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‘Experience our Nature’ in Central Huron
By Mari Veliz, Healthy Watersheds Manager, Ausable Bayfield Conservation
‘Experience our Nature!’ is the invitation on the 2021 Central Huron Fall Guide. With an abundance of natural areas including the Lake Huron shoreline, watercourses, valley lands, wetlands, woodlots, Areas of Natural and Scientific Interest (ANSIs), and other environmentally sensitive areas, Central Huron has recognized its natural potential.
Watersheds in Central Huron are recognized as some of the more natural areas in the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) watershed area. In 2021, ABCA is celebrating its 75th anniversary (1946-2021) and would like to acknowledge the contributions the residents and the Municipality of Central Huron have made to balance the interests of development and natural protection.
The shoreline watersheds and the Bayfield River watershed joined the ABCA area in 1972. Over the years since then, there has been a ‘willingness to try something new’ to provide the basis for community, building a strong economic foundation including a vibrant agricultural sector, with a focus on protecting and enhancing watershed resources.
From a watershed perspective, small, jump-able temporary streams or swales account for 90 per cent of a river’s flow. How we manage these systems helps us better manage flooding, erosion and water quality in downstream rivers and lakes. Municipal staff at Central Huron, the late Tom Sinclair and Geoff King in particular, have demonstrated innovative approaches in the management of these ‘headwater’ systems. Responding to community concerns about water quality, Tom Sinclair helped to divert excess water from the Town of Clinton through a settling pond at the edge of Clinton.
The Municipal Drainage Superintendent of Central Huron, Geoff King, has helped to construct projects that help to meet ecosystem needs and improve agricultural production. The off-line sediment control pond on the Steenstra Drain, near the corner of Parr Line and the Bayfield Road, is one example. Mr. King also helped with projects in the Gully Creek study.
Mayor of Central Huron, Jim Ginn, has sat on the ABCA Board of Directors (2004 – 2012 and 2018) and served as the Chair of our Board (2010-2011). He promoted watershed actions that protect fish in Middlesex Centre; Bluewater; Huron East (with the Huronview Demonstration Farm); and (naturally!) Central Huron.
Since 2008, 30 landowners in Gully Creek, a shoreline tributary north of Bayfield, have employed many agricultural best management practices (BMPs) and supported the field and watershed monitoring. Best management practices have included reduced tillage, implementation of cover crops, nutrient management and the installation of 45(!) Water and Sediment Control Basins (WASCoBs or berms). The evaluation of Gully Creek has helped to develop a broader awareness, provincially, around the importance of cover crops, improved soil health, and a ‘stacked’ approach to agricultural BMP implementation.
In context of the broad community support to recognize nature in Central Huron, recent land donations to the Huron Tract Land Trust Conservancy, including the Woodburne Farm and Mayhew Tract properties, demonstrate the deep commitment by members of the community. These donations mean that natural areas in the Municipality of Central Huron will be protected and experienced for generations to come.
– 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 #AusableBayfield75th anniversary year, for their partnership, over the past 75 years, which helps to protect life and property, watershed resources, water, soil, and habitat for all living things.
To learn more visit abca.ca and this web page:
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It’s No-Till November!
Share photos on our social media channels of your un-tilled fields or stubble after harvest (#KeeptheStubble)
You could win a subscription to No-Till Farmer and this T-shirt.
Post your photo.
Tag @LandWaterNews
The draw winner is to be chosen on #WorldSoilDay
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Oaks and Acorns
Oaks and Acorns continues in December 2021 and January 2022
Oaks and Acorns is a play and inquiry based program for ages 2-4 years old with caregiver.
Registration for the November sessions is full but new sessions of the program begin on November 30, 2021.
There are sessions in December of 2021 (November 30 and December 7; 14; and 21) and in January of 2022 (January 4; 11; 18; and 25).
Registration, for the December sessions, closes Monday, November 22, 2021.
Registration for the January 2022 sessions closes on Monday, December 27, 2021.
The program takes place in the beautiful woods around Morrison Dam Conservation Area east of Exeter.
Learn how to assess risk and help your child explore and deepen their relationship with nature.
Find out more here:
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It's time to winterize your rain barrel!
Rain barrels are a simple way for landowners to harvest rain water and they help to meet increased water demands without taxing municipal drinking water systems or private wells.
