Ask a Forester with Ian Jean
Forestry Specialist Ian Jean, of Ausable Bayfield Conservation, will answer your questions at an event called Ask a Forester at Linfield Wildlife Area.
The event takes place on Wednesday, September 28, 2022 at 5 p.m.
Ian will discuss woodlot management.
You will have a chance to learn about:
- Beech Bark Disease. What is it? Learn what to look for and management options.
- Emerald Ash Borer: How do you restore your woodlot after the 'killing front'? Ian will provide you with management options.
- Tree planting and stewardship Incorporating tree planting and stewardship into your agricultural system.
Linfield Wildlife Area is located half a kilometre west of Goshen Line, on Pavillion Road.
To learn more phone 519-235-2610 or toll-free 1-888-286-2610.
Find out more:
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Order trees now for planting this autumn
Ausable Bayfield Conservation has posted its tree order form for autumn 2022.
The fall tree order form is available online at this link:
Ausable Bayfield Conservation accepts orders accompanied by payment until September 30, 2022.
To find out why trees change colour with the seasons read this article:
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Happy World Water Monitoring Day! (Sunday, September 18, 2022)
World Water Monitoring Day is coming up on Sunday, September 18, 2022.
Find out about original research happening along or near Lake Huron's shore to assess the state of our watershed resources and to guide strategic projects to protect natural areas and to enhance areas that need remediation:
Learn about how monitoring of water quality and aquatic species informs restoration work in the important Old Ausable Channel (OAC) ecosystem in the Grand Bend area:
Read about how Ausable Bayfield Conservation works with other partners to help study Lake Huron water quality:
Watch for more articles and social media posts about World Water Monitoring Day, part of the EarthEcho (World Water Monitoring) Water Challenge, leading up to September 18 and throughout the year.
#MonitorWater
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Visit us at
Froggy Fest
When 34 members of the watershed community, representing a wide range of interests, met over the course of a year to develop our Conservation Strategy, they made soil health a priority along with protection of water and habitat for all living things.
This Saturday, September 17, 2022 we will be promoting best practices for soil health at Froggy Fest, a "celebration of conservation and creativity" in Goderich, Ontario.
Froggy Fest is hosted at Courthouse Park by WorldRooted: the Art Project for People; Lake Huron Coastal Centre; and Goderich BIA.
Organizers invite you to " ... meet the incredible reptiles and amphibians who call us neighbours," and to "zoom in on the mega-important microbiome in our soil ..." and to "... discover how super-hero plants cool our planet, prevent erosion and clean our water."
They invite you to learn how to fight plastic pollution to keep our local ecosystems happy and healthy.
Learn more:
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Owl Prowls at two conservation areas
Ausable Bayfield Conservation hosts Owl Prowls at Rock Glen Conservation Area on October 22, at Morrison Dam Conservation Area on November 5; Owl Prowl at Rock Glen Conservation Area is first one ever held there by ABCA
The popular Owl Prowl is returning in 2022 with two dates and locations.
The Owl Prowls take place at Rock Glen Conservation Area (RGCA), Arkona, on Saturday, October 22, 2022 and at Morrison Dam Conservation Area (MDCA), east of Exeter, on Saturday, November 5, 2022. The Owl Prowls start at 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. both dates.
Nina Sampson is a Conservation Educator with Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA). She said the two October 22 sessions are the first times this conservation authority is hosting an Owl Prowl at Rock Glen. “We are excited to bring back the Owl Prowl in 2022 and we are also excited to host our first Owl Prowls at Rock Glen Conservation Area,” she said. “It’s wonderful to host this event at different times and at different locations in our watershed area.”
The Owl Prowls are held to raise awareness of nocturnal creatures in the watershed and to raise funds for conservation education programs provided by Ausable Bayfield Conservation. “These events are a great chance to get out and active in nature, listen for owls, learn about animals that are active at night, and to support needed conservation education programs.”
The maximum number of people at each time slot is 50. Half of each group starts inside to learn about adaptations owls make. The other half of the group begins with a short trail walk to listen to, and call for, owls. Afterwards, each half switches so the inside group goes outside and the outside group goes inside. Space is limited for the events and tickets must be reserved in advance, according to organizers.
Rock Glen Conservation Area is located on the outskirts of Arkona at 8680 Rock Glen Road. Morrison Dam Conservation Area is located 71108 Morrison Line, just two kilometres east of Exeter, just south of Highway 83.
To learn more about the Owl Prowls, visit the Ausable Bayfield Conservation website at abca.ca and go to the Owl Prowl page. There are links provided to register for the Rock Glen Owl Prowl or to register for the Morrison Dam Owl Prowl.
When registering for the event, registrants have the option to add a donation to Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation. The Conservation Foundation provides charitable gift receipts, for income tax purposes, for donations of $20 or more.
Owls are incredible creatures of the night. Over the years, hundreds of people have learned about owls and their amazing nocturnal adaptations at the annual Owl Prowl.
(Owl photo by Paul Armstrong)
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Lakeshore Eco-Network, Lambton Heritage Museum host Spirit of the Forest Festival
Museum admission is free during forest event
Lakeshore Eco-Network is hosting a celebration of trees and forests on Saturday, October 1, 2022 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., at Lambton Heritage Museum in Grand Bend.
Museum admission is free during this event in support of this initiative.
The Spirit of the Forest Festival will include fun children’s activities, tree story time, walks, live animals, informative displays, food, and more. It is being held in conjunction with the native tree and plant sale co-hosted in the spring and autumn by Lakeshore Eco-Network and Friends of Pinery Park.
“Trees are certainly worth celebrating,” said James Corcoran, Chair of Lakeshore Eco-Network (LEN). "(Trees) clean the air, shelter wildlife, reduce flooding and erosion, and reduce noise pollution. Most important of all, they sequester carbon dioxide and give off oxygen, playing an important role in fighting climate change.”
Ausable Bayfield Conservation is presenting activities such as a scavenger hunt, testing your leaf identification skills, making a seed ball to take home, and more.
A unique aspect of the Festival is the opportunity to experience forest bathing with practitioner Katie Van den Berg.
Developed in Japan during the 1980s, forest bathing is the contemplative practice of being immersed in the sights, sounds, and smells of the forest. The benefits of forest bathing include decreased anxiety, a strengthened immune system, reduced blood pressure, increased energy, and increased ability to focus.
Festival participants can also create 'seed bombs,' clay covered mounds of wildflower seeds and growing soil that can be used to create pollinator gardens to support butterflies and bees. The first 200 participants will receive a free Maple or Hemlock seedling to plant at home, courtesy of Corcoran.
“We’re happy to support this unique event," said Lambton Heritage Museum Curator and Supervisor Dana Thorne. "The museum grounds provide the perfect backdrop with its Oak Savanna surroundings,” she said. “We hope this event raises awareness of environmental matters and provides fun opportunities for learning.”
“The event is for everyone who loves trees, and surely that’s everyone,” said Max Morden, Co-Chair of the Eco-Network. “While there’s a serious message, it will be a fun and festive occasion for all ages.”
For more information on the event, visit the Lakeshore Eco-Network website or visit the Festival’s Facebook page.
Follow Lambton Heritage Museum on Facebook or visit the Museum website or more information on upcoming Museum events and exhibits.
Find out more about the Native Tree and Plant Sale, hosted by Friends of Pinery Park and Lakeshore Eco-Network on the Pinery Provincial Park Events web page.
On that web page, you may choose from their list of native plants and trees that are grown to thrive in this area and place your order online.
The plant sale takes place between 9 a.m. and noon at Lambton Heritage Museum just south of Grand Bend on Highway 21.
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