Participants gather around a traditional “sugar on snow” setup during a winter sugaring-off event hosted in support of the Massawippi Conservation Trust, where fresh maple syrup was poured onto snow for visitors to enjoy. Photo courtesy.
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A limited-edition maple syrup fundraiser supporting local land conservation is back for a second year, with bottles now available at Café DuPont until mid-May as the Massawippi Conservation Trust marks its 15th anniversary.
A donation with a local flavour
The initiative invites supporters to make a $50 donation in exchange for a 500 ml bottle of pure maple syrup produced in collaboration with Érablière Gringas, along with a $32 tax receipt. Organizers emphasize the effort is not a commercial sale, but a way to engage donors in conservation work through a locally rooted product.
“It’s not a buy a bottle of maple syrup thing,” said Massawippi Foundation Executive Director Hélène Hamel. “It’s really… a gift with a donation of $50.”
Now in its second year, the fundraiser builds on strong local interest. Hamel said roughly 200 bottles were distributed during the first edition, with the initiative proving both popular and effective in raising awareness.
“People love it,” she said, noting the syrup’s appeal as a gift item. “Instead of going to someone’s house and bringing a bottle of wine, you bring a bottle of maple syrup… and it gets people talking about conservation.”
Rooted in conservation work
The syrup itself has a close connection to the organization’s mission. Produced by a neighbouring sugar maker who taps trees on or near conserved lands, the product reflects the landscape the trust is working to protect.
“Who knows… maybe some of that syrup that’s in there comes from our very own trees,” Hamel added.
While Café DuPont in North Hatley serves as the primary pickup location, donations can also be made online, with limited alternative arrangements possible for collection.
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Community partnerships and outreach
The café partnership has helped give the campaign visibility in the community. According to Dominique Voyer, who joined the organization’s board in November 2025 and now serves as president of its annual fundraising committee, local connections have been key.
“This was an initiative that was started before I got there,” Voyer said, adding that relationships with café owners have helped “get a bit of traction.”
Voyer described herself as still new to the role and said future fundraising plans are still taking shape. However, she emphasized the importance of community awareness, noting that many residents may not realize the organization operates independently.
“I think a lot of people think that our trails are government-owned… but we’re not—we’re just a group of folks who are raising money to try to conserve some land,” she said.
Anniversary year brings added momentum
The syrup fundraiser comes during a milestone year for the trust, which is planning several events to mark its 15th anniversary. Among them is a May 16 gathering to highlight the recent acquisition of the Tomifobia Nature Trail, a project that saw land donated by the trail’s original founders.
The organization is also preparing additional land protection agreements this spring, with several properties expected to be finalized in the coming months.
Hamel said the combination of fundraising initiatives and anniversary events reflects both growth and ongoing need.
“There’s a lot going on just in conservation in general,” she said.
The maple syrup fundraiser will run at Café DuPont until May 15, offering residents a chance to support conservation efforts while taking home a taste of the region.
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