An added benefit is that this water is not running off the land where it could transport soil and pollutants into our storm sewers, creeks, rivers, lake, and drinking water sources.
It's about water conservation and water quality.
Regular maintenance of your rain barrel includes clearing debris from the filter basket on occasion.
- Before winter, protect your product and your warranty.
- Empty and rinse the rain barrel with a garden hose.
- Remove the spigot and consider using olive oil to lubricate the ball valve.
- Disconnect all hoses and consider placing them and the spigot inside the barrel for safe storage.
- Do not permit water to enter the barrel during winter.
- Water expands when it freezes and even a small amount can cause a rain barrel to crack.
- Strong winter winds can send an empty rain barrel rolling away.
- Consider storing the barrel in a basement, garage or under a deck.
- If storing the barrel outside, to ensure water does not enter the rain barrel, consider turning it upside down or laying it on its side.
For more details, see the Rain Barrel Winterization video from rainbarrel.ca:
Find out more about winterizing your rain barrel:
Learn more here:
(Photo courtesy rainbarrel.ca)
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New video features local realtor, crop advisor, committee agricultural
representatives
A new video shares convenient online drinking water source protection mapping tools that will be of interest to real estate agents, certified crop advisors, farmers, and property owners, especially those interested in purchasing or leasing property.
The video features local realtor Rick Lobb; local certified crop advisor Mervyn Erb; and source protection committee agricultural representatives Mary Ellen Foran and Bert Dykstra.
Watch the video now:
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New drinking water source protection music video
Conservation Ontario and local source protection authorities completed a three-week public information campaign, in October, about drinking water protection zone signs.
New education tools have been created, including a song, music video, social media posts and an online mapping application about signs across Ontario.
Watch the music video now:
Find out more:
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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 articles about the Municipality of Central Huron and the Township of Adelaide Metcalfe.
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In it for
the long run . . .
75 years of Conservation – Township of Adelaide Metcalfe
By Kate Monk, Projects Coordinator, Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA)
Conservation is not new to Adelaide Metcalfe.
The Township of Adelaide was a founding member of the former Ausable River Conservation Authority, established in 1946 through a partnership between local municipalities and the Province of Ontario.
The township has had a representative, a voice and a vote at the boardroom table ever since. As such, it is part of a 75-year effort to conserve water and soil and shows commitment from councils, staff and landowners.
Sixty-six square kilometres (16,308 acres) in Adelaide Metcalfe township drain into Adelaide Creek. The headwaters are near Highway 402 and enter the Ausable River north of Keyser in North Middlesex. From there, the Ausable River flows through the Ausable Gorge, Ausable River Cut and eventually reaches Lake Huron at Port Franks. The municipality is also in the Sydenham River watershed which is part of the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority.
Several landowners have worked with Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) staff to complete on-the-ground projects such as tree planting, wetland creation and erosion control that conserve soil and water in the community and downstream.
David Ball, of Ball Farms, is one of those landowners. He has been doing conservation projects on his farms for 30 years. He was a Conservationist of the Year Award winner in 1992 after he completed a project to fence cattle out of the watercourse and provide alternate watering. Since then he has planted trees on several farms and along creeks.
These trees have many benefits including protecting the creek banks, holding onto soil, and providing shade which lowers water temperatures for aquatic life. In the days when there was cattle at Ball Farms they did fencing and planting projects to reduce erosion. Erosion from wind and runoff is always an issue so “trees help to keep the soil in place.”
David is one of many landowners in the Township of Adelaide Metcalfe who are planting trees and practising land stewardship to protect soil health and water quality. David says he’s not the only one planting trees – his neighbours are also working with the conservation authority to plant trees for the future.
Ball Farms is located near Kerwood, Ontario.
David is the third generation of his family to farm at the family farm. “I have been here all my life as was my father before me and his father before him,” he said. He is a self-described tree lover and bird lover who has worked with Ausable Bayfield Conservation to plant about 40 acres of trees.
“Over the years I’ve planted a number of trees,” he said. When visited at his farm by ABCA Forestry and Land Stewardship Specialist Ian Jean, David jokes that “I try to keep Ian busy.” About 10 per cent of David’s property is in trees. He has planted trees in areas where it’s not practical to farm. “I’m putting the trees back where it’s not practical to use the big machinery of today,” he said.
