Conservation Dinner online auction returns in 2022
Week-long #VirtualConservationDinner online auction in 2022 begins March 31 and ends on April 7 at 9 p.m.
The Conservation Dinner Committee is bringing back the online auction for the second year in a row.
The charitable fundraiser went virtual for the first time in 2021 and it was a success in raising $40,000 for conservation projects in local communities.
The Committee has decided to return to the online format for 2022. The 2022 #VirtualConservationDinner online auction is to begin on Thursday, March 31, 2022 and ends on Thursday, April 7, 2022 at 9 p.m.
You may find out more at abca.ca and conservationdinner.com or phone 519-235-2610 or toll-free 1-888-286-2610.
Dave Frayne is Chair of the Conservation Dinner Committee. He says the committee had hoped to hold the dinner and auction in person this year but there is uncertainty during the current pandemic about whether a large in-person event could take place in April. He says the committee decided unanimously that it is prudent to return to the online auction format for 2022.
“We were so pleased by the community’s support of our first online auction last year and we hope donors and bidders will be just as generous in 2022,” he says. “We did look forward to meeting in person but since we don’t know what things will look like in April it’s safer to join together virtually this year in support of projects in our local communities.”
The Conservation Dinner is a partnership of the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation and Exeter Lions Club. This dinner and auction charitable fundraising event started in 1990.
Net profits are split evenly between community conservation projects of the Foundation and community conservation projects of the Exeter Lions Club. The event has raised more than $1.255 million for the community over more than 30 years.
Even when large in-person events are not possible the need to raise funds remains, according to the Dinner Committee Chair. The Conservation Dinner fundraiser supports needed projects, by Exeter Lions Club and Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation, in local communities.
The Exeter Lions Club has been a partner for more than three decades in the Conservation Dinner. The Exeter Lions Club, chartered in 1937, is part of the world’s largest and most active service organization. It is a group of service-minded men and women banded together to do things which cannot be done by individuals working alone. The club has actively fundraised for projects including development and maintenance of South Huron Trail, MacNaughton Park, and other nature and conservation projects. These are just some of the examples of their service in action.
Projects supported by the Dinner include community work by the Lions Club and community work by the Conservation Foundation. These projects, supported by auction sponsors and donors and bidders and volunteers, are many.
These needed community projects include parks and conservation areas; accessible nature trails in Bayfield, Clinton, Parkhill, Lucan, Arkona, Exeter, and Varna; outdoor nature education; a $1,000 student environmental bursary for students in local communities; a summer job at Ausable Bayfield Conservation for a senior secondary school student; turtle monitoring in Port Franks and Ailsa Craig; aquatic habitat studies in Old Ausable Channel at Grand Bend; and other
The Exeter Lions Club plans to bring back the popular 50-50 draw in 2022 for the fourth year. When tickets are available for this fundraising activity, the website link to purchase tickets online will be posted here:
The draw had a record prize of $6,300 in 2021.
Last year, the Dinner Committee partnered with participating local restaurants, for the first time, in a Dining for Your Community effort. Families could purchase their own ‘conservation dinners’ from participating restaurants during the week of the auction. This allowed them to support community projects, and their local businesses, in the process.
Organizers hope to bring back this dining venture for 2022. The committee invites local restaurants to take part.
To learn about Dining for Your Community and to watch for 2022 restaurant partners visit this web page:
Last year, for the first time, the Dinner Committee hosted two live TV broadcasts to kick off and cap off the auction week.
The Committee plans to bring back these popular livestream broadcasts in 2022. You may watch for details on this web page:
The broadcasts are scheduled for 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 31, 2022 and at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 7, 2022 (the last day of auction week).
To learn more about the online auction visit this web page:
A link to the online auction will be posted on this page when the online auction begins on March 31.
Learn more:
|
|
Nominate for Conservation Award
Consider nominating a person, farm, business, community group, or organization for the Conservationist of the Year Award.
The nomination deadline is February 24, 2022.
For nomination form, or to find out more, visit the award page:
|
|
|
Notice re: Mystery Falls Management Area and surrounding properties
Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) wishes to remind property users that several ABCA-owned properties are located on ‘No Winter Maintenance’ roadways.
This includes Mystery Falls Management Area and surrounding properties.
An increased concern for safety and risk of becoming stuck exists on ‘No Winter Maintenance’ roadways during the winter season.
No Winter Maintenance roads are not maintained between December 1 and March 31, annually. Inclement weather outside of this time frame may also result in the roadway not being maintained.
ABCA strongly urges property users to avoid accessing properties located along ‘No Winter Maintenance’ roads during the winter time frame.
Please visit the ABCA website at this link (Recreation) to to find another conservation area that you may visit, safely, during this time frame.
For this and other Notices, visit our Notices and Service Disruptions page:
|
|
|
|
Job posting – Stewardship Technician
Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) is accepting applications for the contract position of Stewardship Technician.
The contract is from March until December 2022. The contract may be extended beyond 2022.
For full details visit our careers page:
|
|
Job posting for Water Quality Technician
Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) is accepting applications for a contract position for a Water Quality Technician.
The Water Quality Technician assists the Healthy Watersheds Manager with projects related to water quality and conducting watershed studies.
For complete job details visit our employment page:
|
|
Career Opportunities with Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority
To learn about employment opportunities with Ausable Bayfield Conservation, please visit our employment page here:
|
|
|
Garlic Mustard Pull at Morrison Dam CA
The first-ever community Garlic Mustard pull will take place on Saturday, May 7, 2022 at Morrison Dam Conservation Area, at 71108 Morrison Line, two kilometres east of Exeter, from 10 a.m. to noon
Register now for the Garlic Mustard Pull:
Why remove Garlic Mustard? Garlic Mustard is an invasive plant that can have a negative impact on our forest ecosystem health.
Removing Garlic Mustard is a positive action we can take to protect forest health and steward the land.
Starting at 10 a.m., participants will learn how to identify Garlic Mustard (and Poison Ivy!) and how to effectively remove it. They will then be assigned an area to tackle.
All ages are welcome. Secondary school students can bring their Community Involvement Form to be filled out by Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) staff.
What to Wear:
- Dress for the weather.
- Long pants and close-toed shoes are recommended
- Please bring your own gardening gloves (optional)
- Please bring a face mask for when physical distancing is not possible
In order to keep track of numbers and collect contact information should the event need to be changed due to weather, please register here:
If you have questions contact Nina.
Learn more here:
|
|
Spring Tree Order Deadline Nears
The deadline for spring tree orders, accompanied by payment, is February 28, 2022.
To order trees, or for information on current species still available, visit our tree orders page:
|
|
|
Register now for Oaks and Acorns in March
Are you a parent of a child or children ages 2-4?
Join us Tuesdays in the woods at Morrison Dam to explore, play and deepen your relationship with nature.
Oaks and Acorns is for families with children ages 2-4.
It’s a great opportunity to meet new families and see your children thrive outdoors!
Register today for our March session: March 1; 8; 22; and 29.
Want to learn more? Visit:
|
|
|
|
