PHOTO INFORMATION: Shown planting trees are some members of the stewardship team at Maitland Conservation (left to right): Marisa Roefs (Stewardship Technician); Dayden Frey (Summer Student); Ben Van Dieten (Stewardship Projects Lead); and Shannon Millar (Restoration Lead).
Landowner helps with Maitland reforestation
Local participating landowner works with Maitland Conservation to plant more than 12 acres of trees and shrubs
This past spring (2023), a participating landowner in the Maitland Valley watershed partnered with Maitland Conservation to restore more than 12 acres of pasture within the flood plain of the Maitland River.
The landowner, with coordination provided by the stewardship team at Maitland Conservation, and with funding support from various sources (including Huron County Clean Water Project; and Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund of Environment and Climate Change Canada), was able to plant 9,000 seedlings with 100 per cent funding.
The planting crews planted eleven species. These species included Eastern White Pine; Swamp White Oak; Eastern White Cedar; Sycamore; White Spruce; and Highbush Cranberry.
This diversity of species will improve the plantation's resiliency for weather extremes and changes in climate, pest and disease pressures, and provide a dynamic habitat for wildlife.
The newly-treed slopes and low-lying areas of the prior pastures will reduce erosion as the tree roots grow into and stabilize the soil. Water, carrying nutrients and sediment from the surrounding landscape, will be intercepted by the trees, reducing the potential for pollutants and sediment from entering Lake Huron through our watershed’s river systems.
A 1.6-acre wetland is being constructed this year and, with an additional seven acres planned to be planted in following years, this reforestation project comes to span a total of 20 acres.
Maitland Conservation staff are actively in search of similar projects in flood plains, as well as in marginal farmland, wet fields, and on hillsides. Ideally, they are seeking projects of two or more acres in size that could be planted in the Spring of 2024.
Landowners in the Maitland Valley watershed are encouraged to reach out with their planting ideas and restoration inquires to:
Contact Maitland Conservation by phone:
- Shannon Millar, Restoration Lead, 519-335-3557, extension 233
- Marisa Roefs, Stewardship Technician, 519-335-3557, extension 235
To learn more about tree planting and other stewardship projects and funding please visit:
Read more:
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Huron County’s Clean Water Project has helped landowners protect soil, water for almost two decades
Grants for water quality projects by agricultural producers and other rural landowners and community groups protect water resources in Huron County; Farmers and other Huron County residents complete thousands of projects to benefit of soil health and water quality
Agricultural producers and other rural landowners in Huron County, along with other county residents and community groups, have completed more than 3,645 water quality projects, since 2004, with grants from the Huron Clean Water Project (HCWP).
This partnership of industry, community and local government has benefitted local water and soil resources for almost two decades. The support of this County of Huron initiative has made it possible to:
- Plant more than 40,000 acres of cover crops.
- Plant more than 675,000 trees on more than 1,000 acres.
- Establish more than 230 kilometres of windbreaks.
- Fence cattle out of more than 25 kilometres of creeks.
- Complete almost 300 erosion control projects and more than 250 Forest Management Plans.
- Upgrade more than 430 private wells.
- Decommission more than 610 unused wells and more than 100 liquid manure storages.
Find out more:
To learn more about the Huron Clean Water Project, and projects that may be eligible for a grant, visit the County’s Clean Water Project page at HuronCleanWaterProject.ca.
The HCWP funds up to 50 per cent of the cost of voluntary stewardship projects. In some cases, when combined with other funding programs, up to 100 per cent of the direct project costs may be funded.
If you are in Huron County, to apply for funding, or to learn more, call Maitland Conservation at 519-335-3557, extension 245, or Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority at 519-235-2610 or toll-free 1-888-286-2610, extension 263. Staff can help you to apply for grants and to make the process really simple.
If you are not in Huron County, talk to your local conservation authority or conservation organization to find out about technical expertise and financial incentives which may help you complete positive actions for Lake Huron in your watershed community.
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Ipperwash Beach Cleanup is September 9
St. Clair Region Conservation Authority (SCRCA) is holding its Ipperwash Beach Cleanup on Saturday, September 9, 2023, between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.
In its 11th year, the 'end-of-summer' cleanup invites volunteers to meet at Centre Ipperwash Beach Boat Launch (end of Ipperwash Road) for a garbage cleanup after a busy summer. All ages are welcome.
