A highly successful 2025 Adopt an Acre campaign has brought in over $8,000 to support the expansion of the pollinator meadow at South Potter’s Creek Conservation Area, located at 2056 Old Hwy. 2 in Belleville, ON.
The goal of having 200 acres symbolically adopted by the end of the year was finalized through a last-minute donation from students in Grades 2 and 3 at Foxboro Public School. The three primary classes supported the adoption of 13 acres, totaling a monetary donation of $390.
The fundraising campaign was led by Indigenous Education Instructional Coach Stefan Demcyzna, who used learning around the Dish With One Spoon Treaty, which emphasizes the importance of respect, reciprocity, and sustainability, to encourage good stewardship behaviour and support sustainable efforts. Students learned about taking only what is needed from the land and giving back to the land. This initiative served as a powerful, hands-on lesson in both environmental stewardship and community action.
Upon delivering the funds to Quinte Conservation, the positive impact was immediate. “They said, ‘You know what? We didn’t think we were going to make our fundraising goal, but with what the kids at Foxboro did, we will make our fundraising goal,’” Mr. Demcyzna shared with the excited students during a special school assembly on January 29.
Quinte Conservation is excited to welcome the students this spring for a hands-on learning day at the conservation area, where they will help grow the pollinator meadow with native plant species they helped to fund.
Adopt an Acre is a fundraising initiative for important community-based projects that support stewardship activities, educational opportunities, and conservation area improvements—three areas not supported through Quinte Conservation’s general levy or provincial funding.
Adopt an Acre is available year-round and makes a great gift for those who support environmental conservation. This campaign is successful because of supportive individuals, community groups, and organizations. Every symbolic adoption comes with a tax receipt and a certificate.
Adoptions of 2 or 4+ acres receive a special gift—a limited-edition QC forest plush toy or a 10 oz YETI Rambler.
