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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1983-04-20, Page 20Page 4—Valleys and People Naftel's Creek Con ew BIRCH TREE TRAIL—An extensive trail when acquired by the Authority. system existed on the Naftel's Creek property 1 C.A. LOCAL CONTEXT Salt ford 1.:11 4 tii,. we Holmesville r Clinton D MN N — MVCA Watershed Boundry Naftel's Creek Conservation Area represents an extremely diverse and integrated woodlot of distinct importance to the Mait- 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 for recreation and its potential for outdoor education. ACQUISITION Naftel's Creek Conservation Area was acquired by the Mait- land Valley Conservation Author- ity in two stages, during 1981 and 1982. The 49 hectares which make up the total area are located on the east side of Highway 21, six kilometers south of the Town of Goderich. HISTORY OF THE PROPERTY' 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 better 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 charm. 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 All conservation area pro- perties must now undergo a planning process that is known as master planning. The purpose of developing 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 for each particular property. The master plan for Naftel's Creek has been underway now for several 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 of the site. There will how- ever, be a shift in the emphasis from a passive to a more active level of resource management. After the goals and objectives for an area have been established in their initial form, the next step in the master plan process is to conduct an inventory of the re- sources and facilities which presently exist on the site. For Naftel's Creek 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 "to undertake reso practices and to tunities for outd limited forms of r compatible wit management pr NATURAL POND—Scene along the nature trail at Naftel's Cre