Members of the Lambton Shores Phragmites Community Group accept a Conservation Award from Andy Bruziewicz, Vice-Chair (pictured far right) and John Fraser, Constituency Assistant to Monte McNaughton, MPP for Lambton-Kent-Middlesex (pictured second from left) at the SCRCA Annual General Meeting on Thursday.
The 2019 Annual General Meeting for the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority (SCRCA) was held on Thursday in Wallaceburg. Highlights from another successful year were presented by the Chair, Steve Arnold, who after a 14-year tenure is stepping away from the Authority’s Board of Directors.
“It is important to note that many of these projects would not have been possible without the support of our partners. In fact, last year our dedicated staff members were successful in securing almost
$1 million in additional grants, donations and contracts to support conservation efforts in our region,” said Arnold.
For over 50 years, the SCRCA has established strong partnerships with local organizations and government agencies to protect and enhance the local environment. In 2018, the Authority:
- Published the 3rd iteration of Watershed Report Cards that summarize the state of forests, wetlands and water resources in the St. Clair Region.
- Planted over 54,000 seedlings and 180 large-stock trees throughout the watershed.
- Collaborated with the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority in organizing a successful soil health conference – over 180 people, including local farmers and soil health experts from across North America, attended the conference.
- Secured over $200,000 to support 43 stewardship projects on private property.
- Saw the re-designation of three Beneficial Use Impairments (BUIs) to “Not Impaired” in the St. Clair River Area of Concern, bringing the River another step closer to delisting.
- Continued the Authority’s Species at Risk and fish monitoring programs. Biologists studied fish communities, recording over 3,000 individual fish in 2018. In addition, at-risk turtle eggs were rescued, incubated and hatched, resulting in over 750 turtle hatchlings being released into the environment. This included more than 250 endangered Eastern Spiny Softshell turtles.
- Operated the W. Darcy McKeough Floodway for the first time in nine years to help protect the Town of Wallaceburg from February floodwaters.
- Engaged over 11,000 local students through Conservation Education classes that foster environmental awareness and an appreciation for the natural treasures of the region.
Arnold also noted some of the changes experienced by the SCRCA over the last year as a result of the implementation of a newly amended Conservation Authorities Act as well as both provincial and municipal government elections.
Conservation Awards were presented during the meeting to celebrate and acknowledge the contributions of community members to the health of the St. Clair Region.
Darrell Randell
Darrell Randell has been involved in numerous environmental initiatives through both his professional and municipal careers. As a municipal councillor at St. Clair Township over the last 24 years, Darrell has advocated for many projects that have resulted in improved environmental quality in the St. Clair Region. In his role as Conservation Specialist with Ducks Unlimited Canada, Darrell assists local landowners in creating and restoring wetlands in southwestern Ontario. Many partnerships have been forged between the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority and Ducks Unlimited Canada because of his involvement and passion for these stewardship projects.
Darrell has also been a long-standing member of the Binational Public Advisory Council for the St. Clair River Area of Concern (AOC) and has been essential in the progress made to delist the River as an AOC through his involvement with the Canadian Remedial Action Plan Implementation Committee. Until recently, Darrell was the President of the Friends of the St. Clair River community group, which provides financial support for projects and educational opportunities that benefit the St. Clair River AOC Remedial Action Plan.
Lambton Shores Phragmites Community Group
The Lambton Shores Phragmites Community Group (LSPCG) was established in 2012 with the goal of working with other organizations and landowners to restore wetland and beach habitat by controlling the spread of the invasive grass Phragmites. Since their inception, the LSPCG has successfully implemented Phragmites control measures over 120 hectares (300 acres) of land in the Municipality of Lambton Shores.
The group has partnered with numerous local organizations including the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority and have spearheaded a number of outreach initiatives including workshops and the development and distribution of educational brochures and factsheets. The impact of the LSPCG spreads beyond the borders of Lambton Shores and members are eager to share their experiences and expertise within other jurisdictions.
The SCRCA welcomed ten new Directors to their 2019 Board in addition to new leadership – Joe Faas, representing the Regional Municipality of Chatham-Kent, was elected Chair and Larry Gordon, representing the Village of Point Edward, was elected Vice Chair.
