Posts Tagged ‘Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary’

6
Apr 2011

Swan Lake Re-Design…

Posted by Steve  >  Branding, Non Profit, Search Engine Optimization, Web Design & Strategy
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A couple of years back we were asked to re-design the Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary website. Above we have provided a snapshot of what the original site looked like and our re-design.

We are very pleased with the results of the new design.

Here’s some of the stats regarding the new design and what it means to the Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary.

Visitation over the first year of the new design increased by 78% and a full 65% of those are New Visitors.

For a non-profit organization, reaching new markets is critically important as anyone who has received a direct mail package from most non-profits knows… you cannot keep going back to your membership for more funds to support the organization time and again… non-profits MUST find new members and offer them something which they find compelling enough to support.

The re-design of the website positions Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary for the future… integrating a variety of social media options including Facebook. Considering the increase in visitation and our 216 Facebook Friends, we’re pretty pleased with the results as well.

The Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary consists of two distinct areas;

  • marshy lowlands surrounding Swan Lake
  • rocky, oak-forested highlands of Christmas Hill

Swan Lake
The marsh around Swan Lake provides good habitat for many birds and small animals, including muskrat, river otter and mink. They make their homes in the rock walls, marsh grasses and cattails beside the lake. Swan Lake’s water comes from a large watershed to the north and the east, which includes Blenkinsop Lake. The water drains west from the lake into the Colquitz River and drains into the Pacific Ocean at Portage Inlet.

Christmas Hill
The highland environment of Christmas Hill is in marked contrast to the lowlands of Swan Lake. The glacially moulded rock faces, the vernal (seasonal) pond and the majestic view from the hilltop are of special interest to visitors. The meadows surrounding Christmas Hill bloom with a sea of wildflowers in the spring. The Swan Lake and Christmas Hill sections are connected by a trail corridor. A 2.5-kilometre loop trail, that includes two wharves and a floating walkway, provide access to the lake area.

Swan Lake History
The lake was formed 12,000 years ago when the last glacier receded. Swan Lake was rescued from oblivion just a few decades ago. During most of its recent history it was a dumping ground for raw sewage, dairy farms and a winery. Cleanup began in the 1970′s and today the lake is a rich habitat for a variety of wildlife.

The Nature Sanctuary Society
Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary is a nature education centre. It is a registered charitable organization run by the Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary Society. The lands and facilities are owned by the Corporation of the District of Saanich, and the Nature Sanctuary Society operates through a land management agreement with Saanich since June, 1975.

16
Aug 2010

Swan Lake Testimonial…

Posted by Steve  >  Testimonials
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Dear Steve,

I am writing to say how delighted we are with the marketing tools and web site you created for the Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary.

Working with The Steve Roper Group was a positive experience from start to finish. The re-design of our organization’s logo and stationary began the process, and set the stage for the new look and feel of the web site. All of the new design elements were skillfully incorporated into a very welcoming and visuallyintegrated visitor experience on the web site.

That, combined with a substantial increase in search engine presence, has significantly raised our profile in the community, which is already being reflected in an increase of donations coming in.

The ease of updating the page content was incorporated into the design as we requested, and that will allow us to maintain fresh and current content to keep the visitor’s interest.

We look forward to working with you on other projects in the future.

Sincerely,
Terry Morrison, Executive Director.

Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary

23
Apr 2010

There is a place in Victoria that truly bridges people and nature.

Posted by Steve  >  Non Profit
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A place to explore. A world to discover.

Founders’ Wharf is a construction project to build a wharf which, while recognizing the visionaries who sought to protect this land and build a centre where learning on the landcould take place, will also serve as our outdoor classroom. The project will cost $35,000 to complete with an anticipated opening to take place in conjunction with our 35th anniversary in June of 2010.

The Purpose of Founders’ Wharf:

From the wharf, children and adults will be encouraged through our classes to informally explore what the Lake has to offer. Whether it is feeding the ducks, water sampling, dipping for various forms of animal life found in the shallow waters, bird watching, spotting the local beavers, otters and muskrats that call the lake home or just taking in the view, the wharf will provide untold learning opportunities.

Who Will Benefit:

Over 65,000 people per year visit the Sanctuary with about 6,500 of these being school age children. The school programs provide a unique  opportunity for children to interact with the environment. From something as simple as feeding the ducks flatted oats, children can appreciate what nature has to offer. From this simple act, children can develop an appreciation of the importance of feeding birds the “right stuff” and from that can spring several lessons. This is just a simple example from which the understanding of the complexities of the natural environment will grow.

Because it is surrounded by urban development, Swan Lake offers a unique opportunity to bring the natural environment and people of all ages together. Founders’ Wharf will allow visitors to the Sanctuary to get closer to the Lake and allow our various programs to take advantage of the lakeside setting to further the learning experience.

Help us raise $35,000.00 to build Founders Wharf. Donate today.

25
Jan 2010

Launching the Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary web site…

Posted by Steve  >  Conservation, Non Profit, Web Design & Strategy
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For a little over one year now, I have been sitting on the Board of Directors for the Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary.

During that time, it has been my pleasure to re-design and launch this all new web site for them to assist in promoting the activities of the sanctuary.

Swan Lake was formed 12,000 years ago when the last glacier receded. The underlying bedrock, exaggerated by the scouring action of the glacier, provided the basin which defines the lake boundary.

Today, the lake is shallow, warm and flourishing with life despite the pollution created by urbanization of the surrounding area. The lake is fed by a large watershed to the north and east which includes Blenkinsop Lake.

The SLCHNS provides a diverse and enriching experience with a focus on natural history, education and ecological restoration to inspire personal action in stewardship activities. The Swan Lake Christmas Hill Sanctuary is managed with a strong focus towards fostering an understanding and appreciation of nature through direct experiences that will develop personal responsibility for the care and protection of the natural environment.

Take a look at the new web site here >

11
Jan 2009

The Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary

Posted by Steve  >  Conservation
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I have recently been asked to sit on the Board of Directors of The Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary.

The sanctuary consists of two distinct areas;

- Marshy lowlands surrounding Swan Lake

- Rocky, oak-forested highlands of Christmas Hill

The marsh around Swan Lake provides good habitat for many birds and small animals. They make their homes in the rock walls, marsh grasses and cattails beside the lake. The highland environment of Christmas Hill is in marked contrast to the lowlands of Swan Lake. The glacially-moulded rock faces, the vernal (seasonal) pond and the majestic view from the hilltop are of special interest to visitors. The meadows surrounding Christmas Hill bloom with a sea of wildflowers in the spring.

Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary is a nature education centre andregistered charitable organization run by the Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary Society.

The Mission of the Society is to manage the Swan Lake Christmas Hill Sanctuary as a focus for fostering an understanding and appreciation of nature through direct experiences that will develop personal responsibility for the care and protection of the natural environment.

For more information, visit the web site here >