David likes the wildlife that shows up after he has planted trees, like deer and many kinds of birds (including meadowlarks, red-winged blackbirds, finches, orioles, turkeys, woodcocks, and hawks.) As trees grow, “species show up we didn’t have before,” he said. David enjoys Carolinian tree species and he also enjoys the changing of colours in autumn when deciduous trees drop their leaves. People enjoy watching the trees grow over the years, he said.
We thank David for his efforts and we thank all the landowners making stewardship improvements in the Township of Adelaide Metcalfe. In the past 10 years, four landowners have restored 9.4 acres of wetlands and enhanced or retired an additional 9.6 acres of wet area surrounding the wetlands in Adelaide Metcalfe. In addition, 500 trees were planted around one of the wetland sites. These projects consist of excavations and berms to hold back water in flood plain areas.
The wetland projects help to provide water storage on the landscape during storm events reducing flooding and erosion downstream. They allow sediments and nutrients to settle out in the wetland and provide filtration, reducing the sediments and nutrients that end up in the rivers or Lake Huron.
Landowners have been doing good work beyond their partnership with the two conservation authorities. Everyone has a role to play in protecting water for current and future generations and we thank them for their efforts.
– 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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Win me!
Show us your cover crops and you may win a Don’t Farm Naked T-shirt.
How?
Post your photo to social media.
Tag @LandWaterNews
Use #CoverCrops hashtag or email photo to hbrock@abca.ca
Multiple fields and photos = more entries!
The winner is to be randomly chosen from entries on November 15, 2021..
Find out more:
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Contractors, property owners reminded getting proper permits can avoid unwanted costs later
Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) is reaching out to local contractors, property owners to emphasize importance of getting permits for work in regulated areas
Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) is reminding local contractors and property owners that getting the proper permits can help to avoid unwanted costs later.
Most contractors are already aware of permit requirements, according to ABCA staff, but there have been some cases where contractors have undertaken work without the proper permits and that results in expenses later for everyone. That’s why it’s important both the property owner and the contractor know what’s required, and ensure they have approvals in order before work commences, staff say.
Homeowners can protect themselves by asking their contractors to provide a copy of the permit to ensure everything is in order.
Conservation authority staff say the message is simple: Call first when considering construction projects, earthworks, and grading of slopeworks. The proponents will then know for sure if their planned work meets provincial regulations and local policies and whether it can be considered for permit approval.
“When property owners and contractors call us first it saves time and money because then they know what’s required before they start any work and they avoid unnecessary costs later,” said Geoffrey Cade, ABCA Water and Planning Manager. “It makes a major, positive difference when property owners and contractors contact us early on. We are then able to let them know whether their property is in a regulated area and what policies allow and what they don’t.”
Regulated areas, where work requires a permit, include shoreline areas and watercourses among others. Before beginning any construction work, dumping of fill, or watercourse alterations contact ABCA and your municipality to determine if you are in a regulated area. For maps of regulated areas visit this web page:
“The earlier the better is a great rule of thumb for contacting us,” he said. “In some cases, our staff may be able to offer advice on how you can amend your plan so it can meet the regulation and policies. Staff can also let you know what documents to submit and if any studies are needed.”
In 2018, ABCA created a fact sheet with information for landowners and contractors who are proposing shoreline protection works and Checklist for Applications for Shore Protection. The checklist includes details about what’s needed in terms of drawings and plans and other submission requirements. The fact sheet outlines application submission requirements, application fees, and ABCA’s application review process for shoreline protection. The two documents are on the abca.ca website at this link:
ABCA staff advise landowners that it's a good idea to review their permits and be aware of any conditions that are included. Some of these conditions apply during construction and others might apply to future use of a building.
“It’s really valuable to review this information with your contractor before construction,” he said. This helps to avoid unwanted surprises, he said.
During the current pandemic, many people have spent more time at their home or seasonal home and invested money in building, upgrades, or other development. Starting the work without knowing what's required could lead to major expenses if that work begins without a permit. That’s why, staff say, they are reminding contractors and property owners of the need to call first. Staff at ABCA guide applicants through the permit process.
To find out more visit abca.ca or contact Meghan or Daniel, by email through the staff contacts page, or by phone at 519-235-2610 or toll-free 1-888-286-2610. To learn more visit the Planning and Permits web page at abca.ca at this link:
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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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