Lakefield Herald Special Report

Woodworkers wanted

by Anita Locke

Kawartha Heritage Conservancy (KHC) and Lakefield Youth Unlimited (LYU) are seeking partnerships in the area with people who would be willing to be mentors and assist youth in learning new skills.

KHC is seeking people in the community with woodworking skills to assist in a project where young people would learn to assemble bluebird birdhouses.

The group is hoping to be able to construct six to 12 of the houses.

KHC is asking community members to supply the wood, cut the pieces (from a template which would be provided by KHC) and show the youth how to assemble the birdhouses.

KHC and LYU are hoping to have the birdhouses completed in time to be placed on fence posts at the KHC Sharpe land trust property this spring.

Debbie Mack, a KHC Board member says, “Through this particular project, we are creating a circle of partnership and community involvement between adult mentors and youth.”

Established in 2001, Kawartha Heritage Conservancy is a not-for-profit land trust that works with landowners and the community to identify and protect key ecological and cultural features of the Kawartha bioregion.

In May 2006, Alice Sharpe donated her 100 acre (40 ha) property to the Conservancy.

“The protection of our land fits well with our personal values – we feel that the special features of our land need to be protected for generations to come,” she said.

Situated between Young’s Point and Lakefield in the Township of Smith-Ennismore-Lakefield, the Sharpe property encompasses part of a provincially significant wetland, is home to a provincially threatened bird species and a plant that is rare in the County of Peterborough as well as creeks, forests, old fields and other diverse habitats.

Lakefield Youth Unlimited is a satellite of Kawartha Youth for Christ, working together with local residents, businesses, churches, schools and government for the youth of our community.

The organization aims to lead and support projects in Lakefield that build community and provide key opportunities for the personal and spiritual development of our youth.

Among its many activities, they host a weekly gym night, after-school program, cooking class, seasonal programs, mentoring and other initiatives.

If you are interested in helping with the bluebird birdhouse project, contact Kawartha Heritage Conservancy at (705) 743-5599 or email conservancy@kawarthaheritage.org.

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