Request submitted to rename pond after local environmental advocate

DEVON -- A formal request has been submitted to rename a local pond in Devon after the late Karen Macaulay.

Macaulay passed away in February after spending years advancing initiatives to protect the local environment. She was the original founder of the Devon Nature Club, which continues its work in advocating for the preservation of Devon's natural assets and green spaces. In a presentation to Devon Council this week, Jenise Bidulock submitted a formal request to name the town's local stormwater pond "Karen's Pond". 

"The Devon Nature Club, and the Macaulay family, request that as a testament to Karen Macaulay's tireless efforts, the pond she helped preserve be named Karen's Pond," said Bidulock. "Through all of her advocacy efforts, various town councils came to recognize her efforts and were highly supportive of the initiatives of the Nature Club." 

Karen Macaulay first arrived in Devon with her husband Allan in 2008 and began her environmental advocacy efforts shortly after. Some of her most notable accomplishments included establishing Bob McDonald Nature Park, preserving local trails, and pushing forward the River Valley Master Plan. Bidulock says Karen's impact was also strongly felt through her advocacy in establishing Devon's Parks Bylaw. 

"Without the bylaw, anyone could light fires in parks, cut down trees, spray pesticides, kill animals, tear around the bush in motorized vehicles, and the list goes on," said Bidulock. "It took Karen and the Devon Nature Club ten plus years to have the Devon Parks Bylaw approved by council. In many ways, this hidden triumph is one of Karen and the Nature Club's crowning achievements." 

In addition to her environmental advocacy, Karen was also heavily involved with the Nordic Ski Club board, serving as a coach for fifteen years while also helping out with ski rentals for the youth program.