Organizers wish to remind participants to be prepared for walking along sand and road surfaces, to wear close-toed footwear, and to bring a refillable water bottle. Latex gloves, masks, and sanitizer are to be available.
If you are a secondary school student looking for an opportunity to accumulate volunteer hours, SCRCA staff will gladly provide confirmation of your participation in the cleanup.
To learn more, and to register/RSVP for the event, contact Emily Febrey, Communication and Education Technician, by email at efebrey@scrca.on.ca
The cleanup event is hosted with support from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA).
Learn more:
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Fish presentation held following fish die-off along Lake Huron and Ausable River
Ausable Bayfield Conservation and researchers from University of Toronto Scarborough hosted an information session, called Healthy Waters, Healthy Fish, at Port Franks Community Centre on Friday, August 25, 2023.
The presentation was held to provide information to concerned residents after a large number of dead fish, of different species, were reported over several kilometres of Lake Huron shoreline and along the Ausable River in July.
More than 60 people attended the session and it was clear that residents continue to be concerned about this event, its impact on our fish, and about preventing future events like this one.
The presenters provided information about the fish die-off, which affected at least eleven species of fish, and about proposed community-wide and multi-agency actions needed to help protect Lake Huron's fish species.
To learn more visit this web page:
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Plant trees, manage stormwater, enhance wetlands in your watershed
There are tree planting and stewardship programs in your watershed community.
Talk to your local conservation authority or conservation organization to find out about technical expertise and financial incentives that can help you to plant trees, improve stormwater management, enhance wetlands or create other nature-based solutions in your local watershed.
Conservation authorities and other local conservation organizations are some of the partners, in the Healthy Lake Huron Partnership, helping you to build soil health, improve water quality, enhance and protect habitat, reduce negative impacts on species, and to build watershed resiliency along Lake Huron's southeast shore.
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Local youth catch the drift with Lake Huron Coastal Centre
Wrapping up the 2023 summer season, participants of the Coastal Conservation Youth Corps say they feel they’ve made an impact on Lake Huron’s shoreline.
Participating in week-long sessions, these secondary-school students took positive action to restore the ribbon of habitat edging Lake Huron while learning about the dynamic coastal environment.
In Saugeen Shores, restoration work on the Gobles Grove public beach caught the attention of passers-by who learned from participants how newly-planted American beach grass and low shrubs will act as a living fence to minimize sand blowing over a newly reconstructed roadway.
“Plants can effectively remove energy from the wind-blown sand, causing it to drop and initiate dune formation,” said Holly Westbook. "Driftwood sentinels were also fun to construct and install to add a beachy aesthetic.”
While some conservation efforts may be less obvious, they are certainly valued. Litter collection leaves the shore in a healthier and more natural condition and aids in reducing plastic pollution in this freshwater system.
“We combed the beach, picking up every tiny bit we could find – even the smallest pieces of styrofoam were recorded using Ocean Wise Shoreline Cleanup data sheets,” said Kerry Kennedy, Program Coordinator. “Participants now know it’s easy to plan a cleanup and that tallying the types of litter can inform future policy decisions. Being aware of the magnitude of plastic pollution in the lake motivates us to clean up, even during informal beach visits.”
Removing invasive species makes way for native plant species to flourish. This supports the food web and habitat needs of diverse organisms. Working alongside residents of Southcott Pines in Grand Bend, the Goderich team pulled heaps of invasive Eurasian watermilfoil, using long ropes to drag oversized flexible rakes.
Duncan Croft expressed gratitude, saying, “The time which you put in today will help revive the health of the Old Ausable Channel. As a bonus we got to connect with members of our community and make some new friends.”
Researchers from the University of Toronto will follow up to monitor the impact of this removal effort on the rare aquatic species found here.
Sunset Park, a favourite lookout spot on the steep bluff overlooking the Goderich shoreline, also received a make-over as participants pulled invasive Himalayan balsam before seed development occurred on these pink flowering plants. Planted in their place, deep-rooted native grasses will provide stability without interfering with the view, as will Ninebark, an exceptional native shrub with high wildlife value.
Erinn Lawrie, Executive Director of Lake Huron Coastal Centre (LHCC) said "applying their learning about the many impacts on a healthy Lake Huron, youth participants are now better equipped to care for this Great Lake and support a resilient coastal community throughout their lives."
The Lake Huron Coastal Centre is seeking financial support from the community to see this initiative succeed into the future.
Youth interested in taking part can learn more on the Coastal Conservation Youth Corps web page.
Watch the video here:
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