Night of the Monarch celebrates South Shore Joint Initiative’s 5th anniversary

To celebrate five successful years of advocacy, as well as the designation of Monarch Reserve Conservation Area, the South Shore Joint Initiative (SSJI) will present Night of the Monarch at North Marysburgh Hall Saturday, Oct. 14.

Night of the Monarch is a dinner and variety show fundraiser. Guests will be served a three-course dinner prepared by local chef extraordinaire Tomas Crossley. Comedians Lenny Epstein and Gavin North will be joined by musicians Jenica Hammet, Mark Despault, Michelle Found and MaryKay Morris to create a fun-filled and joyful evening.

Since 2018, SSJI has advocated for the designation of Point Petre Provincial Wildlife Area and Ostrander Point Crown Land Block as a conservation reserve. This designation was achieved in June of this year.

Conservation reserve status protects these public lands from development. It preserves these areas for recreation as they have been used by generations of County people. It also recognizes the amazing biodiversity as well as the critical importance to thousands of migrating birds, bats and butterflies and the other wildlife that live there.

“It is time for us to celebrate,” says SSJI president John Hirsch. “We’ve worked hard to inform, educate and engage people in our rare and beautiful South Shore and are proud of our success in getting these nearly 4,000 acres permanently protected.”

Sponsors Magpie Clothing, Elizabeth Crombie Real Estate Team and Prince Edward County Field Naturalists join South Shore Joint Initiative to create this festive event.

Tickets ($150) are available at www.ssji.ca and include a $50 tax receipt, taxes and gratuity.

South Shore Joint initiative was established in 2018 with a vision for a permanently protected Prince Edward County South Shore where together biodiversity and people thrive. The organization’s mission is to educate and advocate for the protection, preservation and restoration of South Shore lands and waters. The group includes nine County, provincial and national environmental organizations.