New funds support landowner projects for Ausable River
Ausable Bayfield Conservation receives HSP funding to support stewardship projects, education and research
Habitat Stewardship Program funding in Ausable River watershed supports more local projects
The Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) is receiving $100,000 in federal funding to help aquatic Species at Risk in the Ausable River watershed.
Most of the funding will go to rural landowners for projects on agricultural and other rural lands to reduce sedimentation and improve habitat.
Projects eligible for funding include tree planting, cover crops, livestock exclusion fencing along watercourses, erosion control, wetlands, and management of invasive Phragmites. All projects are done on a voluntary basis. Most, if not all, cash costs of these local projects may be covered through grants.
The work in the Ausable River Watershed goes beyond the on-the-ground stewardship projects. The funding also makes it possible to provide local school programs, community events, freshwater mussel surveys, and rare fish habitat monitoring near Grand Bend.
The work is recommended in the proposed Ausable River Action Plan. The funding is provided through the federal Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk through Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
The ABCA has received Habitat Stewardship Program (HSP) funding for 15 years. This year’s work will build on past successes in completing projects that protect species at risk. The 2018-2019 funding alone helped landowners plant nearly 12 hectares of trees, more than 100 hectares of cover crops, and to create wetlands. As well, more than 10 in-school programs and three community events focused on local Species at Risk.
“The annual funding helps us to make continual improvements to water quality and cover costs for landowners who want to do projects to improve their farms and other rural properties,” said Kate Monk, ABCA Stewardship, Land and Education Manager. “Everyone wants to keep soil on the land and grants help to make this happen.”
People with land in the Ausable River watershed, from Exeter downstream, can apply for a grant by calling Ausable Bayfield Conservation at 1-888-286-2610.
The Ausable River supports one of the most diverse and unique communities of aquatic species for a watershed of its size in Canada. The watershed is 1,142 square kilometres in size with its source near Staffa in West Perth and enters Lake Huron at Port Franks in Lambton Shores.
Sedimentation from soil erosion on fields and along riverbanks; pollution; and degraded habitat (food, clean water, and shelter) are the main threats to Species at Risk in the watershed.
At least 26 mussel species, 85 fish species, and 21 reptile species have been found in the Ausable River and its tributaries. Many of these species are rare.
TREE PLANTING AND STEWARDSHIP PROJECTS SUPPORTED BY HABITAT STEWARDSHIP FUNDING IN AUSABLE RIVER WATERSHED: Local landowners can help improve habitat in the Ausable River watershed with tree planting and other projects including cover crops, erosion control, wetlands, livestock exclusion fencing along watercourses, and management of invasive Phragmites. New federal funding of $100,000, to Ausable Bayfield Conservation, from the Habitat Stewardship Program (HSP), will make it possible to reduce landowners’ costs to complete these projects. Most, if not all, cash costs of these local projects may be covered through grants. In photo at top, Ian Jean, Forestry and Land Stewardship Specialist with Ausable Bayfield Conservation, kneels by a planted seedling.
MONITORING, EDUCATION, AND STEWARDSHIP FOR AUSABLE RIVER WATERSHED: The Ausable River and its tributaries are home to at least 85 fish species, 26 mussel species, and 21 reptile species. A lot of those species are rare and even at risk. New federal funding will make it possible to conduct freshwater mussel surveys and rare fish habitat monitoring near Grand Bend, to educate the community about protecting species at risk, and to support on-the-ground voluntary stewardship projects by local landowners to improve habitat for these important species. Shown in photo, conducting a freshwater mussel survey, is Kari Jean, Aquatic Biologist with Ausable Bayfield Conservation.
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Partnership gives opportunity to ‘step in, speak out for Great Lakes’ in Goderich, Ontario, Canada on Wednesday, August 7, 2019
A team of regional agencies, organizations and local governments are partnering with the International Joint Commission (IJC) to host a panel discussion and community conversation on Wednesday, August 7, 2019 in Goderich, Ontario, Canada
After the International Joint Commission's August 6, 2019 stop in Collingwood, IJC’s second meeting on Lake Huron takes place in Goderich, on August 7, as part of the binational organization’s ‘Step In and Speak Out for the Great Lakes’ tour. The event gives area residents an opportunity to learn and talk about Lake Huron and Great Lakes water quality.
The meeting will bring together area residents with local experts, professionals and advocates to discuss their priorities for restoring and protecting Lake Huron and the Great Lakes.
Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and the meeting will run from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, August 7, 2019 at the Goderich Columbus Convention Centre and Banquet Hall, 390 Parsons Court, in Goderich. The meeting is free and all are welcome to attend with registration at ‘Step In and Speak Out for the Great Lakes: Goderich.’
Register now to attend:
The panel presentations and ensuing community conversation are relevant to residents living upland in the Ausable, Bayfield, and Maitland River watersheds, as well as residents living on and near the Lake Huron shoreline.
Amberley Gavel co-founder Nigel Bellchamber will moderate the panel discussion that includes presentations from:
- The Lake Huron Centre for Coastal Conservation about shoreline threats and opportunities on Lake Huron
- Headlands Ag-Enviro and the Huron Soil and Crop Improvement Association (HSCIA) about the water quality benefits of the innovative drainage demonstration project at Huron County’s Huronview Demonstration Farm
- Maitland Valley and Ausable Bayfield conservation authorities about the Healthy Lake Huron: Clean Water, Clean Beaches Partnership collaborative.
Participants also can ask questions and share their views and priorities with the panelists and the IJC’s six new Commissioners.
The International Joint Commission is a Canadian-United States treaty organization that seeks to prevent and resolve issues facing the two countries’ boundary waters. By engaging the public on their perspectives of Great Lakes health and completing its own research on issues facing the lakes, the IJC evaluates both countries’ efforts to restore the Great Lakes ecosystem based on the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement’s goals and objectives.
To learn more please visit the IJC’s website at:
To learn more visit these links:
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Check out these headlines:
- Love Your Greats Day is Saturday, August 10, 2019
- South Huron Trail Fundraiser Golf Tournament is Monday, August 26, 2019
- Septic grant applications until August 31, 2019
- Arkona Lions host Bruce Redman Anitque Car Show on Saturday, Sept. 21
- Owl Prowl is Saturday, November 2, 2019
- Beware of Giant Hogweed
- Hundreds attend drainage innovation demo day
- Volunteers, students plant at Jessica's House
- Flooding hits local communities May 25
- Septic system upgrade grants from County of Huron
- Local research reviews world soil health mapping
- Huron County supports water quality projects
- Office closed on August 5 and September 2
- Notices of Service Disruptions
- For more news, visit the Ausable Bayfield Conservation news page: Latest News
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