Written by
David Bull posted on January 13, 2012 07:21
What is your vision of the Thousand Islands in twenty or even fifty years?
What characteristics of the Islands do you cherish and how do you think they can best be preserved?
What land-use policies should be supported to encourage a thriving economy in an ecologically sustainable way?
In search of answers to these questions, TIARA (The Thousand Islands Area Residents’ Association) is seeking the opinions of Thousand Island Life readers through its online survey, Input 2012.
Established in 1975, TIARA is a Canadian grassroots group of both seasonal and year-round residents in the Thousand Islands. Its mission is to preserve the beauty and character of the Thousand Islands region. TIARA is the sole advocacy group for the natural environment on the Canadian side of the river.
TIARA has a long and successful history of positively influencing municipal land use planning on the Canadian side of the river. TIARA’s environmental advocacy policies have always been based on input solicited from all Thousand Island area residents and stakeholders, not just its members.
In 1976, following extensive consultations with area residents (at the time, requiring a whole lot of paper and manual labour) TIARA developed the first land use Official Plan adopted by the Province of Ontario for what was then the Township of Front of Lansdowne, which included the majority of Canadian islands in the Thousand Islands.
In keeping with this tradition, TIARA is inviting anyone, including residents and non-residents from both sides of the river, with an affinity with this area, to complete a 10 to 20 minute online opinion survey. The survey period is from 1 January through February 2012. The survey is non-identifying (anonymous) and can be found at:
As in the past, results from this survey will help shape and guide TIARA’s policies towards municipal land use planning. Detailed results will be published on TIARA’s website in early March, with a follow up article discussing highlights of the survey findings in the April edition of Thousand Islands Life.
In the belief that all of us care deeply about the region, and wishing to identify what characteristics should be preserved for those who follow us, TIARA is providing this survey as a valuable opportunity for you to have your say about the future of the Thousand Islands.
By David Bull, Executive Director TIARA.
David Bull is TIARA’s Executive Director. A resident of Howe Island, Bull has served TIARA in various capacities since 1996, including two terms as its President.
The Landon Bay property is a story in itself. It was originally purchased in the 1950's by a group of visionaries from the area, including Charlie Donevan from Donevan’s Hardware in Gananoque, to be preserved as a nature education retreat. The property is now owned by Parks Canada, but is still managed by the Barbara Heck Foundation. (John MacLeod and Charlie Donevan) The property is open to the public and use of the hiking trails is by "encouraged donation" in order to help maintain them. You can learn more at http://www.landonbay.org/heck.htm
