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If you would like to watch videos about local landowners, community groups, and staff working together on projects to enhance our watershed, visit our YouTube channel:
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NEW SIGNS RECOGNIZE COVER CROP PLANTING BENEFITS – Margaret Kroes, who farms with her husband, Jack, near Clinton, Ontario, is one of the local agricultural producers planting cover crops. New signs, saying ‘We’ve Got it Covered!’ are in place at several farms of participating landowners in Bayfield and Lake Huron tributary watersheds. The signs have been placed in a number of local fields to recognize the work of area farmers to build soil health and protect water quality by increasing cover crop planting.
It's Ontario Agriculture Week (October 4-10, 2021)!
To thank local farmers planting cover crops, in the Bayfield and Lake Huron tributary watersheds, there are new cover crop signs ('We've Got it Covered!') this autumn.
Signs recognize work by farmers to protect soil and water
This autumn watch for signs in the Bayfield and Lake Huron tributary watersheds that declare ‘We’ve Got it Covered!’ These signs have been placed along fields where cover crops (e.g., Clover; Radish; Ryegrass; Sunflower) have been planted earlier in the year.
Cover crops are crops which cover the soil in between cropping seasons. In this area, cover crops are often planted after wheat and are left in the ground over the winter.
Keeping the ground covered during this time helps reduce wind and water erosion during large storm events and snow melts. In turn, this keeps valuable soil out of creeks, rivers and Lake Huron. Reduced erosion is just one benefit of cover crops. In addition to this, they can add organic matter, reduce nutrient losses, improve fertility, reduce compaction and aid in water management depending on what species are planted.
The aim of this campaign, which was adapted after one that took place in New Hampshire, is to recognize farmers who are making these efforts on their land, and to encourage others to think about how they could use cover crops in their operations.
“Cover crops help producers protect and improve their soil, and in doing so, the water they protect benefits everyone,” said Hope Brock, Health Watersheds Technician with Ausable Bayfield Conservation.
Thanks to funding from the Fred A. and Barbara M. Erb Family Foundation and the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, landowners in the Bayfield and Lake Huron tributary watersheds were eligible for an enhanced cost-share Cover Crop Boost Program that offered $30 per acre, up to 100 acres, for planting cover crops. This program could also be paired with funding from the Huron County Clean Water Project, which provided an additional $15 per acre. In total, more than 2,000 acres of cover crops were planted through the Boost Program.
“We are pleased to see so many producers interested in planting cover crops and it has been great to be able to support them in doing so,” Hope said.
Interested in cover crops, but not sure where to start? You may contact your local cover crop seed supplier, talk to your neighbour, or contact your certified crop advisor.
You may also want to use the cover crop decision tool here:
If you are a farmer planting cover crops in the Bayfield and Lake Huron tributary watersheds, and you would be interested in a sign on your farm, please contact Hope Brock at Ausable Bayfield Conservation at hbrock@abca.ca or toll-free 1-888-286-2610, extension 246.
WE’VE GOT IT COVERED! – Brandon Coleman, of Coleman Farms near Kippen, Ontario, is one of the local agricultural producers planting cover crops. New signs, saying ‘We’ve Got it Covered!’ are in place at several farms of participating landowners in Bayfield and Lake Huron tributary watersheds. The signs have been placed in a number of local fields to recognize the work of area farmers to build soil health and protect water quality by increasing cover crop planting.
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When the Arkona Lions Museum and Information Centre reopens in 2022, thousands of visitors will know more about watersheds, and protecting them, thanks to the installation of a piece of art called A Watershed of Clay.
Watch the video now:
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Members of the Winters family are shown at the arbour at the entrance to the Klondyke Commemorative Woods in Grand Bend. This arbour, with a mounted sign saying Winters Walk, is in memory of Hank Winters, one of the founders of the Lakeshore Eco-Network, who was the inspiration for this project. The Lakeshore Eco-Network erected the Arbour thanks to a Community Vibrancy Grant. The Arbour houses plaques for the founding donors of the Klondyke Commemorative Woods.
Klondyke Commemorative Woods creates living legacies in Grand Bend
Planting trees is a time-honoured way of paying tribute to loved ones and celebrating special events. Thanks to the newly created Commemorative Woods at Klondyke Park, Grand Bend will now have a space where people can create living memorials.
The Klondyke Commemorative Woods is a partnership between Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation; the Municipality of Lambton Shores; and the Lakeshore Eco-Network. The planting is now complete, with almost 200 trees planted by Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA). The Woods consists of groves of various native species, including White Pine; White Cedar; Sugar Maple; Red Maple; Red Oak; Chinquapin Oak; White Oak; and Sycamore. The trees will be cared for by ABCA staff.
