New Vice Chair and new Chair at ABCA
The Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) held its annual meeting on Thursday, February 20, 2020 and elected a new Vice Chair and new Chair for the Board of Directors.
Shown in photo, from left to right, are new Vice Chair Dave Jewitt, who represents the Municipality of Central Huron, and new Chair Doug Cook, who represents the Municipality of Lambton Shores and the Township of Warwick on the ABCA Board.
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Local youth to bring message of ‘away from pollution, towards solutions’ at awards night
EcoExeter youth to present at local Partner Appreciation Evening conservation event; public invited to evening where Conservationist of the Year Award is to be presented
Students from EcoExeter are the special guest presenters at the Conservationist of the Year Award event on Thursday, March 26, 2020 at Ironwood Golf Club, 70969 Morrison Line, 2 km east of Exeter.
The students will speak about ways the community is doing more, and can do more, to keep plastics and other pollution out of our water.
Doug Cook is Chair of the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) Board of Directors.
“On behalf of the Board, I welcome the students from EcoExeter to our event and I look forward to hearing the message these young people bring to our annual Partner Appreciation Evening,” he said. “Their presentation is to help us move away from pollution and towards solutions and that’s an important message for all of us.”
It is inspiring to see the positive changes our youth are making at the global and local scales, the ABCA Chair said. “Our young people are often the leaders in driving us to make positive changes that protect water, soil, and habitat,” he said. “Young people at our local schools have been very successful at encouraging others to reduce pollution in order to protect our creeks, rivers, and Lake Huron.”
The conservation authority announces the winner of this year’s Conservationist of the Year Award at the partner appreciation evening. The event starts with a social time at 5 p.m. followed by a light supper at about 5:30 p.m. The formal programme begins about 6 p.m. or a little later with presentation of the Conservationist of the Year Award and Years of Service Awards for directors and staff.
The awards are followed by the keynote presentation by EcoExeter. If you would like to attend, you are asked to please reply in advance to Sharon Pavkeje at spavkeje@abca.ca, by March 19, 2020, for meal numbers. (If you have special dietary needs, you are asked to inform organizers in advance.)
The public is invited.
“We invite you to attend our partner appreciation evening so we can say thank you, in person, for all you do, as a partner in conservation, to protect our watershed resources,” said ABCA Chair Doug Cook. The partner appreciation evening is also a chance to learn about what others are doing to protect life, property, water, soil, and habitat for living things, he said.
Ausable Bayfield Conservation presents the Conservationist of the Year Award each year to a person, farm, business, community group, or organization doing good work in the watershed. “It is an honour to recognize these award winners,” said the ABCA Chair. “We would also like to thank all the nominees for this award and all the landowners and community groups who are creating awareness and taking positive action,” Doug said. “We have so many people taking positive actions in our communities … I thank you all.”
Visit abca.ca or phone 519-235-2610 or toll-free 1-888-286-2610 to find out more.
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Conservation Dinner 2020 Early Bird Prize Draw winner to get limousine ride courtesy of Wave Limo and Tours
The Conservation Dinner Committee has drawn the winning ticket for the 2020 Early Bird Prize.
Seree Wainman, of London, purchased her ticket early and with the picking of her ticket she wins a limousine ride for up to 10 people, to and from the charity auction event, courtesy of Bradley Oke and Wave Limo and Tours (Wave.limo), of Grand Bend.
Conservation Dinner Committee members Charles Miner and Marcy Merner drew the winning ticket at the February 10, 2020 Dinner Committee meeting.
The Exeter Lions Club has been co-partner, with Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation and the watershed community, on the Dinner since 1991. Net profits are split evenly between community conservation projects of the Conservation Foundation and community conservation projects of the Exeter Lions Club.
This gala charitable auction and dinner event, of Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation and Exeter Lions Club and other community partners, has raised more than $1.2 million over three decades for projects in local communities. These projects include accessible nature trails in Bayfield, Clinton, Parkhill, Lucan, Arkona, Exeter, and Varna; busing for students to experience outdoor nature education; a $1,000 student environmental bursary benefitting students in local communities; a summer job at Ausable Bayfield Conservation for a senior secondary school student; turtle monitoring and events in Port Franks and Ailsa Craig; aquatic habitat studies in Old Ausable Channel, Grand Bend; and projects like nature day camps, fishing derby and Owl Prowl, and parks and conservation areas.
The 31st Conservation Dinner takes place on Thursday, April 16, 2020. To buy a ticket or to donate to the 2020 Conservation Dinner, visit the Ausable Bayfield Conservation office east of Exeter at 71108 Morrison Line (just south of Highway 83) or phone 519-235-2610 or toll-free 1-888-286-2610 or email info@abca.ca.
