February 19, 2009

News source: TLC The Land Conservancy of BC

Butchart Gardens Donates $10,000 to Help Craigflower Farmhouse After Fire Damage

VICTORIA, B.C. – From one National Historic Site to another The Butchart Gardens has extended a helping hand to aid in the restoration of Craigflower Farmhouse.  The $10,000 donation came to TLC The Land Conservancy of BC after the third oldest building in B.C. caught fire on January 23, 2009.

	Dave Cowen, General Manager of The Butchart Gardens presents Bill Turner, Executive Director of The Land Conservancy with a $10,000 cheque to help with fire damages at Craigflower Farmhouse in Victoria.

Operated and managed by TLC on behalf of the B.C. government, the fire at Craigflower Farmhouse was likely caused by an electric heater located underneath the staircase.  Damages are estimated to be around $200,000, but could have been much worse if it wasn't for the quick action of View Royal, Esquimalt, and Colwood fire departments.  Soon after the fire, and before TLC turned to the public for help to offset the costs, The Butchart Gardens was on the phone offering a donation.

"We are very glad to be able to help with the restoration of Craigflower Farmhouse.  The history of Victoria is so important to us at The Butchart Gardens, and we are happy the firefighters were able to save this important heritage building," says Robin Clarke, owner of The Butchart Gardens.

"It is great to see a fellow National Historic Site helping out another in a time of need.  We really appreciate the donation, from the time of the establishment of TLC 12 years ago we have benefited from the encouragement, cooperation and assistance from The Butchart Gardens," says Bill Turner, Executive Director at TLC.  "The Butchart Gardens are such an asset to Victoria, and we are lucky to have them as part of our cultural fabric."

Every May to September, TLC opens the doors of Craigflower Farmhouse to tell the story of pioneer life in the 1850s by implementing special activities and events, and working with local schools to develop educational programs.  The latest addition to the farm site is a community garden.  With the Friends of Craigflower and other volunteers, TLC is working to breathe life and energy back into this community asset.  For individuals or businesses interested in supporting the restoration of Craigflower Farmhouse, please visit www.conservancy.bc.ca or call 1-877-485-2422.

The Butchart Gardens was created in 1904 by Jennie Butchart out of her husband's worked-out limestone quarry site, welcoming close to one million visitors from around the world each year, and it has been designated a National Historic Site.  The 22 hectare (55 acre) year round gardens are located 20 km (13 miles) north of the city of Victoria, British Columbia, on the Saanich Peninsula. www.butchartgardens.com

TLC The Land Conservancy of BC is a registered charity and land trust protecting natural areas, historic sites, farms and ranches, and places of recreational importance.  Since 1997, TLC has protected over 125,000 acres of sensitive and threatened lands around the province, involving more than 300 projects.  With offices in Victoria, Burnaby, Penticton, Kimberley and Prince George, TLC has grown to include over 7,100 members, and is now part of an international network of National Trusts with over 7.5 million members. www.conservancy.bc.ca

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For further information:

Bill Turner, Executive Director The Land Conservancy of BC ph: 250-213-1090 email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Graham Bell, Public Relations The Butchart Gardens ph: 250-544-4479 email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it