Landowners plant tens of thousands of trees each year with benefits to their properties and to watershed community
Autumn is good time to plant trees, forestry specialist says, as leaves turn colour and trees enter dormancy; Fall Tree Order Form is available online at abca.ca
Autumn doesn’t begin until September 23 but now is a good time to order trees for fall planting, according to Ausable Bayfield Conservation.
Local landowners plant tens of thousands of trees each year through spring and fall tree order programs. This tree planting provides benefits to individual properties and also to the larger watershed community, said Ian Jean, Forestry and Land Stewardship Specialist with Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA).
“People who plant trees can see benefits at the property scale in terms of wind protection and shade and more birds and wildlife,” he said. “The benefits of individuals planting trees extend to the entire watershed community in protecting our shared soil and water resources and improving the resiliency of our natural systems which face new pests and a changing climate.”
Spring and fall are both good times to plant trees, Ian said. “Weather cools in these seasons,” he said. “While trees are in dormancy in fall or spring, they are better able to handle the stress of transplanting.”
Certain trees, types of planting stock, and locations are better suited than others to fall planting. “Frost heaving can be a problem for fall planting of very small, bare-root seedlings, which are available in spring,” Ian said. “In the fall, we handle only larger trees in pots or in root-ball-in-burlap format and we have good success planting those larger-size trees.”
The two-foot Cedar and Spruce are great choices for field windbreaks and watercourse buffers. The potted deciduous trees can be planted to add diversity to help make forests more resilient to future environmental pressures across the watershed. Properties, landowner goals, and projects are all unique, which makes it important to plan tree planting projects on an individual basis for site success, staff say. However, what all tree planting and other stewardship projects have in common, is their contribution towards watershed health, providing benefits which extend beyond the limits of the project site itself.
“Each individual project is part of larger, collaborative effort,” Ian said. “Every year this involves hundreds of people planting tens of thousands of trees, maintaining watercourse buffers, planting cover crops, each doing their part to improve watershed conditions. It is important to recognize the tremendous support for watershed stewardship within our community.”
The Forestry and Land Stewardship Specialist encourages interested landowners to visit abca.ca for the fall tree order form or to give him a call at 519-235-2610 or toll-free 1-888-286-2610 to discuss planting projects. “We’re happy to help with project design and help to apply for funding for eligible projects,” he said. There is a cost to order trees through the fall tree planting program but there may be incentive grants available for some tree planting projects. Cost-share funding may be available dependent on the type and size of project, location and specific program details.
Ausable Bayfield Conservation accepts fall tree orders (emailed, mailed or faxed) until September 15, 2023. People can order trees in person or by phone, accompanied by payment, until September 29, 2023. The fall tree order form is posted at the conservation authority website at abca.ca on the Order Trees web page.
Ausable Bayfield Conservation thanks those who support, and contribute towards, improving watershed conditions. These include federal, provincial, county and municipal partners as well as agencies and private donors.
|
|
Producers learn about cover cropping techniques during Cover Crop Bus Tour
It was a beautiful day on August 11, 2023 for the Cover Crop Bus Tour.
The Huron County Soil and Crop Improvement Association (HSCIA) hosted the cover crop bus tour along with Ausable Bayfield and Maitland Valley conservation authorities.
Twenty-seven agricultural producers and local agency staff toured three different farms where cover crops are being utilized in different ways.
Geoff Alderdice, who farms near Kippen, explained how he has been using cover crops on his farm. His cover crops are typically planted after wheat. Although his early years of cover crop use began with Clover, he now prefers to use a multi-species mix.
Nathan Cann hosted the second stop near Exeter. This is part of a rye-after-corn trial organized by Huron Soil and Crop. Twelve producers are involved in this trial, which saw rye planted after corn was harvested last fall. Mervyn Erb, who has been assisting with the trial, explained some of the observations thus far, such as weed control, but further results are anticipated after this year’s soybean harvest.
The last stop was Joel Brodie’s farm, near Brucefield, where he outlined the economics of grazing cover crops. This involved an extensive fencing project for his sheep and cattle.
“Today was a great day to see what producers are doing to incorporate cover crops into their rotations, and to have the discussions about what is and isn’t working, and how we can get more cover crops on the ground,” said Wim Feddes, President of Huron Soil and Crop.
In addition to the three stops, participants enjoyed a tour of the grain elevators (Parrish & Heimbecker, Limited) in Goderich, and a tour of the Huronview Demonstration Farm near Clinton.
The bus tour organizers would like to thank all the producers for hosting and sharing their experiences, and to Aden Lawlor, of P & H Ltd., for providing an informative tour.
|
|
Commemorative Woods Tree Dedication Service
The Commemorative Woods Tree Dedication Service takes place on Sunday, September 17, 2023 at 2 p.m. at Morrison Dam Conservation Area, 71108 Morrison Line, RR 3 Exeter, Ontario.
Please gather at 1:30 p.m., and bring a lawn chair and an umbrella.
|
|
Donate to help create, restore and enhance wetlands
One way you can help to improve wetland conditions in Ausable Bayfield watersheds is to donate to wetland creation.
Find out more or donate now:
You may phone in your donation, mail it in, etransfer it, or click on the PayPal link and select where you want the donation to go (for example, wetlands).