Find out more at abca.ca and conservationdinner.com.
Learn more here:
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Friends of the South Huron Trail host free family snowshoeing event
Family Day WinterFest South Huron events included snowshoeing hosted by Friends of the South Huron Trail with snowshoes courtesy of Ausable Bayfield Conservation as well as the popular Family Day breakfast by the Exeter Lions Club along with many other community events.
Here are some photos from Family Day:
Jim O’Toole and Sharon O’Toole were among the Friends of the South Huron Trail volunteers who ran the free family snowshoeing event as part of the tenth Family Day WinterFest South Huron, held on Monday, February 17, 2020. Also volunteering were Carol Rideout and Lorne Rideout and volunteer Doug Westlake, of Douger’s Music Machine Disc Jockey, played music at the event.
From left to right in photo, Kelly, Lexi, Danni, and Cloey Holmes enjoy the free family snowshoeing event, at South Huron Recreation Centre in Exeter, during Family Day WinterFest South Huron. The Friends of the South Huron Trail hosted the event, at the tenth Family Day WinterFest, and Ausable Bayfield Conservation provided snowshoes.
Shown getting ready for snowshoeing at the Free Family Snowshoeing event hosted by Friends of the South Huron Trail at Family Day WinterFest South Huron are, from left to right in photo, Cloey, Lexi, Danni, and Kelly Holmes.
Serving up a delicious Family Day breakfast at Family Day WinterFest South Huron were Exeter Lions Club volunteers including (from left to right in photo) Lions Jim Beckett, Craig Hebert, Ross Alexander, and Rupert Robinson. The family breakfast has been taking place for more than a decade and hundreds of people were at the South Huron Recreation Centre on Monday, February 17, 2020 for this popular annual tradition.
Family Day also included face painting courtesy of Exeter Lioness Club; free family skating in Exeter and Huron Park thanks to sponsors (Exeter Lions Club and R. E. Pooley Branch 167 of the Royal Canadian Legion, Exeter); soup and a bun by 2923 RCACC – Exeter Royal Canadian Army Cadets at R. E. Pooley Branch 167 of the Royal Canadian Legion, Exeter, Upstairs Hall; a number of events hosted by Branch 167 of the Royal Canadian Legion including billiards and darts; Pickleball by South Huron Pickleball Program; Family Board Game and refreshments by the Cultural Collective Studio and Lounge; fireworks sponsored by Kraft Auto; Exeter Lions Club; Todd Robinson, Manulife Securities; Exeter Lioness Club; and Exeter Firefighters’ Association; a big-screen movie courtesy of Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Huron and South Huron Optimist Club; and more.
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Calendar of Events 2020
Mark your calendars! Here are some of upcoming dates of interest:
- February 28, 2020 – Spring tree order deadline for orders accompanied by payment
- March 10 -16 – Groundwater Awareness Week
- Saturday, March 14 – International Day of Action for Rivers
- Saturday, March 14 – Learn about Butterflies Day
- Saturday, March 21 – International Day of Forests
- Sunday, March 22 – World Water Day
- Thursday, March 26, 2020 – Partner Appreciation Evening and Conservationist of the Year Award
- Saturday, March 28 at 8:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. – Earth Hour 2020
- Thursday, April 16 – Conservation Dinner
- Wednesday, April 22 – Earth Day
- Friday, April 24, 2020 – Arbor Day
- Saturday, April 25 – Save the Frogs Day
- Monday, May 4 at 9 a.m. – Friends of the South Huron Trail
- Saturday, May 9 – Invasive Species Removal: Garlic Mustard Pull
- Thursday, May 21 – Outdoor Classroom Day
- Friday, May 22 – International Day for Biological Diversity (World Biodiversity Day)
- Saturday, May 23 – World Turtle Day
- Friday, June 5 – World Environment Day
- Saturday, June 6 – Trails Day
- Thursday, July 16 – Snake Day
- July 6-10 – Summer Nature Day Camp by Ausable Bayfield Conservation
- July 20-24 – Summer Nature Day Camp by Ausable Bayfield Conservation
- August – Water Quality Month
- Monday, August 17 – World Honey Bee Day
- Friday, September 18 – EarthEcho Water Challenge/World Water Monitoring Challenge/World Water Monitoring Day
- September 19 – World Cleanup Day
- Sunday, September 20 – Commemorative Woods Tree Dedication Ceremony at Morrison Dam Conservation Area (MDCA)
- Sunday, September 20 – Terry Fox Run
- Sunday, September 27 – World Rivers Day
- Monday, November 2 at 9 a.m. – Friends of the South Huron Trail meeting
- Saturday, November 7 – Owl Prowl
- Tuesday, December 1, 2020 – Giving Tuesday
- Saturday, December 5 – World Soil Day
Also, this is the International Year of Plant Health. (PDF)
This list is in development. Other dates may be added as the year goes on. Dates are subject to change.
