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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2012-07-12, Page 11THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2012. PAGE 11. The Auburn Horticultural Society facilitated a Rural Land Stewardship Project in September of 2011 and were the recipients of a RBC Blue Water Project grant awarded on June 8, 2012 on RBC Blue Water Day. Auburn is located beside the Maitland River, which is habitat for several species at risk and is important to Huron County’s tourism industry. Auburn has a long history of community activism through volunteer groups in the village with the Auburn Lions Club, Women’s Institute, the Playground Committee and the Auburn Horticultural Society (chartered in 1950). Auburn has a unique municipal structure as the village consists of three municipalities – North Huron, Central Huron and Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh. The Auburn Horticultural Society is a member of the Ontario Horticultural Association – a volunteer charitable organization whose mission is to provide leadership and assist in promotion of education and interest in all areas of horticulture and related environmental issues in Ontario, through an expanding network of horticultural societies dedicated to the beautification of their communities. The Stewardship Project provided education to residents in a village setting on environmental issues, providing information and resources to improve awareness of environmentally sustainable practices, creating community pride in a clean environment, promotion protection of sustainable resources, planting native species and creating a culture of water stewardship. The group’s goal was to have 20 households participate in the pilot project, through promotion in the media, posters and word of mouth. This represents about 25 per cent of the village. Participants who also had rural farmland completed the additional pages in the Rural Land Stewardship workbook. In order to be successful, participants partnered with local environmental agencies for funding and technical support. They presented their project to Huron County Water Protection Steering Committee as well as the Source Protection Committee for Ausable Bayfield Maitland Valley (Drinking Water Source Protection) and received strong support. The pilot project consisted of a workshop divided into two-to-three- hour sessions. Day one of the workshop, led by Horticultural Society members and Maitland Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA) staff, participants reviewed the Rural Landowner Stewardship Guide, provided by Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA). Participants were guided through a review of their wells, fuel storage, Source Water Protection, water testing, and septic systems. Landscaping using native plants and trees, instead of invasive species and the use of rain barrels were encouraged. Participants returned home to complete their review of the environmental practices, risks and challenges on their properties. On day 2 of the workshop, support was provided to complete the workbook and answer questions. Action plans were developed by each participant to improve the environmental practices on their properties. If applicable, applications for Huron Clean Water Fund and Source Water Protection grants were completed, with assistance from Doug Hocking (MVCA). Each participant received a sign to promote environmental protection, and these signs are visible on 20 properties throughout the village and community. Also available were native trees, recognizing the value of trees needing to be replaced, as well as use of native species. Native shrubs for each participant were also available, given that not all properties in a village can support a tree, but native flowers can replace grass. Each participant had the option to purchase a rain barrel from our local Auburn Bay Co-operative at a greatly reduced rate to better manage storm water and reduce the use of groundwater for watering. At the end of the project, participants were successful in meeting their co-op performance measures for the pilot program. They had 20 Action Plans developed, total of 33 trees were planted, 20 native shrubs (Cersis Canadensis – Redbud), 10 rain barrels were purchased with co- payment by participants, nine inquiries related to Source Water Protection funding and requests for information, 3 participants with rural farmland expressed interest in creating wetlands or re-foresting marginal land. Water sampling bottles were handed out from Huron County Health Unit. The Action Plans identified such measures as • Eavestroughing to manage storm water on the lot better (direct away from weeping bed or storm sewer) • Water testing (bacteria and metals, fuels) • Improved composting techniques • Maintenance and pumping of septic tanks • Insulating homes for energy efficiency • Improved recycling at home • Managing Hazardous Waste better (eg - most did not realize that small batteries can go to Holmesville Landfill site) • Drainage issues (eg - ponding water near septics, ‘mystery’ drainage issues). Many participants commented on how much they had learned as they developed their action plans. Some confirmed that they were doing a good job, but also identified areas that they needed to improve. The workshop was deemed to be atremendous success by the localagencies worked with. TheSoutheast Shore of Lake Huron Committee (a partnership of Ministry of the Environment, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Bruce, Huron and Lambton Counties, and local Conservation Authorities) promoted the project in their Healthy Lake Huron newsletter. The project is also featured in the Sustainable Huron project by the County of Huron Planning Department. The Auburn Horticultural Society have been asked to work with other villages to facilitate the workshop, and are in preparation to host a workshop in the village of Dungannon. In summary, the signs are quite visible and make a clear statement about pride in the community. This was a pilot project for village stewardship, and has provided incredible value for the money, with just the environmental education alone. None of this would have been possible without the support of RBC Blue Water Project grant, and the Huron Clean Water Program grant, and the hard work and determination of the Auburn Horticultural Society, and the residents of the Village of Auburn. It was a very worthwhile project which continues to support the goal of creating a culture of water stewardship, so that people have fresh water today, and tomorrow, protecting the environment and water supplies. The group thanks the RBC Blue Water Project grant and Huron Clean Water Program for supporting them in this very worthwhile project. Knitting store tied up Working with water The Auburn Horticultural Society was awarded a $1,500 grant from the RBC Blue Water Project on Friday to spend on source water protection. The grant was awarded through the Land Stewardship Sustainable Healthy Futures Source Water Protection program in association with RBC and the Huron Clean Water Project. Members of the society applied for the grant last fall. From left: Land stewardship participant Dave Clark, RBC Senior Accounts Manager and Auburn Horticultural Society member Cathy Fisher, Marjorie Wise, Goderich RBC Branch Manager, Society President Karen Redmond, Society member Jacqui LaPorte, Society member and land stewardship participant Cathy Carter, Emily Andrews and Society member Shirley Andrews. . (Shawn Loughlin photo) Councillor Brock Vodden was hoping that North Huron Council could, on behalf of a would-be local business person, grease the wheels on the renovation project holding up the opening of the new store. “I’m concerned about the halting of work at the building just north of Blyth Memorial Hall,” he said. “I know this isn’t strictly in [Chief Building Official Dave Black’s] area, but the work has been stopped due to an electrical problem.” Vodden said that there was a kind of stalemate in the situation that, because of problems with an electrical inspection, other work couldn’t be completed until an electrician could be found and fix the issues. The original electrical contractor apparently left the job site and has not been seen since according to Vodden. “The tenant is frustrated and was promised that, in April, she could open,” he said. “It’s really unfortunate that, with the theatre starting, this all fell through. It would be nice to have the business running and looking good next to the hall.” Black explained that the problem fell under an Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) mandate and the situation is likely identical to what someone would be facing if he had to close a job site. “It’s the owner’s responsibility to fix the issues,” he said. “I know it’s a tough position, but this is an issue between the owner and the ESA and, beyond the fact I’ve discussed this with the owner, I’m not involved. “My hands are tied as to what I can do and I think council’s hands are tied as well,” he said. Vodden said that he hoped that there was some way they could help, but understood that it was out of their hands. Horticultural Society honoured with grant Share Your School Memories The Citizen With the closures of Blyth Public School, Brussels Public School and East Wawanosh Public School, The Citizen invites you to send in your special school memories to share with our readers. Throughout the coming weeks we will feature your stories and memories from years past. Send your stories to.... P.O. Box 152 541 Turnberry St., Brussels 519-887-9114 P.O. Box 429 413 Queen St., Blyth 519-523-4792 Email: info@northhuron.on.ca Fax: 519-523-9140 NEWS FROM AUBURN By Denny Scott The Citizen