NEWS Phase I of Outdoor Construction Completed The initial phase of a major construction effort began in May 2011 with detailed surveying, designing, and excavation for a new laneway system and parking area expansion.  The result:  just under a kilometre of cement curbing poured, two layers of highway grade asphalt applied to a brand new granular base, the installation of park benches on poured concrete pads, 16 antique lamp posts along the system, parking signage, and an outdoor pet waste disposal system. Despite the lack of rain, regraded lawn areas were sucessfully reseeded . Phase II Pond Construction Completed Over a 10 day period at the end of August 2011 excavation of a nearly 2 acre pond adjacent to the clinic provided a major attraction to staff, clients, and their pets alike.  The resultant hole was 18 feet deep with multiple bays and a peninsula to provide a home for varied aquatic vegetation and wildlife access.  Over 530 native plants  were planted after consultation with the conservation authority. Although predicted to take a year to fill, it was full to capacity by late fall.  Phase III  will see the addition of larger trees groupings, aquatic vegetation, and more benches for our patients and their owners to enjoy. 10th Birthday Celebration to include 10 "gorilla talks" As we celebrate the 10th birthday of our clinic, plans are underway to acknowledge the loyalty of our referring clinics by providing a series of 10 continuing education lectures in the Spring of 2012. Dubbed the "gorilla talks", each lecture will be accompanied by a presentation highlighting the important work done by our colleagues in the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project in East Africa. Thanks to our Corporate Sponsors, the talks will be open to all hospital personel. Conservation Award Nomination We are honored to have been nominated for the Conservationist of the Year Award by the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority. Announced in January 2012, the nomination is in recognition of having restored approximately 30 acres of wetlands on our property, including creating 5 ponds. The planting of 14000 tree seedlings will commence in Spring 2012 around the wetlands and will add to the existing 28 acres of mature hardwood forest.  All adjacent to our clinic and for everyone's benefit.