The St. Clair Region Conservation Authority held their 2015 annual meeting in Courtright on Thursday. In his opening remarks, Chair, Steve Arnold, highlighted the Authority’s emphasis on Community Conservation and role of the Authority in working with a wide variety of partners. “We will continue to be innovative and focused on the needs of our watershed and our member municipalities. I would like to thank the many partners who have joined with us in order to make safer and healthier watersheds,” Arnold said.
Later in the meeting, Steve Arnold representing St. Clair Township was re-elected Chair and Norm Giffen representing the Municipality of Strathroy-Caradoc was elected Vice-Chair for 2015. The Board voted to accept the 2015 budget of $6,080,141. The General Levy, which is the part of budget funded by municipalities, was $701,455 or about 12% of the total budget. The remaining funds come from self generated revenue, government grants and fundraised dollars.
Four conservation awards were presented at the meeting.
Tearza and Taryn Daly
Tearza Daly and her 11 year old daughter Taryn have been organizing a Great Shoreline Cleanup along with family and friends. They have shown great community spirt by cleaning up the beach at the Highland Glen Conservation Area and plan to continue this effort in the spring of 2015. To date, their group has collected 215 lbs. of garbage and recyclables from that park and beach area. This is a great example of individuals and communities taking action to make their local Conservation Area a better place.
Bonduelle, Strathroy
Bonduelle is a company with a plant in Strathroy that processes and packages vegetables. The project, undertaken with a $10,000 donation from Bounduelle, began with a clean-up of the park and trail area followed by the construction of trails and picnic facilities. Through this project 400 metres of new trail were constructed along the lake, four picnic tables on cement pads, including one wheel chair accessible table, were constructed and two park benches were installed along the new lake trail. In addition to funds, Boundelle staff participated in the development of the trail.
County of Lambton
The County supported efforts of the Conservation Authority to initiate a project on the Bowen’s Creek Property which is within the heart of Carolinian Canada and within the St. Clair River Area of Concern. This property, owned by the County, is biologically connected to woodlands and provincially significant wetlands treasured for their unique biodiversity. The Bowen’s Creek project started in 2011 with the construction of eight hectares of wetland. Last year, hundreds of waterfowl were using the new wetlands as a migratory stop-over. Since 2011, 51,000 trees and 5 hectares of tall grass prairie were planted to enhance the existing 20 hectare site. With Lambton County’s support, many partners have joined in to be involved with this project and including the federal government through the Great Lakes Sustainability Fund, Trees Ontario, Ducks Unlimited Canada, Shell Fuelling Change, Enbridge, RBC Foundation, St. Clair Region Conservation Foundation and Authority, and the Friends of the St. Clair River. Without the support of the County, this project would not have been possible.
Aamjiwnaang First Nation Environment Committee
In 2013-2014, the Aamjiwnaang First Nation Environment Committee coordinated efforts to restore a stretch of Talfourd Creek adjacent to the Community Centre in Bear Park. The main goal of the project was to bring the creek back into the lives of the community. By restoring the creek, it is hoped that a new appreciation of the creek is fostered, therefore returning the creek to the people. The Committee has also been instrumental in the implementation and advancement of the St. Clair River Remedial Action Plan. Their participation ensures that the interests of the Aamjiwnaang First Nation community are reflected in actions that would lead to the delisting of the St. Clair River as an Area of Concern.