Media Advisory - Gord Downie and Mark Mattson of Lake Ontario Waterkeeper set
to inspire guests at environmental dinner

    
       -Music meets the environment at the 16th Annual Charles Sauriol
           Environmental Dinner for The Living City on November 12-
    

TORONTO , Nov. 3 /CNW/ - On Thursday, November 12th , government representatives, businesses, community organizations and interested individuals will come together to celebrate the legendary work of conservationist and visionary Charles Sauriol . The Charles Sauriol Environmental Dinner for The Living City(R) is one of Canada's largest environmental events that raises funds to protect conservation lands in the Toronto region and helps to continue Sauriol's work of keeping the country green.

This year's featured guest speakers are Gord Downie and Mark Mattson of Lake Ontario WaterKeeper who will offer their own unique wisdom on environmental stewardship in "Heart of the Lake; an evening of song, dance, poetry and conversation". Gord Downie is best known as the lead vocalist and lyricist of Canada's most beloved band, The Tragically Hip, who have thrilled audiences around the world with their live performances for over two decades. He is also a Trustee of Lake Ontario through his support of the Waterkeeper Alliance. Mark Mattson is President and Waterkeeper of Lake Ontario. He works tirelessly to promote and defend the ideals that safe waterways belong to the people.

"Land connects us all, it feeds us through agriculture, it sustains life and is a foundation for our communities," said Gerri Lynn O'Connor, Chair, Toronto and Region Conservation. "When we make these connections we then realize the importance of conserving and protecting our land. Thanks in part to our supporters including land donours, corporations, municipalities and leaders like Gord Downie and Mark Mattson , we are able to continue our efforts to preserve greenspace in Canada's largest urban centre."

To date, the event has raised more than $785,000 and entertained over 9,000 people. This dedication has enabled The Conservation Foundation of Greater Toronto and the Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust to save thousands of acres of environmentally critical lands for the health and well being of future generations.

    
    WHAT:  16th Annual Charles Sauriol Environmental Dinner for The Living
           City

    -  "Heart of the Lake; an evening of song, dance, poetry and
       conversation" will be performed by Gord Downie, Mark Mattson,
       Joseph Boyden, Andrea Nann and Tanis Rideout.
    -  Live auction, including auction of a Yamaha FG720S Solid Top acoustic
       guitar, donated by Cosmo Music and Yamaha Music Canada and autographed
       by Gord Downie. Proceeds raised go to The Conservation Foundation of
       Greater Toronto and the Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust.
    -  Charles Sauriol GreenSpace Awards Ceremony:

       City of Toronto: In 2005 the City of Toronto created the Land
       Acquisition for Source Water Protection Reserve to purchase lands to
       provide protection and improvement of the water quality of the river
       systems and watersheds that flow into Lake Ontario. This reserve has
       been used to purchase lands both inside and outside of the City. To
       date the City's contribution of $5.19 million has been used to help
       acquire 632 acres of sensitive land in the regions of York, Peel and
       Durham and the City of Toronto for a total acquisition cost of over
       $19 million.

       Douglas Groombridge: Douglas donated a 49 acre conservation easement
       to Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust (ORLMT), on May 8th, 2008. The
       heavily forested holding is situated on the Oak Ridges Moraine in the
       Township of King. Permanent headwater streams of the Schomberg River
       flow through or start on the property, along with a number of
       intermittent watercourses. The property lies near the top of the
       moraine close to the watershed divide between the Schomberg River
       running northward to Lake Simcoe and the Humber River running
       southward to Lake Ontario.

       Earl & Margaret Groombridge: Earl and Margaret donated a 48 acre
       conservation easement to ORMLT, on October 23rd. The heavily forested
       holding is situated on the Oak Ridges Moraine in the Township of King.
       Permanent headwater streams of the Schomberg River flow through or
       start on the property, along with a number of intermittent
       watercourses. The property lies near the top of the moraine close to
       the watershed divide between the Schomberg River running northward to
       Lake Simcoe and the Humber River running southward to Lake Ontario.

       Taylor Parnaby: Taylor, a well-known Toronto news veteran, has been a
       devoted supporter of Charles Sauriol Environmental Dinner in his role
       as the Master of Ceremonies since 1998.

    WHO:

    -  Paul Calandra, MP, Oak Ridges-Markham
    -  The Honourable Donna Cansfield, Minister of Natural Resources;
       MPP, Etobicoke Centre
    -  City Councillor Glenn De Baeremaeker (Ward 38, Scarborough Centre)
    -  Gerri Lynn O'Connor, Chair and Brian Denney, CAO, Toronto and Region
       Conservation Authority
    -  Gord Downie and Mark Mattson, Lake Ontario Waterkeeper
    -  George Stroumboulopoulos, Honourary Event Chair, and host of
       CBC's The Hour
    -  Emmanuel Belliveau, MC and host of HGTV's Greenest Homes
    -  Denise Flys, daughter of Charles Sauriol

    WHEN:  Thursday, November 12, 2009 Reception starts 6:00 p.m. Dinner at
           7 p.m.

    -  5:30 PM VIP reception
    -  8:45 PM Charles Sauriol Greenspace Awards Ceremony
    -  9:00 PM Featured guest performances

    WHERE: Pearson Convention Center, 2638 Steeles Avenue East, Brampton,
           $150 per person, business casual
    

About TRCA

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(R), 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 or www.charlessauriol.ca

For further information: Rowena Calpito, Supervisor, Media Management, Toronto and Region Conservation, T: [phone] ext 5632; C: [phone], E: [email protected]