
Jul 8, 2025
Credit Valley Conservation Foundation and 407 ETR Celebrate Partnership at Crane Gathering Space
Credit Valley Conservation Foundation (CVCF), in partnership with Credit Valley Conservation (CVC), is proud to celebrate its enduring collaboration with 407 ETR—an organization recognized not only for world-class transportation but also for leadership in sustainability, community investment, and environmental stewardship.
Since 2018, 407 ETR has generously contributed over $160,000 to support shared conservation and community initiatives, including the Credit Valley Trail and Indigenous placemaking projects. To honour our shared commitment, 407 ETR is featured as a co-sponsor of the Crane Gathering Space—an important Indigenous placemaking site along the Credit Valley Trail.
The Crane Gathering Space was developed by the Credit Valley Trail Indigenous Roundtable, an Indigenous led committee made up of community representation from the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation (MCFN), Cree and Huron-Wendat First Nations, in collaboration with CVC and CVCF. The inspiration for this space comes from the Ajijaak Dodem (Crane Clan). In Anishinaabe tradition, the Ajijaak is known as an ‘echo maker’ and is the speaker for the clans. Ajijaak is an announcer of things to come. The sandhill crane also uses Island Lake Conservation Area as a stopover site during its annual migration.
Yesterday, 407 ETR representatives joined us at Island Lake to celebrate the creation of the Crane Gathering Space, which marks a significant milestone in advancing reconciliation, cultural connection, and environmental education.
“407 ETR is honoured to support the creation of the Crane Gathering Space and to stand alongside our partners in honouring Indigenous culture and environmental education,” says Javier Tamargo, President & CEO, 407 ETR. “Our investment in the Credit Valley Trail and Indigenous placemaking reflects our broader commitment to connect the natural spaces that define our region.”
“We are deeply grateful to 407 ETR for their steadfast commitment to sustainability, community investment, and environmental stewardship. Their generous support since 2018 has been crucial in advancing key initiatives such as the Credit Valley Trail, land securement and Indigenous placemaking. As we celebrate with 407 ETR the Crane Gathering Space, the first Indigenous placemaking site along the trail, we also celebrate both a meaningful step forward in reconciliation and the strong partnership that makes this work possible. Together, we are building a legacy of connection, conservation and community that will benefit generations to come.”
— Terri LeRoux, Interim Chief Administrative Officer, Credit Valley Conservation
“407 ETR’s generous partnership is essential to advancing the Foundation’s mission to protect and connect the natural spaces within the Credit River Watershed. Their ongoing support not only drives critical conservation projects but also reinforces our shared commitment to environmental stewardship and Indigenous reconciliation. As we celebrate 407 ETR’s generosity, we invite other community partners to join us in this vital $10 Million Campaign—together we can build a lasting legacy while ensuring a resilient, thriving watershed for generations to come.” — Dayana Gomez, Executive Director, Credit Valley Conservation Foundation
About 407 ETR
Highway 407 ETR is an all-electronic open-access toll highway located in the Greater Toronto Area in Ontario, Canada. The highway spans 108 kilometres from Burlington in the west to Pickering in the east.
407 International Inc. is the sole shareholder of 407 ETR and is owned by:
- Cintra Global S.E. which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ferrovial S.A. (48.29 per cent).
- Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP Investments) and other institutional investors (44.2 per cent); and
- Public Sector Pension Investment Board (PSP Investments) (7.51 per cent)
About Credit Valley Conservation
Credit Valley Conservation (CVC) is a local conservation authority established by the Ontario government in 1954 to protect, restore and enhance the natural environment of the Credit River Watershed. That watershed is the area of land where all rainfall, snowmelt and runoff drains (”sheds”) into lands and waters flowing into the Credit River. CVC creates connections between people and nature, knowledge and action. It inspires a deep appreciation for the role of nature in keeping people connected, healthy and happy. CVC is a member of Conservation Ontario.
About Credit Valley Conservation Foundation
Credit Valley Conservation Foundation is a registered environmental charity working to help protect and conserve the lands and waters of the Credit River Watershed. The Foundation accomplishes this by raising funds in support of the valuable conservation projects carried out by Credit Valley Conservation (CVC) that protect the health and well-being of the flora and fauna, the watershed and its inhabitants for today and tomorrow. CVC inspires a deep appreciation for the role of nature in keeping people connected, healthy and happy.
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Media Contact
Sophia Maio
Senior Manager, Marketing and Communications
Credit Valley Conservation
437-240-4801
Email