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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 - .to help protect soil, water, and living things.
Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority New Logo

Blyth interim artistic director Peter Smith to be special guest at gala dinner and auctionConservation Dinner names special guest

Conservation Dinner committee announces Blyth Festival interim artistic director to be special guest at 24th annual gala auction: Peter Smith’s career has spanned three decades in theatre, film, television

The Conservation Dinner committee has announced that the special guest for the 2013 gala dinner and auction is Peter Smith, the interim artistic director at the Blyth Festival. “We are extremely honoured and excited to have Peter Smith agree to be our special guest for the 2013 Conservation Dinner,”  said Dinner Committee Chairman Bob Laye. “Peter has accomplished a great deal as artistic director at the Blyth Festival, and other  Canadian theatres, and he has also achieved success as a writer for television, film, and stage.” For more information visit:
http://www.abca.on.ca/newsfull.php?NewsID=347

 

Holiday Monday Family Day WinterFest is back

Family Day WinterFest South Huron is back bigger than ever this Holiday Monday, February 18
A full day and evening is available to enjoy free showshoeing as well as a Winter Birdfeeding talk and much, much more

It's here! Family Day WinterFest South Huron, including Friends of the South Huron Trail events such snowshoeing and a winter birdfeeding talk, is here!
WinterFest has lots of new events this year like: Euchreama (pre-registration NOT required); Scavenger Hunt, Winter Birdfeeding Workshop, darts, Curling Club Open House, and more.
It also has lots of traditional favourites such as the Lions Club Breakfast, fireworks, Free Snowshoe Rentals, Clowns and Face Painting, In Motion FREE Family Skate, tobogganing, indoor
and outdoor ice skating, a free PG-rated Disney movie, and more.
For more information visit:
http://familydaywinterfest.ca/family_day_winterfest_schedule.html
 

Carolinian

Landowner Leaders Program to assist landowners in southern Ontario to conserve habitat

Landowner Leaders Program initiative will assist landowners in southern Ontario to create, protect and conserve habitat for the province’s species at risk: The Carolinian Canada Coalition has received funding from Environment Canada’s Habitat Stewardship Program to initiate a Landowner Leader Program initiative, with a goal of inspiring and guiding private landowners to ‘Save, Steward and Seed’ species-at-risk habitat in the Carolinian Life Zone – one of the most fragile and ecologically diverse landscapes in Canada.  The program will work closely with landowners and local conservation partners in southwestern Ontario through outreach, assistance and recognition initiatives.
For more information visit:
http://www.abca.on.ca/newsfull.php?NewsID=346
Order trees now!

Spring tree order deadline nears
 Reduce wind-caused erosion and enjoy many of the other benefits of planting trees

The date for mail-in tree orders has passed but there is still time to make over-the-counter tree orders by the end of February. (Payment of all orders is due by February 28, 2013). The spring tree order form, and more information, is available online at http://www.abca.on.ca/trees.php or by phoning 519-235-2610 or toll-free 1-888-286-2610. Tree planting for windbreaks can reduce wind-caused erosion. “Topsoil is a very valuable
resource,” said Forestry and Stewardship Specialist Ian Jean. “We had two big windstorms last spring that reminded us how quickly it can be lost.” Ausable Bayfield residents can order several kinds of tree species through the spring tree program. Species include Norway Spruce, White Spruce, White Cedar, White Pine, Tamarack, Silver Maple, Red Oak, Bur Oak, Black Walnut, Black Cherry, Sycamore, Tulip Tree, Red Osier, Dogwood, Staghorn Sumac, Nannyberry Viburnum, Austrian Pine, Serviceberry, Autumn Blaze, Sugar Maple, and Highbush Cranberry.
For more information visit:
http://www.abca.on.ca/newsfull.php?NewsID=340



You are invited to unveiling of Watershed Report Cards at Conservation Awards in March

Conservationist of the Year to be recognized on March 21: The Conservationist of the Year will be named at an annual early-evening awards ceremony hosted by the ABCA Board of Directors on Thursday, March 21, 2013 at Ironwood Golf Club on Morrison Line, just east of Exeter. The local conservation organization has presented this award to deserving people or groups every year for close to 30 years. The award recognizes people or organizations from the watershed community who have demonstrated outstanding conservation achievements. Their positive actions may be improving forest conditions, bettering local water quality and quantity, supporting environmental education, implementing best management practices, restoring wetlands, or protecting fish and wildlife habitat. The March 21 event promises to be an interesting one with the launch of the highly-anticipated new Watershed Report Cards.
For more information visit:
http://www.abca.on.ca/newsfull.php?NewsID=337
Early bird prize draw coming up

Get your ticket now and earn a chance to win the Conservation Dinner's Early Bird Prize Print
 Tickets for gala dinner and auction must be purchased by February 22 to win a chance at Elisabeth Tonner-Keats's Midday Pause print

Would you like to win a beautiful, limited-edition print is by popular artist Elisabeth Tonner-Keats? If you buy your Conservation Dinner ticket by February 22 you could be entered into the early-bird draw for the print
Midday Pause, number 168 of 475. The chance to win this wonderful print is an extra incentive to buy a ticket early for the gala dinner and auction. The draw for the print will take place on Monday, February 25. The 24th Annual Conservation Dinner takes place Thursday, April 18, 2013 at South Huron Recreation Centre in Exeter. To purchase a ticket, or to donate to the charity gala, phone 519-235-2610 or 1-888-286-2610 or visit www.conservationdinner.com. Tickets are $60 each and patrons receive a charitable gift receipt for income tax purposes for $30 of that amount. The volunteer committee welcomes donations of financial support, art, sports and entertainment, memorabilia, crafts and furniture, travel packages, jewelry, and other items.
For more information visit:
http://www.abca.on.ca/newsfull.php?NewsID=345
 

Spring Water Awareness Program SWAP

Ausable Bayfield Conservation educates school children about dangers of cold, high, fast-flowing water - especially in late winter and early spring

Spring Water Awareness Program (SWAP) conveys important safety messages: The Spring Water Awareness Program is offered during the time of year when the waterways have the highest level of risk to children playing around them. “Snow and ice melts in rivers, lakes, ponds and streams in winter,” said Conservation Technician Denise Iszczuk. “The water is cold and the banks are slippery. Children learn, through the activities of the SWAP program, why they have to avoid waterways during a season of thin ice and high, fast-flowing water.”
For more information visit:
http://abca.on.ca/newsfull.php?NewsID=341
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