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The Citizen, 2004-11-18, Page 10Last weekend, Bob invited his friends over to help lacquer his floors. It was a blast. The vapours from flammable solvents can easily ignite if they come into contact with sparks or open flame. They should only be used in well ventilated area-, that are free from all ignition sources — including .Pilot Maitland Watershed Partnerships Natural Environment Areas - Ours to Protect! Environmental issues are a subject of concern for many Huron County residents. The conservation and enhancement of our natural environment must be a top priority if the health of our environment is to improve. The Maitland Watershed Partnerships (MWP) is a group of organizations and businesses working to find ways to effectively deal with water, soil and natural areas issues. MWP participants strongly believe it is important to conserve natural areas to ensure the health of the environment for future generations. What are Natural Environment Areas? Natural environment areas are the wetlands, forests, river valleys and watercourses throughout the landscape. The natural environment plays a crucial role in our lives from helping to modify climate, providing wildlife habitat, purifying our air, soil, and water, and offering a variety of recreational opportunities. Natural environment areas also help to sustain the economy through tourism, fishing, hunting, and forestry. The Health of Natural Areas Since settlement of this area began, many of our forests and wetlands have been lost. Of those remaining, many are degraded and fragmented to the point that they no longer function to their full potential. Habitat for wildlife species is disappearing and many of our remaining woodlands are in poor condition. Global climate change and the droughts experienced over the last few years have served to highlight the importance of ietaining natural areas in order to reap the benefits they provide. Land Use Planning One component of the effort to conserve our natural areas is the municipal land use planning process. Land use planning is guided by the Official Plan document that contains policies specific to the natural environment and outlines permitted and restricted uses in these areas. Strong policies in the Official Plan are a key tool for environmental protection. In the Maitland watershed, several municipalities are in the process of developing new Official Plans. Landowners have an opportunity to comment on these plans at public meetings being held over the coming months. A meeting is being held for the -new . North- Huron Official Plan on November 23, 2004at 7:30 p.m. at the Belgrave Community Centre. What Can You Do? Providing input to policy at public meetings is one way to contribute to the conservation and enhancement of our natural areas, but there are many other land stewardship initiatives that landowners can undertake. Stewardship involves respecting the natural environment and using management techniques that enhance both your land and your overall quality of life. Stewardship activities can range from using conservation tillage on farm land, to planting a hedgerow for wildlife, to creating a buffer along a stream to protect water quality. There are many organizations throughout the watershed that can assist landowners to develop a stewardship plan for their property including: forest consultants, non-profit environmental groups, government ministries, and conservation authorities. Get Involved! For information on public meetings regarding natural environment policies, watch for notices in your local newspapers or contact the Huron County Planning Department or your municipal office. For more information on the value of natural environment areas watch for our display and brochure at upcoming public meetings. You can also contact the Maitland Watershed Partnerships at 335-3557 or the MWP participants listed below. Huron Fringe Field Naturalists 482:3342 Huron Perth Chapter - Ontario Woodlot Owners Association 335-3944 Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources 482-3428 Huron Stewardship Council 482-3661 Lake Huron Centre for Coastal Conservation 523-4478 Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario 524-8097 or 335-6566 County of Huron 524-8394 Huron Business Development Centre 527-0305 or 523-4201 Maitland Valley Conservation Authority 335-3557 Huron Farm Environmental Coalition 357-2336 Ducks Unlimited 705-721-4444 PAGE 10. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2004. Cranbrook residents extend sympathy FROM CRANBROOK D. Knight leads WMS worship Freda Crawford was the hostess for the Cranbrook Missionary Society on Nov. 9 at 1:15 p.m. The leader Donna Knight opened the meeting reading A Day to Remember — Nov. I I. 0 God Our Help In Ages Past was read in unison. Mrs. Knight read War and Peace and In Flanders Fields — Lest We Forget. all the readings showed how much veterans are loved and why they should be remembered. Mis. Knight led in prayer. From Ocean Unto Ocean was read in unison. Eleanor Stevehson read articles from The Presbyterian Record telling what some clergy saw when visiting mission fields. The roll call was answered by reading articles on remembrance. The Presbyterial visitor, Janet Gibson from St. Marys brought greetings from the Huron-Perth Presbyterial. She also had the following short' readings: Noah's Ark, Life's Like A Patchwork Quilt, Somehow We Survived Life, Modern Proverbs and Prayer — True Love.. The meeting closed by repeating the Mizpah Benediction. Freda Crawford then served lunch. The next meeting will be held on Dec. 7 at the home of Eleanor Stevenson at noon. Sympathy is extended to the family of the late Mrs. Norman (Reta) Hoover, who passed away this week. She was a good neighbour who lived on the Newry Road, where son, Murray now lives, before she moved into Brussels. Congratulations to the Majestic Women's Institute of Brussels which celebrated its 65th anniversary on Nov. 10. Members from other Institutes in the area joined them for the occasion. Keith Stoltz was their humorous guest sneakei- Over $100 was sent to the Children's Hospital in London from the proceeds of their surprise auction. Sara Baker had an interesting time this past week helping to get cattle ready and showing them at the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto. She was assisting Clayton Salter and Marie and Greg Blake show their Galoway cattle from Suncrest Farms. Some members of the Cranbrook Presbyterian Church were in Monkton on Sunday for the Chili Cook-off, sponsored by the Presbyterian Young People. A dozen diffcrcril chiliwcrt.- :t1z;-- to try. Rev. Theresa McDonald-Lee reported she and Johnathan are busy getting the manse ready for the Monkton House Tours taking place the last weekend of Novem- ber. Area residents reported they enjoyed the Ride Away In Fashion Ladies Day Fashion Show at The Cowboy Loft. Birthday wishes to Mike Fahlenbock and Tracy Swart on Nov. 20. Anniversary greetings to Stew and Shirley Hunter on Nov. 21. Congratulations to Matthew 3" wad, son of Tracy and Mark, Matthew Terpstra, son of Chuck and Samantha, and Lexi Smith, daughter of Chris and Shelley Smith, for having their art chosen to be professionally matted and framed. It will be shown at Elizabeth's Art Gallery, 54 The Square, Goderich on Nov. 20 from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. The exhibit will remain there until Nov. 24. It is part of an exhibition of original artwork submitted by children of Huron County. The Kids' Booster Club is sponsoring the exhibit. This is a awareness raiser for the club and hasty-notes of the colourful works of art will be available for sale.