Mission

To promote water stewardship for children, youth and the community by building awareness, understanding, and appreciation of watershed health through experiential education.

Vision

To become a prominent supporter of outdoor and environmental education within the Haliburton Highlands and surrounding area.

Purpose

To garner partnerships, financial resources, and provide tools in support of educational projects and programs that promote the responsible use and management of ecosystems.

The 5 Objectives of F.E.E.L are:

1. To gain and maintain sustainable funding, administrative effectiveness to support FEEL projects and FEEL operations.
2. To deliver environmental education programs, including the HMK Children’s Water Festival, in collaboration with other organizations and businesses.
3. To promote and recognize community participation in FEEL sponsored projects and programs.
4. To share information with the community about watershed stewardship and environmental education
5. To network with and support other organizations undertaking projects that focus on ecosystems and watershed health.

Projects and Programs

Haliburton-Muskoka-Kawartha Children’s Water Festival

Operating the annual 2-day Haliburton-Muskoka-Kawartha Children's Water Festival (HMK Children's Water Festival), which teaches and motivates on average 1,200 elementary students a year to be water stewards in their classroom, homes and community.

Community Water Hero Programs

​Since 2023, we have launched new public Children's Water Festival community programming for children and their families with local partners in the Haliburton area. We are taking our hand-on educational learning experiences on the road and hosting “mini” children’s water festivals at local shorelines with partnering Lake Associations.

Native Plant Sale Fundraiser / Sustainable Shores & Garden Event

Providing native and eco-friendly plants to landowners and community organizations in our annual plant sale, with an aim to increase awareness of their benefits and encourage their use as a stewardship tool.

​​The F.E.E.L Board

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Stephanie Field

Board Chair & HMKCWF Committee Member
​705-854-0284
[email protected]

Heather Reid

Board Member at Large
[email protected]​

Ilona Sutcliffe

Secretary
[email protected]
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Mike Thorne

Board Member at Large
[email protected] 

Cheryl McCombe

Interim Treasurer
​705-854-0267
[email protected]
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Camille Smith

Board Member at Large
[email protected]
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Part-time Staff

Kara Mitchell

Children's Water Festival Coordinator
[email protected]