Humour with a Message: The GTA's Green Social Event of the Year Takes on
Biodiversity at The 17th Annual Charles Sauriol Environmental Dinner for The
Living City ©

-Connecting people to Toronto's wildlife by greening the laughs with The Second City-

TORONTO, Nov. 1 /CNW/ - Since its inception in 1993, the Charles Sauriol Environmental Dinner for The Living City©, Toronto's longest standing environmental dinner, has raised more than $2,000,000 and inspired more than 10,000 people who have attended to help raise awareness about the protection of precious green space in the GTA.

"My grandfather had a vision about the health of Toronto's watersheds and headwaters that was far ahead of its time. My parents, myself and soon my daughter are so fortunate to be able to have worked toward that vision and know that it can be realized. This event is one way to honor and ensure the momentum of his work." said André Flys, grandson of the late Charles Sauriol and Past-President of the Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust (ORMLT).

The dinner honours the legacy of conservationist Charles Sauriol, who was awarded the Order of Canada for keeping Canada green, and who spent most of his life working to protect us from ourselves by showing people the value of our natural resources. This year the Sauriol Dinner will bring laughter to Toronto, as featured performers The Second City, takes on biodiversity.

"2010 is the Year of Biodiversity so we wanted to bring awareness about local biodiversity issues - that people are a part of nature and part of biodiversity. Biodiversity, on its own is hard to understand, making it a difficult comedy subject, so we're excited to have The Second City shed some light and laughter on the GTA's web of life," said David Love, Executive Director, The Conservation Foundation of Greater Toronto Area. "We hope that the idea of education through entertainment will help people appreciate the wonderful natural ecosystems and understand the threat facing our local wildlife and habitats. It's time we all take responsibility to protect what's in our backyards."

In the GTA there are several species at risk including the Jefferson Salmander, Redside Dace, Snapping Turtle, Monarch Butterfly and American Ginseng to name a few.  These species are at risk because of human impact to their natural habitat. The conservation of green space will help to protect biodiversity too keep the natural world healthy. Since 1961, the Conservation Foundation supports the work of Toronto and Region Conservation (TRCA), raising more than $22 million for a variety of programs administered by TRCA.  Successes include securing more than 44,000 hectares of land.

"The Oak Ridges Moraine supports not only the source of all of the rivers that run through Toronto and the GTA, but also amazing diverse habitats. These in turn result in incredible species richness so close to this urban center. In the moraine's climax forests, forest plantations, hedgerows, grassland-savannahs, open meadows, hills and valleys you will find over 1,200 plant species, 166 species of breeding birds, 30 different reptiles and amphibians and so much more," Notes Patricia-Short Galle, ORMLT President. "We have secured 3,287 acres on the moraine but the work isn't done. As a partner in presenting the Sauriol Dinner we will be able to do more with the proceeds of this funfilled night celebrating biodiversity."

Many properties, such as the Glassco Family properties in King Township have benefited directly from the funds raised at this event.

Tickets are still available for this year's Sauriol dinner which will be held at the International Centre, Mississauga on Friday, November 5th. They may be purchased online at www.charlessauriol.ca.  Proceeds go to support the Conservation Foundation of Greater Toronto (CFGT) and the ORMLT. 

Toronto and Region Conservation
With over 50 years of experience, Toronto and Region Conservation (TRCA) helps people understand, enjoy and look-after the natural environment. Our vision is for The Living City®, where human settlement can flourish forever as part of nature's beauty and diversity.  For more information, call 416-661-6600 or visit us at www.trca.on.ca

For further information:

Rowena Calpito, Supervisor, Media Management, Toronto and Region Conservation
T: 416.661.6600 ext 5632; C: 416-358-3446 E: [email protected]