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We appreciate your interest in the work of landowners and other partners, like you, who are creating healthier Ausable Bayfield watershed communities. This newsletter is to let you know about opportunities for stewardship funding and technical support, programs, events, community news, the work of Ausable Bayfield Conservation and its partners, and ways you can help improve water quality, forest conditions, and habitat in your community.
Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority New Logo

Low water advisory for entire ABCA watershed area

Prolonged dry weather and no spring snow melt contribute to record low stream flows for April
Low Water Advisory Level !The Ausable Bayfield Water Response Team (WRT) has issued a Level 1 Low Water Advisory for the entire Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) watershed area. The team made the decision based on record low stream flows and continuing dry weather. April rainfall amounts across the watershed ranged from 20 to 40 millimetres (at the top end of the scale that’s not much more than 1.5 inches), less than half of the amount which can typically be expected for the month. Drier than normal weather in April was a continuation of a warm and dry March. In addition to a lack of rainfall, the absence of a spring snow melt has had significant impacts on local stream flows, according to ABCA. For more information visit: http://www.abca.websmart.ca/lowwater-advisory.php?NewsID=143    
Weston Foundation helps urban students

Weston Foundation helps brings urban children to camp

More students across Ontario are getting an outdoor experience unlike any other.  Toronto and Region Conservation (TRCA), along with The Living City Foundation and Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority, are pleased to announce the expansion of the Weston Family Environmental Leaders of Tomorrow Program.  The program will now launch in Windsor, Sarnia, London, Chatham and St. Catharines due to the generous support from The W. Garfield Weston Foundation. Over the next three years, more than 4,500 students from urban communities across Ontario will be provided the field trip of a lifetime, immersing them in a natural setting at one of Ontario’s five premier outdoor education centres and inspiring them to become the next generation of environmental leaders in their community. For more information visit: http://www.abca.websmart.ca/newsfull.php?NewsID=299
Gord Strang Memorial Golf Tournament

Gord Strang Memorial Golf Tourney on June 4

Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation hosts Seventh Annual Gordon Strang Memorial and Friends of the Trail Golf Tournament Monday, June 4 with charitable event moving to morning start in 2012: A popular annual charitable golf tournament is moving to a morning tee-off. Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation is hosting the Seventh Annual Gord Strang Memorial and Friends of the Trail Golf Tournament on Monday, June 4 at Ironwood Golf Club, 70969 Morrison Line, just east of Exeter, Ontario, off Highway 83. Community volunteers have been hosting this fundraiser, in support of the accessible MacNaughton-Morrison Section of the South Huron Trail, since 2006. Last year the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation took on the organizing role and this year ‘Friends of the Trail’ was added to the event’s name to reflect all the people in the community who support the trail and the tournament. For more information phone 519-235-2610 or toll-free 1-888-286-2610 or visit www.gordstrangolf.com or http://www.abca.websmart.ca/newsfull.php?NewsID=293
Volunteers wanted to help with Foundation fundraising

Conservation Foundation members improve local environment

Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation invites volunteers to consider serving on Board of Directors: Are you enthusiastic about conservation education, accessible trails and hiking, creating outdoor recreation and nature opportunities, and supporting water quality and local species monitoring? If so, the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation (ABCF) may be looking for you. The Conservation Foundation released a call for volunteers this month. Directors make a positive difference for their watershed community but they also learn a lot, have a lot of fun, and work with a dynamic and diverse board. Information on the Conservation Foundation’s projects, and the Board of Directors, is available at: http://www.abca.on.ca/main.php?page=foundation Someone with an interest or experience in helping with fundraising activities would be a major asset on the volunteer board of the charity, according to the Conservation Foundation. If you would like to find out about this, or other, volunteer opportunities call Ausable Bayfield Conservation at 519-235-2610 or toll-free 1-888-286-2610 or e-mail info@abca.on.ca

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Ausable Bayfield Maitland Valley Drinking Water Source Protection Committee

Drafts of Source Protection Plans expected soon

Watch website for Notice in coming days: The Ausable Bayfield Maitland Valley Drinking Water Source Protection Committee will be releasing Drafts of Source Protection Plans for the Ausable Bayfield and Maitland Valley source protection areas in the coming days. Notice will be posted on the website at http://www.sourcewaterinfo.on.ca For information on public meeting opportunities and source protection planning and financial incentives for landowner stewardship projects near municipal wells, download the newspaper-size publication, Protecting Our Water Together, which has been distributed to 41,000 households in the region. Download http://sourcewaterinfo.on.ca/uploads/DWSP-Flyer-Tabloid-2012.pdf (1 mb - large file).  To subscribe to the Drinking Water Source Protection newsletter sign up at: http://eepurl.com/dE4V-/
Huron County Clean Water Projects funds for landowner projects

