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Nathan Schoelier is new Stewardship and Conservation Lands Manager
Former stewardship manager Kate Monk is now ABCA’s Projects Coordinator
Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) has announced its new Stewardship and Conservation Lands Manager is Nathan Schoelier. Nathan has been Stewardship Technician with ABCA since 2018. He assumed his new position in September 2021.
“We are extremely pleased to have Nathan take on more responsibility in management of our important stewardship and conservation lands programs,” said Brian Horner, ABCA General Manager and Secretary-Treasurer. “Nathan has excelled in delivery of stewardship in our local watershed communities over the past four years. He has proven his abilities and we will benefit greatly from his stepping into this leadership role.”
The organization’s former department manager, Kate Monk, has taken on the role of Projects Coordinator with ABCA. This year (2021) is the 75th anniversary of Ausable Bayfield Conservation and conservation authorities in Ontario. She will work on organizational strategies and land management plans as the conservation authority looks towards the next quarter century of watershed management in this part of Ontario. She will play an important role, working closely with municipalities and the Province of Ontario, following recent changes to regulations and legislation including the Conservation Authorities Act.
“ABCA and the entire watershed is extremely fortunate to have someone with Kate’s skills, experience, and personality to take on this key role as we look to the future of the local work needed to protect our watershed resources,” Brian said. “It will be a real asset to have both Kate and Nathan as cornerstones in our local watershed management future.”
Prior to working at Ausable Bayfield Conservation, Nathan Schoelier worked as a Land Management Technician with Upper Thames River Conservation Authority between 2015 and 2017. He completed the Ecosystem Restoration program at Niagara College between 2016 and 2017 and prior to that he completed the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Technician program at Sault College between 2014 and 2016.
Nathan is a resident of the Township of Perth South and he said having been raised in a rural community has been a real asset in his work with Ausable Bayfield Conservation.
“I am honoured to be named as the new Stewardship and Conservation Lands Manager and I look forward to continuing our close partnership with rural landowners and municipalities on projects that make improvements in our watershed communities,” he said. “I look forward to managing our conservation areas and forests as we balance the needs of the environment and citizens.”
Kate Monk has a 30-year record of service with ABCA. She has worked in education and communications and most recently private land stewardship programs and conservation land management.
“I would like to congratulate Nate on his hiring as the new Stewardship and Conservation Lands Manager and I know he will do well in his new position just as he did in his previous role,” Kate said. “I am excited to take on the new challenge of Projects Coordinator at an important crossroads in watershed management.”
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Order trees!
Don't forget, Ausable Bayfield Conservation accepts faxed, mailed, and e-mailed tree orders until September 17, 2021.
We accept orders accompanied by payment until September 30, 2021.
Learn more:
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Landowners in Middlesex Centre have long history of taking positive stewardship actions in local watershed
Tributary streams contribute surface water, groundwater to system
By Ian Jean, Forestry and Land Stewardship Specialist, Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority
The rolling fields and productive farmland of the Municipality of Middlesex Centre supply water to three of southern Ontario’s major watersheds: the Ausable, Thames, and Sydenham.
The Ausable River itself does not flow through Middlesex Centre but several tributary streams contribute surface and groundwater to the system. These tributaries support important fish habitat and spawning areas within these streams and downstream in the main Ausable and, eventually, Lake Huron.
Farm owners and residents of Middlesex Centre have a long history of land stewardship and conservation work. For the past 75 years, Ausable Bayfield Conservation has been fortunate to be able to work with the community to help with conservation projects for the benefit of its residents and the broader watershed. During the last two decades alone, Middlesex Centre landowners have partnered with Ausable Bayfield Conservation to complete more than 50 conservation projects.
If you drive along any of the rural roads you will see the results of these efforts: tree-lined streams, field windbreaks, and wetlands. Less visible but equally important are in-field grassed waterways and erosion control berms. These stewardship projects are very important for controlling surface water flow, reducing soil erosion and flooding, and reducing sedimentation of streams. By keeping topsoil in fields, this infrastructure also improves soil health and agricultural productivity. That’s a true win-win.
Community leadership has been central to conservation. Local residents and farmer volunteers involved in the Middlesex Stewardship Council helped to support Ausable Bayfield Conservation efforts and projects in the area for many years. More recently, Trees for Lobo Township, a project started and run by community volunteers and now adopted by the Lions Club of Poplar Hill, provides trees for roadside planting in Middlesex Centre. During the past nine years, this initiative has seen more than 2,200 trees planted along roadsides in the township.
Nairn Creek is the largest tributary stream in the Ausable portion of Middlesex Centre. Fed by groundwater springs at its headwaters near Denfield, where it is also known there as Denfield Creek, the water runs south to Lobo Township, then turns northwest to join the Ausable at Nairn. Nairn Creek is significant in that it provides coldwater habitat for Brook Trout. This fish species has particular water quality requirements such as constant water flow, cold water temperatures, high oxygen concentrations, low suspended-solid concentrations, and streambeds free of silt. The presence of Brook Trout is a testament to local conservation efforts, and highlights the importance of ongoing stewardship and care to ensure the viability of the trout.
Funding support, from local, provincial and federal programs is available to local landowners for many conservation projects. One of the key roles of Ausable Bayfield Conservation is providing technical advice and assistance in securing financial support for these beneficial projects.
As we celebrate 75 years at Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority, we look forward to continuing this important work in partnership with the community.
– 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.
To learn more visit abca.ca and this web page:
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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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