MOTHER COMMEMORATES LIFE OF SONGBIRD TAYLOR MITCHELL

Establishes Taylor Mitchell Legacy Trust & partnership with the David Suzuki Foundation   

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TORONTO, Oct. 25 /CNW/ - In memory of her daughter Taylor Mitchell, the burgeoning Canadian songwriter who died October 28, 2009 from a coyote attack while hiking in Cape Breton, Emily Mitchell has established the Taylor Mitchell Legacy Trust and a partnership with the David Suzuki Foundation.  

"I knew within an hour of Taylor's passing that the only way I could survive was to create something out of the tragedy of her death. I received so many loving and heartfelt messages from the public and I know that they felt as urgent a need for something positive to come out of such a tremendous loss as I did."

"Donating to the Taylor Mitchell Legacy Trust (www.taylormitchell.ca) or to the David Suzuki Foundation (www.davidsuzuki.org) are ways that we together can remember Taylor and to help make a difference in a way she would be thrilled about."

The Legacy Trust funds will go towards:

• community outreach to educate about habitat preservation, the delicate balance between human and wildlife interaction in both natural and urban settings, as well as safety precautions.  
• outreach in the schools to promote musical/creative expression and aspirations among youth (Taylor herself had released a critically acclaimed CD at only 18). 
• an annual youth bursary administered by the Ontario Council of Folk Festivals (Taylor was a member) to be given to a young and aspiring musician. 
• donations to the David Suzuki Foundation for programs like wildlife and habitat protection.

In memory of Taylor, the public can also donate directly to the David Suzuki Foundation at 1-800-453-1533 x 1243 or online at http://www.davidsuzuki.org/taylormitchell.

"We are touched that from tragedy came an opportunity to commemorate and celebrate Taylor's life and love of nature," said Dr. Faisal Moola, Director of Science at the David Suzuki Foundation. "Her inspiring legacy will live on through our efforts to reconnect Canadians with nature and to protect our cherished wildlife and natural spaces."

Wise beyond her years and an environmentalist at a very early age, Taylor understood the unbreakable connection between animal and human life and was involved with various causes for habitat conservation.

Taylor, whose musical star was on the rise, had a break during her first Maritimes tour and was doing what she loved -- spending time in nature's fold -- when the attack occurred.

"I want Taylor to be remembered not for the way she died, but for the beautiful, big-hearted, talented and loving young woman she was.  In her death -- through all of us -- her legacy will continue to be her unbridled passion for life, music and nature."

www.taylormitchell.ca
www.myspace.com/taylormitchellband
www.davidsuzuki.org/taylormitchell  

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