"School's out for summer!" It's funny how every year around this time, as I watch the kids excitedly run home from school, I remember that timeless Alice Cooper song. As I am writing this column, I can even hear the music in my head.

Congratulations to all of this year's graduates and a special thank you to the teachers and volunteers who help our children prepare for their futures. Please drive safely and watch out for the children playing now that they are out of school.

I offer special congratulations to the Hamilton Conservation Authority upon the official opening of their newest conservation area, the Eramosa Karst.

The grand opening was like a homecoming party. Ben Vanderbrug, the first general manager of the HCA, was present to see the unveiling of a special plaque to commemorate all of his efforts to preserve natural lands across the city.

The Heritage Green Trust Fund handed over a donation of $750,000 to the HCA. In total, The trust fund will donate $1.5 million for the development of the conservation area. A special plaque was unveiled which suitably thanks the trust fund representatives.

The event was also attended by many local leaders including MP Wayne Marston, MPP Paul Miller, Mayor Fred Eisenberger and Councillor Tom Jackson.

I encourage everyone to take an opportunity to walk the trails and peer into caves and cracks in the bedrock that are more than 13,000 years old. You will find it utterly amazing that with two or three minutes of walking, you will completely forget you are in the middle of one of the largest cities in Canada.

Keep a keen eye out for wildlife, especially the wild turkeys. I was walking the trails recently and some wild turkeys suddenly emerged out of the bushes with feathers flying, which scared me senseless.

To say I am absolutely thrilled that the trails are already busy with visitors from all over Canada is an understatement. There is great interest in this property from cavers to conservationists.

I predict the Eramosa Karst Conservation Area will become one of the most popular eco-tourism draws in not just Hamilton but in the entire Golden Horseshoe Area.

To everyone, please have a safe and enjoyable summer.