For other events and Board of Directors meetings visit the Ausable Bayfield Conservation website at abca.ca.
For other dates and for updates visit the Ausable Bayfield Conservation website at this link:
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Municipal staff presented at Flood Emergency Planning Meeting
More than 30 people attend annual Flood Emergency Planning Meeting hosted by Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority; Municipalities, conservation authority share flood response experiences
Municipal staff presented to this year’s Flood Emergency Planning Meeting about their responses to major flood events in 2019.
Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) hosted the meeting at the Masonic Hall in Exeter.
Coastal flooding along Lake Huron’s shoreline has become more frequent as lake levels reach and even set all-time record levels for a given month. Monthly average lake level for Lake Huron in January 2020 set a record high for the month but was below the overall record high level for Lake Huron, said Davin Heinbuck, ABCA Water Resources Coordinator. It is predicted Lake Huron levels will continue to set monthly records through spring and possibly summer, he said.
Lake Huron may experience all-time record highs this year. Shoreline dunes and bluffs are being eroded by wave action during this period of high lake levels, the Water Resources Coordinator said. Bank failures along bluffs can occur at any time during a storm event or even days, weeks, or months later.
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Limited time left for 2020 Spring Tree Orders
Spring tree orders accepted until February 28
Download the tree order form for free on our tree order web page at this link:
Orders accompanied by payment can be made until February 28, 2020.
Tree order forms are available by calling Ausable Bayfield Conservation, by visiting our office east of Exeter at 71108 Morrison Line, or by visiting Ausable Bayfield Conservation's website (abca.ca) at this link:
Cost-share funding is available for many projects, such as field windbreaks, buffers, and reforestation.
Forestry and Land Stewardship Specialist Ian Jean encourages interested landowners to give him a call at 519-235-2610 or toll-free 1-888-286-2610 to find out more.
Local landowners continue to plant tens of thousands of trees each year locally to the benefit of watershed health and human health. Ausable Bayfield Conservation staff work all year to access funding support, for tree planting by landowners, from governments, non-government sources, industry, and the community.
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Exeter Lions Club, Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation have worked together for three decades on charity auction event
Conservation Dinner has raised $1.2 million for community
The Conservation Dinner has raised more than $1.2 million for projects in local communities and it would never have been possible without the support of the Exeter Lions Club, according to the Conservation Dinner Committee.
The Conservation Dinner is Thursday, April 16, 2020. This year’s charitable auction marks the 30th consecutive year that the Exeter Lions Club has been the major co-partner, with Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation, on the event. Net proceeds are split evenly between community conservation projects of the Conservation Foundation and community conservation projects of the Exeter Lions Club.
The Lions Club first joined the Foundation as co-partner in 1991.
Dave Frayne is Chair of the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation (ABCF). He is also this year’s Chair of the Conservation Dinner Committee. He says the community fundraising event would never have lasted 30 years if it were not for the tireless work and dedication of the Lions Club:
“The Conservation Dinner partnership with the Exeter Lions Club is really one of a kind. It would be incredible to see this kind of partnership last five or ten or 15 years, but 30 years – that’s really special. Local communities and local people, including youth, benefit from this event. It’s donors, guests, and volunteers who make it happen and the Exeter Lions Club volunteers are at the forefront each and every year. I would like to commend the Lions for their community spirit and their years of service to this cause. The Dinner has been a lot of hard work from everyone involved but it’s also been a lot of fun working with the Lions Club members. The Lions Club volunteers work all year on this event and when the week of the Conservation Dinner comes they really kick it into high gear and it’s really amazing to see them at work. I would like to thank President Craig, the current Lions members, and all the past Lions members who have been part of this successful event for the past 30 years.”
Craig Glavin is President of the Exeter Lions Club. He said working with the Conservation Foundation, and other community volunteers, has been enjoyable and has benefitted the community. Lions President Craig thanks all the current and past Lions members who have helped the Conservation Dinner raise more than $1.2 million for projects in local communities:
“I would like to personally thank all the Exeter Lions Club members, past and present. Exeter Lions Club members have spent thousands of hours organizing a great community event in support of needed community projects such as parks and trails and education, recreation, and job opportunities for young people. We enjoy working with Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation and the other community volunteers on the Dinner Committee. The volunteers should be very proud of what they have accomplished over the past three decades and I look forward to another successful evening in 2020. I would also like to thank our neighbouring Lions Clubs that also support the work of this community event.”