Thank you for taking this positive action.
|
|
|
|
|
Community raises $10,500 for kayak launch at Morrison Dam Conservation Area
New floating kayak launch at Morrison Dam Conservation Area (MDCA) east of Exeter makes it easier, and safer, to get into, and out of, Morrison Reservoir (Morrison Lake); More than 100 women take part in women’s sunset kayak night on August 22, 2023
Community members have raised $10,500 for a new floating kayak launch at Morrison Dam Conservation Area (MDCA) east of Exeter. The kayak launch was possible thanks to a community-wide fundraising campaign led by Exeter resident Susan Riddell.
The kayak launch allows kayakers to safely enter and exit Morrison Reservoir (Morrison Lake).
Nathan Schoelier is Stewardship and Lands Manager with Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA). He said the new kayak launch, installed at the conservation area, is thanks to the initiative and dedication of the organizers and the community.
“This is an amazing example of community leadership and effort,” he said. “This simply would not have been possible without the hard work of the organizers and without the support of the community.” The kayak launch offers a way for people to experience nature and gain a new appreciation for nature in their own backyard, he said.
Exeter’s Susan Riddell said it was worth all the effort to see the smiles on the faces of people using the new kayak launch. She said kayaking is a wonderful way to enjoy nature. “Kayaking in nature is good for physical health and for mental health,” she said.
She thanked all the people in the community who supported the cause, including kayakers, local donors, businesses, and service organizations.
The kayak launch fundraising campaign would like to acknowledge the following donors:
- C. J. Exeter Inc. (Crabby Joe’s)
- South Huron Optimist Club
- Ondrejicka Elevators Limited
- Harry and Margaret Knip
- Syfilco Ltd.
- Hansen’s Your Independent Grocer – Exeter
- Frayne’s Exeter Toyota
- Huron Tractor
- Huron Motor Products
- Matt Den Hollander – Experience Camping RV Sales
- Jayden’s Mechanical – Jayden Desjardine.
Susan Riddell and Brianne Webber hosted a women’s sunset kayak night, on Morrison Reservoir, on August 22, 2023. More than 100 kayakers took part in the event to celebrate the installation of the kayak launch. The kayak night raised $1,600 for Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Huron, thanks to the raffle of a new kayak, which was donated by Canadian Tire – Exeter.
|
|
Opportunity for public feedback continues until September 15
The public feedback period for the first phase of the Watershed-Based Resource Management Strategy (WBRMS) takes place until September 15, 2023 at 1 p.m.
Learn more:
Provide your feedback through the Watershed-Based Resource Management Strategy survey.
|
|
|
Reminder of deadline to apply
Tuesday, September 12, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. local time is deadline to apply for Watershed Technologist position.
To learn more, visit the Ausable Bayfield Conservation employment web page.
|
|
|
Cover Crop Incentive Program – Apply now for funding
There is funding available to assist with your cover crop projects through the Cover Crop Incentive Program.
To apply, please find application forms on the Ausable Bayfield Conservation cover crop web page.
|
|
|
Turtle release event attracts more than 500 people in 2023
An estimated 577 people learn about turtles and habitat at eighth annual turtle hatchling release event, co-hosted by Huron Stewardship Council and Ausable Bayfield Conservation, at Morrison Dam Conservation Area east of Exeter
The Huron Stewardship Council (HSC) and Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) co-hosted the eight Annual Hatchling Turtle Release event on Thursday, August 31, 2023. An estimated 577 people, including about 300 children, attended the event, at Morrison Dam Conservation Area, two kilometres east of Exeter.
Sheldon Paul is HSC Fieldwork Coordinator. He says the event, to release turtle hatchlings back into the wild, was a great day and the weather was beautiful. He thanked everyone who attended and everyone who donated towards turtle conservation.
“This event is a great way to reach hundreds of people and give them a chance to see turtles and to learn about these important species and the habitat they need to survive and thrive,” he said.
Donations, combined with net proceeds from sales at the event, will support turtle conservation work.
The turtle release event included live reptiles from Scales Nature Park, family-friendly activities, and educational displays.
Turtles help to control aquatic vegetation and to clean creeks and wetlands by eating algae and dead and decaying fish and other organisms. People can protect turtles by watching for turtles on roads when driving, helping them safely cross roads in the way they are headed, protecting nests from predators, and reporting turtle sightings to community monitoring projects. Enhancing turtle habitat is also vital.
“Some things we can do, to sustain our turtle species, are to plant native trees and shrubs, restore and enhance wetlands, and grow natural areas,” said Hope Brock, Healthy Watersheds Technician with Ausable Bayfield Conservation.
The turtle hatchling release event has taken place since 2016 (it was held as a virtual event in 2020 and 2021).
Ontario’s native freshwater turtles face many threats including habitat loss and road mortality (death by cars and other vehicles). Hundreds of turtles in Ontario are hit by cars each year in the spring, summer, and autumn. These could be gravid (pregnant) females looking for a place to lay eggs, or males and females looking for new ponds and mates.
People can help turtles by creating nesting habitat on their properties, stopping to help turtles cross the road in the direction they are heading (when it is safe to do so), and working with their local municipalities and communities to erect turtle crossing signs and build safe passages. People can also arrange for transport of injured turtles to the turtle hospital. People can also act to protect, create, and enhance the natural areas that provide the habitat for turtle hatchlings to eat, drink, reproduce, and grow and become the adult turtles of tomorrow.
To learn more visit the Huron Stewardship Council website, and the Ausable Bayfield Conservation turtles web page, or email the HSC (huronstewardship@gmail.com).
Find out more:
|
|
|
|
