISSN Number 2292-5708 (Online Edition) The South Marysburgh Mirror gratefully acknowledges the support of the South Marysburgh Recreation Committee and St. Philip’s Church