Exeter Lions Club members have served as Conservation Dinner chairpersons over the years including:
- Tom Hartai and Mac MacDougall (1992)
- Peter Raymond (1994)
- George Godbolt (1996; 1998; 2000; 2002)
- Rob Reid (2005)
- Bob Gehan (2008; 2009; 2011)
- Bob Laye (2013)
- Paul Anstett (2015; 2016)
- Jim Beckett and Larry Taylor (2018; 2019).
Projects made possible by the auction event include community parks and conservation areas; fishing derby, nature day camps, and Owl Prowl events; accessible nature trails in Bayfield, Clinton, Parkhill, Lucan, Arkona, Exeter, and Varna; busing for students to experience outdoor nature education; a $1,000 student environmental bursary benefitting students in local communities; a summer job in conservation for a senior secondary school student; turtle monitoring and events in Port Franks and Ailsa Craig; aquatic habitat studies in Old Ausable Channel, Grand Bend; and other community projects.
The annual charitable event features live and silent auctions of art and other distinctive items including travel packages and sports and entertainment memorabilia. The Dinner includes special raffles, general raffles, appetizers, wine tasting, a wonderful meal, and a chance to visit with neighbours. The Dinner Committee thanks all the donors and sponsors, patrons and guests, and volunteers who make the event a success. The committee also thanks all the creative people who have been feature artists over the years in media ranging from paintings to ice sculptures to metal art to culinary arts.
The Conservation Dinner takes place at South Huron Recreation Centre at 94 Victoria Street East in Exeter. Tickets are $85 each. Patrons receive a charitable gift receipt, for income tax purposes, for a portion of that amount. To buy a ticket or to donate, visit the Ausable Bayfield Conservation office east of Exeter at 71108 Morrison Line (south of Highway 83) or phone 519-235-2610 or toll-free 1-888-286-2610 or email info@abca.ca.
Find out more at abca.ca and conservationdinner.com.
Learn more about this amazing partnership that benefits your local communities:
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Rowland Howe joins local drinking water source protection committee as industry rep
A mining engineer with more than 35 years of experience in mining operations is the new industry representative on a local committee working to protect municipal drinking water sources.
The source protection authorities have announced that Rowland Howe is the newest member of the Ausable Bayfield Maitland Valley Source Protection Committee (SPC). He joins the committee effective February 20, 2020.
Rowland Howe is a Chartered Engineer and President of the Goderich Port Management Corporation. He also acts as an independent consultant offering strategic and leadership services. The committee’s new industry rep worked in a strategic engineering role for Compass Minerals, delivering key projects across the company’s divisions, before retiring in November 2016. Starting in 1995, he was Mine Manager at the largest salt mine in the world, the Compass Minerals’ salt mine in Goderich, Ontario. He previously worked in the British coal industry and continued his mining career in the United Kingdom working for Imperial Chemical Industries at their salt mine before moving to Canada.
The new industry representative has served on Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Road Salt Working Group. He is a board member at Alexandra Marine and General Hospital in Goderich. In 2019, he joined the Town of Goderich’s Environmental Action Committee. He has served as a board member of the Ontario Mining Association (OMA) and on the OMA energy committee. He is a resident of Exeter, Ontario.
SPC Chair Matt Pearson welcomed the new industry representative to the committee. “Rowland brings a great depth of experience and knowledge to the Committee,” said the Chair. “He understands complex issues and his opinion will be valuable as we work towards protecting our drinking water sources and, in turn, our natural environment.”
The newest committee member thanked the local source protection authority for choosing him as the new industry representative. “I am delighted to be joining this committee to help further this important work that must be undertaken to keep our drinking water clean and safe,” he said. Source water protection helps to educate people of the challenges to ensuring clean water reaches homes, businesses, and other locations, he said. The program helps to educate people about how to keep that water clean and helps to ensure people take the necessary actions to protect that water. “We so often take it for granted in Canada that when we turn on the faucet clean, fresh, drinkable water will be there,” he said. “History teaches us that there can be no room for complacency and that we must be vigilant to ensure this basic human need is met.”
The SPC works to create policies to protect local sources of drinking water from activities that pose possible threats in areas near municipal wells.
The 2020 committee includes Chair Matt Pearson and the following members: Municipal – Allan Rothwell (East); David Blaney (Central); Myles Murdock (North); Dave Frayne (South West); Economic – Rowland Howe (Industry); Philip Keightley (Commerce); Bert Dykstra (Agriculture); Mary Ellen Foran (Agriculture); Other – John Graham (Environment); Jennette Walker (Environment); Ian Brebner (Property Owner); and Alyssa Keller (Public-at-Large).
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Office closes at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 25
At 4 p.m. on Tuesday, February 25, 2020, the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) office in Exeter is closed. It re-opens for regular business hours at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, February 26, 2020.
For this and other Notices of Service Disruption, please visit the Notices page:
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