County of Huron provides grants for landowner projects

Hundreds of projects proceed thanks to county investment, landowner participation
The County of Huron is continuing to make clean water a priority through the Huron County Clean Water Project. County council approved $350,000 this year for the project’s work to protect and improve local water by supporting practical, on-the-ground projects by county landowners. The Huron County Clean Water Project has just announced the 2012 list of eleven types of eligible projects and grant rates. Eligible projects include wellhead protection and decommissioning, wetland creation, stewardship guide implementation, diversion of water from manure and exercise yards, erosion control, manure storage decommissioning, stormwater management, livestock fencing, fragile land retirement, and community and special projects. Huron County residents can receive funding for up to 50 per cent of the cost of their eligible voluntary projects. For more information visit: http://www.abca.on.ca/newsfull.php?NewsID=302 
Parents bring back summer nature day camps

Parents help bring back Summer Nature Day Camps

Businesses also invited to send a child to camp
 

When word spread that Summer Nature Day Camps might not take place in 2012 several local parents got busy to ensure the popular outdoor local learning opportunities for children would take place this year. The interest of parents and guardians in the future of this conservation education program has prompted Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) to bring the camps back. The camps, based on a minimum registration of 15 children, will take place this August 13-17, 2012. To find out how to register your own children, or how to send a child to nature day camp, visit: http://www.abca.on.ca/newsfull.php?NewsID=298
One day only free gate admission at Rock Glen

Eighth Annual Arkona Lions Car Show and Community Day at Rock Glen Conservation Area is Saturday, September 15, 2012

This is your one opportunity this year to visit Rock Glen Conservation Area in Arkona and not pay gate fee: The Eighth Annual Arkona Lions Car Show and Community Day takes place on Saturday, September 15, 2012 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Rock Glen Conservation Area, 8680 Rock Glen Road, Arkona. Vehicle admission for car show entrants is only $5. Spectators enter free! No gate fee this day only!
There are: dash plaques and goodie bags to first 100 cars, door prizes and food for sale by Arkona Lioness Club. This event is sponsored by Arkona Lions and Lioness Clubs and thanks to them, and ABCA, you will be able to visit Rock Glen (home of the world-famous fossil and artifact displays at Arkona Lions Museum and Information Centre and home to beautiful Rock Glen Falls). For more information call 519-828-3433 or visit website at abca.on.ca. Some things to enjoy at this family event are: Classic Cars • Playground • Walking Trails • Museum • Fossil and artifact viewing • Much more! For more information visit:
http://abca.on.ca/newsfull.php?NewsID=295
Government of Canada improves accessibility in Ausable Bayfield watersheds

Government of Canada improves accessibility in Ausable Bayfield area

MP Ben Lobb announces $50,000 in funding for accessibility improvements at ABCA public-access office

Ben Lobb, Member of Parliament for Huron-Bruce, highlighted, on Friday, May 4, federal support for the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority which will expand opportunities for people with disabilities and improve accessibility. MP Lobb made the announcement on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development. "Our government is supporting people with disabilities and their families," said MP Lobb. "Through the Enabling Accessibility Fund, this project will help people with disabilities by improving access to facilities, activities and services at the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority." The Enabling Accessibility Fund supports community-based projects across the country that improves accessibility and enables all Canadians, regardless of physical ability, to participate in and contribute to their communities and the economy. The Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority is receiving $50,000 to widen doorways, install automated door openers and an elevator. For more information visit: http://www.abca.websmart.ca/newsfull.php?NewsID=294
BEAN helps local students learn about important species

BEAN helps local students attend Biodiversity Day Event

About 100 local students, parent/guardian volunteers, and teachers will learn why it is important to protect different plants and animals in local lakes and rivers, on Monday, June 4 at Morrison Dam Conservation Area near Exeter, thanks to a grant from the Biodiversity Education and Awareness Network (BEAN). The BEAN International Biodiversity Day (IBD) Grant Fund grant will cover the cost of busing and some new equipment so that Grades 4-8 students get a chance to attend this active, outdoor educational event. For more information visit: http://www.abca.websmart.ca/newsfull.php?NewsID=300
Student Environmental Award from Conservation Foundation

Cash award for post-secondary student

Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation offers $1,000 Student Environmental Award for student studying in field related to conservation: The Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation has announced it will present a Student Environmental Award of $1,000, for the third straight year, to a local student towards their post-secondary studies in a field related to the environment or conservation. Eligible students must apply by Friday, June 1, 2012 by 4:00 p.m. local time. For more information and application, visit the Ausable Bayfield Conservation  website at abca.on.ca or download the application form at: http://abca.on.ca/downloads/ABCF-Enviro-Award-2012-REV.pdf. For more information visit: http://www.abca.websmart.ca/newsfull.php?NewsID=290
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