The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutGoderich Signal Star, 2017-03-22, Page 17Conservationist of the Year Award Ausable Bayfield Conservation Ar Authority hosts awards evening. See page 18 for photographs from the event. Ausable Bayfield Conser- vation Authority is pleased to announce the Conservation- ist of the Year Award winners are Mels and Ruthanne van der Laan, Cold Stream Ranch. The prize includes a lim- ited -edition conservation print of the Latornell Tree, by Bonna Rouse, one of 310 made for a special edition by Conservation Ontario. Ausa- ble Bayfield Conservation will also make a donation towards a tree and plaque at a Commemorative Woods site. The Conservationist of the Year Award winners are Mels and Ruthanne van der Laan, McEwen Drive, RR 3 Den- field, Ontario, in the Munici- pality of Middlesex Centre, Middlesex County. Mels and Ruthanne are very worthy recipients of this award. They have given back to their watershed commu- nity for many years. They have planted trees, added habitat and forest cover and wetlands; hosted public tours of their Cold Stream Ranch farm and planting projects, and involved young people in tree planting on their property. In 2007, they achieved eco- logical benefits through res- toration by retiring a 3.5 -acre parcel of former pasturelands. They planted a mix of Pine, Spruce, Soft Maple, Oak, and Dogwood seedlings. Most of those trees grew well but in some of the wettest spots, where there was poor drain- age and heavy clay, some trees did not survive. Subsequently, in 2014, they constructed a wetland. Wet- lands benefit both, water quality and quantity - help- ing to filter water, restore groundwater sources of water, and store and slowly discharge water, reducing flooding and runoff. This new wetland basin is about half an acre in size and has been an oasis for native vegetation, wildlife, and waterfowl. "Ihe Ailsa Craig Girl Guides planted 300 wetland plants around the site in the spring season of 2015 and more trees were planted around the wetland. The van der Laans have been community champions of their restoration site. Mels and Ruthanne have hosted tours, invited commu- nity groups, and posted an information sign to let people know about this project. The van der Laans are stewards of their lands and speak highly of the opportu- nities with which they have been involved. We congratulate these deserving award winners and thank them for their dedication. Years of Service Awards were presented to directors and staff at the Conservation Awards event east of Exeter. Service award winners were: Six Years - George Irvin, Director Six Years - Mike Tam, Director Ten Years - Ross Wilson, Water & Stewardship Technologist Ten Years - Angela Van Niekerk, Wetlands Specialist Ten Years - Aaron Clarke, GIS Specialist Ten Years. - Abigail Gut- teridge, I lealthy Watersheds Technician Ten Years - I lope Brock, Healthy Watersheds Technician Five Years - Jeff Van Niekerk, Field Services Also announced was the Presentation of Student Envi- ronmental Award $1,000 scholarship. Via video shown at the event, Bob Radkte, Chairman, Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation, presenting the award to win- ner Samantha Bycraft of Lucan. Keynote speaker on March 16, 2017 was Jennifer Pate, BA, MSc We were honoured to have Jennifer Pate speak as part of the annual Conservation Awards evening. Jen is a geographer and filmmaker. She has a BA in Geography and an MSc in Environment, Science & Society (Distinc- tion) from the University Col- lege of London. Jen was Project and Events .Officer for the UK Energy Research Centre in the Envi- ronmental Change Institute at the University of Oxford before moving back to Canada. In November 2014 Jen sailed across the Atlantic Ocean from Lanzarote to Martinique with an all- female team called eXXpedi- tion. This scientific research voyage makes the unseen seen - from plastics and tox- ins in our bodies to those in our water. Her 40 -minute documentary: eXXpedition: Making the Unseen Seen, was premiered at the Royal Geographical Society in Lon- don (UK) in March 2015 as the finale of a wider event in celebration of women in exploration and field science. Jen has co -led