When the opportunity arose to support the project, the Rotary Club of Grand Bend made it a part of Autumn Indulgence, the Club’s gala fundraising event. After the success of its water refill station project, the Rotary Club was looking for another project that benefitted both the environment and the community. Some $36,000 for the planting of memorial groves was raised at Autumn Indulgence, giving the project a huge boost.
The Lakeshore Eco-Network, thanks to a Community Vibrancy Grant, erected an arbour to mark the entrance to the Woods and also house the plaques for the founding donors. On the arbour is mounted a sign, ‘Winters Walk,’ in memory of Hank Winters, one of the founders of the Lakeshore Eco-Network, who was the inspiration for this project.
“Hank was a great believer in the importance of planting trees to help fight climate change and enhance biodiversity,” said Lakeshore Eco-Network Chair Max Morden.
With the planting complete, Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation offers the opportunity to donors to sponsor individual trees in memory of loved ones. Abbie Gutteridge is Secretary for Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation. “We have five other Commemorative Woods sites in our area, and now we are extremely pleased to have one in Grand Bend,” she said. “This will fulfill a need that will help the entire community.”
The Commemorative Woods also has important, long-term benefits.
"There are so many reasons for planting trees,” said Ian Jean, Forestry and Land Stewardship Specialist at Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority, who planted the trees. “They have environmental benefits, such as sequestering carbon, creating wildlife habitat and protecting against soil erosion, but also in recognition of milestones and loved ones, and in building community and a legacy for future generations.”
To learn more visit:
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In this photo, Ausable Bayfield Conservation staff members monitor mussel populations in the Little Ausable River, downstream of the Township of Perth South. Stewardship projects by participating landowners in the Township of Perth South help to reduce runoff and protect aquatic species at risk.
Perth South plays important role in Ausable River headwaters
Stewardship work in Perth South helps to protect mussels downstream
By Shevaun Verhoog, Aquatic Resource Technician, Ausable Bayfield Conservation
While most of the Township of Perth South drains toward Lake Erie, and only a small portion of the township is located in the Ausable Bayfield watershed (draining towards Lake Huron), the area is an important one as it contributes to the headwaters of the Ausable River.
Tributary streams along Highway 23, between Woodham and Whalen Corners, form the headwaters of the Little Ausable River. The Little Ausable runs through the Township of Lucan Biddulph before joining and becoming the Ausable River. This river eventually reaches Port Franks where it drains into Lake Huron. These streams are starting points for the lives of many animals. Some of these aquatic creatures are classified as species at risk, due to a decline in their populations.
Species found in the area include freshwater mussels. Freshwater mussels spend most of their life buried in the streambed. Freshwater mussels are similar to clams. They are known as bivalves. This means they are two shells attached on a hinge.
Mussels filter through water for their food and, as a result, they can act as indicators for water quality based on changes in their populations. In the Ausable River we find 26 different species of freshwater mussels. Six of those species are considered species at risk. These include the Kidneyshell; Snuffbox; Northern Riffleshell; Wavy-rayed Lampmussel; Rainbow Mussel; and Mapleleaf Mussel.
These animals prefer clean, cool, and flowing water as their habitat, and can live for many years. They are vulnerable to changes in water quality, such as an increase of pollution or siltation. Decreases in the water quality can result in a decline in the freshwater mussel populations, as they are unable to survive significant changes to their natural habitat.
Stewardship projects within Perth South, and other municipalities within the watershed, have helped decrease runoff of soil, pollutants and sediment. Field windbreaks, tree lines, vegetative buffer strips, and berms all help slow the flow of water running off into the streams. This helps maintain critical habitat for these species at risk. Projects like these can have impacts on the streams adjacent to where they are but can also influence the lives of species living all along the Ausable River.
This maps shows the section of the Township of Perth South that is within the ABCA watershed area. For a larger version of this map visit the abca.ca website.
Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority celebrates its 75th anniversary (1946-2021) this year and we want to recognize projects and partnerships since 1946 in our 12 member municipalities. Today we thank the Township of Perth South, and participating landowners, for their decades of stewardship and partnership. We look forward to continuing biomonitoring research and stewardship projects in Perth South and our other watershed municipalities, over the next 75 years!
– In 2021, Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) is celebrating its 75th anniversary (#AusableBayfield75th 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.
Learn more:
The Wavy-rayed Lampmussel is a local freshwater mussel species at risk. Positive stewardship actions by landowners and residents in the Township of Perth South help to protect this and other species.
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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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