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We hope you are enjoying our Ausable Bayfield Conservation 75th Anniversary feature article profile series on our 12 member municipalities. In this issue, enjoy the article on stewardship in the Township of Warwick.
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Stewardship in Warwick Township has positive downstream benefits for Rock Glen Falls, Ausable River, species at risk
Residents in Township of Warwick planting trees, properly disposing of household hazardous waste, enhancing wetlands, protecting water and soil
By Abbie Gutteridge, Chair, Ausable Bayfield Conservation 75th Anniversary Planning Committee
Rock Glen Falls, located at Rock Glen Conservation Area in Arkona, Ontario, has always been an attraction to hikers, nature lovers and photographers. Rock Glen Falls feeds into the Ausable River, an important river system that provides habitat to several species at risk. Many people do not consider the origin of the Rock Glen Falls, however. Where does that water come from? The Hobbs-McKenzie Drain, along with several smaller drains, directly feed Rock Glen Falls. A portion of the drainage area lies north of Townsend Line but most of the watershed drainage area is located in the Township of Warwick.
The positive stewardship actions taken in this watershed directly protect the quality of water at Rock Glen Falls. This positive work also protects species at risk found in the Lower Ausable River. Those species at risk include the Snuffbox; Northern Riffleshell; and Mapleleaf mussels.
In total, a little more than 17 square kilometres of Warwick Township fall into the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) watershed, while the majority contributes to the Bear Creek Headwaters; Brown Creek; as well as the Plympton Shoreline and Lambton Shores Tributaries in the St. Clair Region watershed.
Art Eastman lives and farms in Warwick Township. He is one of the landowners who does what he can to protect soil and water. For years, Mr. Eastman has planted trees and windbreaks on his property. “This is a windy area, so the main reason we plant the trees is to protect against wind erosion,” he said. He also noted it was good for wildlife in the area. In addition, he has established wetlands on his property.
Positive actions throughout the Township of Warwick include tree planting projects, streambank stabilization, and establishing and enhancing wetlands. All of these individual actions add up to benefits for water quality downstream.
The Township of Warwick is also proactive in making sure there are opportunities for residents to dispose of large waste items and electronics. In October, the township hosted its Annual Fall Cleanup, which allows township residents to take their large waste items and electronics to several depots, free of charge. By providing an easy way to dispose of these large items and electronics it protects creeks and rivers because it reduces the chance they might end up disposed improperly. Making it easy for residents to properly dispose of these items goes a long way towards keeping our watershed clean.
We have been lucky to work in close partnership with the residents of the Township of Warwick for 75 years and we look forward to many more years of protecting our water, soil, and habitat together.
– In 2021, Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) is celebrating its 75th anniversary (1946-2021) and 75 Years of Conservation. ABCA is honouring its 12 member municipalities, during this anniversary year, for their partnership, over the past 75 years, which helps to protect life and property, water, soil, and habitat for all living things.
Read the entire feature article here:
To read the feature articles on other member municipalities visit our #AusableBayfield75th web page:
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Fish Species of the Ausable River
Do you know what fish species live in the Ausable River?
Join Ausable Bayfield Conservation's aquatic biologist, Kari Jean, as she introduces you to some of the amazing fish species of this nationally important river.
Find out more about the Ausable River Action Plan (ARAP):
Watch the video now:
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Municipal Feature Series (Read them all!)
Have you missed any of our feature articles on member municipalities in the Ausable Bayfield watershed?
This series, profiling stewardship and conservation in local municipalities, continues throughout Ausable Bayfield Conservation's anniversary year in 2021.
Enjoy (and share!) the feature articles (so far!) in our 75th anniversary series on local member municipalities:
Watch for our upcoming feature articles on stewardship and conservation projects in: Municipality of Lambton Shores; Municipality of Bluewater; and Township of Lucan Biddulph!
We will post those in the coming weeks on the #AusableBayfield75th Anniversary web page:
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Ausable Bayfield Conservation, Ontario Streams restore streambank, work with Southcott Pines in Grand Bend
Join Ausable Bayfield Conservation Healthy Watersheds Technician Rosalind Chang as she discusses work which took place to restore a streambank to help protect the important Old Ausable Channel (OAC) ecosystem.
Ausable Bayfield Conservation worked in partnership with Ontario Streams and Southcott Pines Park Association (SPPA).
Watch the video now:
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Oaks and Acorns helps children deepen relationship with nature
The Oaks and Acorns program, for children ages 2-4 years old with caregiver, is a play and inquiry based program that takes place in the beautiful woods around Morrison Dam Conservation Area east of Exeter.
Registration closes Monday November 22, 2021 for the December 2021 session (November 30, December 7; 14; and 21)
Caregivers have until Monday, December 27, 2021 to register for the January 2022 session (January 4; 11; 18; and 25)
There are also sessions scheduled for 2022 on Tuesdays in February, March, April, May, and June.
For registration dates and other details visit this web page:
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It's No-Till November!
Thinking about making the switch to no-till?
Talk to other no-till farmers or check out these tips:
Funding for tillage equipment modifications is available through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership. Application intake opened November 15, 2021 with a cost-share of 40 per cent, up to $20,000.
To learn more, visit:
Consider keeping the tillage equipment in the shed. No-till improves soil health by not disturbing soil microbes. It improves the soil’s water holding capacity and keeps soils in place, preventing harmful runoff and erosion; and saves time, money (fuel) and wear on equipment.
... and dont' forget to share photos of your un-tilled fields or stubble after harvest. You could win a subscription to No-Till Farmer and a 'No-Till, No Problem' T-shirt. Post your photo. Tag @LandWaterNews The draw winner is to be chosen on #WorldSoilDay
Back in the 1980s, agricultural producers in Ausable Bayfield and Maitland Valley watersheds could try out a no-till drill to see how it worked for them. A 1980s partnership with the Huron Soil and Water Conservation District provided farmers the opportunity to borrow a no-till drill on a 10-acre trial basis. Many local farmers were early adopters of conservation tillage practices.
#KeeptheStubble
#NoTillNovember
#AusableBayfield75th
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The office is currently closed to visitors until further notice, in response to the current pandemic, but staff continue to deliver programs and services and are available to serve you by email and phone and Zoom video conference and on site using coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic protocols. Programs and services, including essential services and flood forecasting and warning, continue. For updates and current notices of service disruptions and adaptations visit abca.ca
71108 Morrison Line,
RR 3 Exeter, ON
N0M 1S5
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Staff continue to serve you by email and phone during regular business hours, weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but the office continues to be closed to visitors until further notice at the time of this newsletter. Staff are equipped to work remotely and on site using pandemic safety protocols. For current notices of service disruptions and adaptations, and updates, visit abca.ca
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