eXXpedition Caribbean (conducting the first-ever sampling for micro - plastics in the Caribbean Sea). The Bayfield, Ontario native has also co -led eXXpe- dition Great Lakes (the world's largest simultaneous sampling for microplastics in history). Jen has extensive interna- tional public speaking experi- ence, appearing at seminar series, film premieres, and has delivered 'I'EDx talks about being a Glocal, inspired by her home town and its initiative with the Council of Canadians: Blue Community Bayfield. She speaks on loving our Great Lakes, with her talk Love Your Greats, with stories about how personal connection to our environment is integral for instigating action in the face of global environmental challenges. Programme Agenda: March 16, 2017 - Iron- wood Golf Club Thanks to landowners and residents and volunteers; federal and provincial gov- ernments and representa- tives; counties and munici- palities and other partners; directors and staff; and the whole watershed community. Programme: Informal social time (5 p.m.) • Light supper (about 5:30 p.m.) • Programme begins (about 6 p.m.) • Words of wercome; Acknowledgement of Rep- resentatives and Other Dignitaries and Special Guests - Brian Horner, General 41+ Taxes Property Identification & Name T. FOR 175 LABELS! Many Styles To Choose From 120 Huckins Street, Goderich PHONE: 524-2614 FAX: 524-9175 Monday -Thursday 8 am - 5 pm &, Friday 8 am - 4 pm Wednesday, March 22, 2017 Manager and Secretary - Treasurer, Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA). • Greetings from ABCA Board of Directors - George Irvin, Vice Chair- man, Ausable Bayfield Con- servation Authority Board of Directors. • Grace by Kate Monk, Manager of Stewardship, Land and Education. • Serving of light buffet dinner . • Thanks to Ironwood Golf Club and staff • Presentation of Student Environmental Award (digital video) - Bob Radkte, Chairman, Ausable Bayfield Conserva- tion Foundation (ABCF), pre- senting to Samantha Bycraft of Lucan • Conservationist of the. Year Award presentation to Mels and Ruthanne van der Laan, Cold Stream Ranch - Presentation by Rachael Scholten, Stewardship Tech- nician, and Ian Jean, Forestry and Land Stewardship Specialist - Acknowledgement of award winners by local repre- sentatives (Scrolls and certificates) • Presentation of Years of Service Awards to: - Directors - George Irvin, Six Years; Mike Tam, Six Years - Staff members - Abigail Signal Star 17 Gutteridge, Ten Years; Angela Van Niekerk, Ten Years; - Hope Brock, Ten Years; Aaron Clarke, Ten Years; Ross Wilson, Ten Years; Jeff Van Niekerk, Five Years • Acknowledgement of Staff Dress Down Day Fund donation of $850 to Jessica's House Residential Hospice Campaign - Judith Parker, Corporate Services Coordinator, Ausa- ble Bayfield Conservation • Introduction of speaker - Introduction by Roger Lewington, Director, ABCF; Chairman, Huron Tract Land Trust Conservancy • Keynote Message: Love Your Greats - Jennifer Pate, BA, MSc, Geographer, filmmaker, and co -leader, eXXpedition Car- ibbean and eXXpedition Great Lakes • Opportunity for ques- tions and answers • Thanks to speaker - Mari Veliz, Healthy Watersheds Supervisor, Ausable Bayfield Conservation • Closing remarks - Brian Horner, General Manager and Secretary - Treasurer, Ausable Bayfield Conservation Thank you for attending -- and and for your work that creates awareness and supports pos- itive action to protect water, soil, and living things. GODERiCH Canada's prettiest town REMINDER TAXES DUE REMINDER The first installment of the 2017 tax levy is DUE on: March 31st, 2017 Please present your bill when making payment. Interest of 1.25% (15% per annum) will be added to unpaid installments on April 1st, 2017. If you have recently purchased property or have not received a tax notice please contact the Town Hall, 57 West Street, Goderich, 524-8344 ext 213. Tax payments may be made in the following ways: at financial institutions in the Town of Goderich, municipal office (cheque, cash or debit) telephone/net banking, pre -authorized payments and post dated cheques. After hour payments can be dropped into the mailbox at the front of Town Hall (cheques only - no cash). Lori Rounds Deputy Treasurer/Tax Collector