Ripple Outdoors – Long Point Water Fowl and Bird Studies Canada News Update
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Long Point Waterfowl Advances Towards Independence Following two decades of growth and evolution under the administration of Bird Studies Canada (BSC), Long Point Waterfowl (LPW) is well on its way to gaining independence as a fully separate organization. As part of the ongoing LPW reorganization, former Executive Director Dr. Scott Petrie has amicably left LPW. The LPW Board of Directors thanks Scott for his significant contributions since 1997, and wishes him well. Assistant Director Ted Barney, who has worked as a Biologist with LPW since 2006, has assumed direction of the organization effective immediately. Through the vision and effort of Warren Winkler, Sandy Stuart, and Sam Johnson, LPW was established in the mid-1980s to generate a fund of scientific knowledge relating to waterfowl and wetlands in the Long Point, Ontario area. Formally named the Long Point Waterfowl and Wetland Research Fund, it was created through an agreement between The Bluffs Club and Environment Canada. After a few years, Bird Studies Canada signed on to the agreement. Over the last two decades, LPW operated under the administration of BSC and was governed by the BSC Board. The LPW Board operated under the jurisdiction of the BSC Board and oversaw LPW policy. BSC administered LPW’s finances and related administrative services, and was the employer of LPW staff. LPW operated in this fashion very effectively and efficiently for more than 25 years, until a decision taken by the BSC Board in November 2014 ended the arrangement. Since its founding in the late 1980s, LPW has grown significantly in capacity and assets, as well as prominence and influence on vital waterfowl priorities in the Great Lakes region and beyond. In reaching its decision, the BSC Board reasoned that LPW had evolved to the stage where it could function as a fully separate, independent organization. The current reorganization of LPW is a direct result of the BSC Board’s decision. In order to perform functions previously carried out by BSC, LPW has incorporated as a legal corporation, and must next: · Obtain charitable status with the Canada Revenue Agency, which is in the process of being filed by legal counsel. · Create the infrastructure to support its activities as a free-standing, separate entity. · LPW is establishing its headquarters at the LPW Research & Education Centre near Turkey Point, Ontario. Because all of this work takes time to accomplish, the current administrative arrangement between BSC and LPW does not conclude until December 31, 2015. Meanwhile, all of LPW’s programs are going forward as planned. Once full independence is achieved, the LPW long-term plan will be pursued vigorously and assiduously. The LPW Board has total confidence in Ted Barney, our Scientific Advisory Committee, our stakeholders, and our benefactors to advance our mission of providing valuable science relating to waterfowl and wetlands, and to continue to fulfill our educational mandate. LPW has always enjoyed the benefit of the scientific knowledge and wisdom of the staff of Environment Canada and Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources, who have given generously of their time to serve as LPW advisors and Board members. This relationship will continue. Long Point Waterfowl point of contact: Ted Barney, Assistant Director 519-586-3531 ext. 151 |
