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Clinton News-Record, 1983-04-20, Page 44Valleys and People Paye 5 Naftalis Creek ati Araa 1' Nal tel s Greek Conservation Area represents an extremely diverse and integrated woodlot Lit distinct importance to the Malt land Valley Conservation Author ity The property's extensive variety of vegetation can ac- commodate both forest and wild life management, while the class one trout stream and existing trails contribute to the area's popularity tor recreation and its potential for outdoor education U'QL ISI I'lO\ Natters ('reek Conservation Area was acquired by the Matt land Valley ( 'onservat ion Author- ity in two stages, during 1981 and 1982 The 49 hectares which stake up the total area are located on the east side ot Highway 21, six kilometers south of the 'Town 01 (;cxier'ich HISTORY OF' THE l'ItOI'F.ItTI The history of the property began to evolve through the land- owners, who. as early as the 1930s, realized that the sandy knolls and poor soil fertility made the property Netter suited for forest management practices than agricultural uses. Due to the fact that the reforestation took place over many decades, under the direction of several property owners, the property has taken on a patchwork quality which adds greatly to the area's char- acter and ct, rm. The property was officially named Naftel's Creek Conserva- tion Area in February of this year. This name was decided upon for two reasons; the refer- ence to Naftel's Creek as found in Belden's Historical Atlas of Huron County 1879, and, the existing association by the gen- eral public to the name Naftel's Creek. 'MASTER PLANNING': WHAT'S INVOLVED `AH conservation area pro- perties must now undergo a planning process that is known as master planni . The purpose of developi _ a master plan for each specific property is to establish the goals and objectives for an area, and to outline the long term conceptual development and management plans fur each particular property The master- plan for Natters ('reek has been underway now fur severai months The preliminary goals and objectives for the area are outlined on the next page The most important ,aspect of these goals and objectives to note is, that the overall intentions of the Authority. in regard to this property , are ones which will retain the existing character and usage ut the site There will how ever. be a shift in the emphasis from a passive to a more active level of resource management Alter the goals and objectives tor an area have been established ui their initial forst. the next step til the master plan process is to conduct an inventory of the re sources and facilities which presently exist on the site For Natters ('reek Conservation Area an extensive vegetation inventory was carried out in Sep- tember and October of 1982. The results of this study will now be used to direct the forest man- agement. erosion control, recrea- tional, and educational programs for the property. Other resource inventory characteristics which were studied include: existing site characteristics, climate, physiography ( land forms ), soils, topography ( land elevation) , hydrology ( water characteristics - flow, amount, temperature, etc.) and wildlife. Once the inventory is com- pleted, the analysis of this material begins. It should be noted at this point, that while the lr..t,i. ,ceps Ill a !haslet plan Wray be expressed by a step by step procedure. the process itself is actually a cyclical one This is especially true in terms of the goals and objectives for an area Therefore. throughout the planning process. it is necessary to return to this \initial step, in order to re evaluate the iriten tions and accw-acy ot the original stat en lents The analysts itself essentially involves studying the material in order to determine the capabili- ties and limitations present at the site This step includes the Wrapping of sensitive areas and hazard lands w hich should be protected burn any future development 60.111.S AND I)1iJFa"1'1I F:S The goals and objectives of the property locus on tour manage- ment issues We will take a closer look at these issues now FOREST :MANAGEMENT At the master plan level, the forest management objective of the property will be discussed at a general level in order to deter- mine what areas will he man- aged, what they will be managed for: and the cost involved in this work. Following the approval of the Master Plan by Authority mem- bers and the Ministry of Natural Resources, a comprehensive forest management plan will be described at the site plan level. This process will involve taking such factors as; timber demands and production; accessibility; wildlife habitat; types of '`to undertake resource management pr dices • d to provide oppor- tunities for outdoor recreation an limited forms of recreation which are compatible with the resource management programs of the area" t11, ll.a geillellt hilt -bit.), Lief 110(1 stratwn and future recreational use into consideration This in formation will there be analyzed in regards to the physical re straints as determined by vegetation. soil type, topography and the age of each specific vegetation zone F:Rosie)\ l'O\'thiel. The stream bank erosion control component. which will be recommended at the Master Plan level will designate those areas of the Nal tel s ('reek. which need to be protected or unproved upon in order to maintain Naftel's ('reek watt.!' quality and quantity and the fish habitat at a class one level RE( RF:.1"1'll►.\ 'l'he recreational emphasis fur the property will remain very much as it exists today , that being; an extensive form of recre- ation 'i'he primary recreational facility til the property will remain the extensive trail system. which can he used throughout the year. At the Master Plan level, a conceptual diagram will be used to designate the proposed trail system which will, for the most part, use the existing trail system. Some alternatives may prove necessary on the trails where existing ones may not be able to withstand an increase in use. These alterations are also seen as necessary in order to direct people from the trails which now fall on private property. This winter (1982-83), trail signage was erected on a tempor- ary basis. It is hoped that by next winter, a permanent trail mark- ing system will be established. The intent of this marking, is to ensure that any newcomer to the property will be able to easily orient themselves and enjoy the property. F:d)l t ITIO\ l'he extremely diverse vegeta thin at Nat tel s ('reek ('onserva Lion Area provides the oppur [unity for linntless opportunities in the field of outdoor conserva nun education With fifty differ- ent tree species. over one hun dred varieties of wildflowers. and [welve different vegetation tones. the chance for vegetation identification studies and ap precnation is one that is ever present on a visit to the property Through the Lands for Learn- ing Manual. a school program could easily be evolved to include studies on reforestation. natural 00(llut succession, wetlands. culdwater fish stream. meadow land succession and again. vegetat1on identification The ex- tensive trail network which exists on the property marks the various woodlots and reforested plantations easily accessible to groups for outdoor education studies Bus parking is also provided for, off of highway 21 Presently, discussions are under- way with the schools in the area to determine the ultimate role the Conservation Area could have in terms of provisions for outdoor conservation education. In addition to providing an educational experience for school age children, the management practices which will be under- taken on the property, will also allow the Authority to provide demonstration sites on specific work which is being undertaken. This conservation education program will not only help to explain the purpose behind the work being done at Naftel's Creek Conservation Area, but also that of similar projects throughout the Maitland Valley watershed that are not as fre- quently visited by the general public. Continued on page 6 THESE L ANDS ARE BEING PLANNED TO PRESERVE OUR NATURAL RESOURCES AND TO PROVIDE PU2:LIC OPEN SPACE FO " INFORMATION CONTACT THE MAI TL AND VALLEY COA'BSERVAT ION AU TF9O9iJY OX 5 WROXE TER PH. 335 -3557 PROPERTY UNDER DEVELOPMENT A green and white sign at the entrance to Naltel"s Creek Conservation Area identities the property cis being under development by the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority 40, GOALS AND Oil JECTIVES LAN IMPLEMENTATION INVENTORY 1 MASTERPLAN PROCESS CONCEPT SELECTION NATURAL POND—Scene along the nature trail at Naftel's Creek Conservation Area. DEVELOPMENT BEGINS The first stage of development of Naftel's Creek C.A. included a new parking lot. allatatiakt