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The Goderich Signal-Star, 1987-11-25, Page 25yogrcoMserva�79M New Maitland Valley Conservation Authority Published annually by the M.V.C.A. FALL 1987 Working for you in Conservation Special Awards for Conservation Presented A WARD OF DISTINCTION—MVCA Chairman Bruce McCall (right) presents Nor- man Alexander, of Londesborc, with the Authority's Award of Distinction. How informed are you? It's Your Valley! If someone visiting Ontario from an- other province or country was to ask you "What is a conservation authority?" Would you be able to tell them? Could you explain why conservation authorities were formed or what work the local Authority has done in your corilmunity? Most, if not all of us have heard the term conservation authority. For those of you who couldn't answer all your visitors' questions, help is on the way. Valleys and People is your conservation newspaper, published annually by the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority to :, r..E=6:34, , 7,:.: =, w^ttAr }J.ay Signal Supplement to Goderiode ch Star, Luchnow Sentinel, Clinton News Record. Seaforth Huron Expositor, Brussels Blyth Citizen, Listowel Banner, Wingham Advance -Times, Milver- ton Sun, Harriston Review, Palmerston Observer; Wednesday, November 25, 1987 keep you up-to-date on the current pro- grams, projects and concerns of your Con- servation Authority. Hopefully this paper will make you more aware of the role of the Maitland Valle Conservation Authority: to manage the renewable re- sources of the Maitland Valley. People also play a key role in managing natural resources. People like you. We en- courage you to take a few minutes to read through the pages that follow. Get to know the Maitland Valley and what the MVCA is doing for you. Remember, It's Your Valley! Norman Alexander, of Londesboro, has become the first person ever to be formal- ly recognized by the Maitland Valley Con- servation Authority for work in conserving soil and water resources. Mr. Alexander, a prominent conserva- tionist, was presented with the MVCA's Conservation Award of Distinction at the Authority's summer general meeting in August. In addition to the award of distinction five conservation award certificates were also presented to recognize the conserva- tion efforts of other groups and in- dividuals. With the presentation of these awards the MVCA has begun a program of formal- ly recognizing the contributions made by individuals and groups to the conservation and management of natural resources in the Maitland Valley. In presenting the award of distinction to Mr. Alexander, MVCA Chairman Bruce McCall of Brussels noted, "At age 76 Norman Alexander displays an en- thusiasm and vital interest in the world that few of us ever achieve." Mr. Alexander began his work in pro- moting soil and water conservation prac- tices in the early 1970's after retiring from farming and operating a seed business. In 1974 he became the drainage superin- tendent for Hullett Township; a job he ad- mits that he did not really want. In the first spring on the job he got a new insight into the soil erosion problems that farmers were facing. He began educating himself on the proper, methods of constructing ditches and drains. A trip to Maryland taught him the importance of seeding ditchbanks and about managing water to reduce its speed and erosion power. Mr. Alexander became a spokesperson active- ly promoting conservation practices in the community. In 1978, using his own funds, he con- : tructed an elaborate, model to demon- strate these conservation practices. Since first displaying the model at the Interna- tional Plowing Match in Wingham, he has travelled throughout Ontario to display the model. Through the, model, and his continued work as drainage superintendent, a mem- ber of the MVCA and numerous other local and national conservation groups, Mr. Alexander has brought the message of soil and water conservation to thousands of people in Ontario and beyond. "His work will have a long lasting , im- pact on the condition of our soil and water resources," said Chairman McCall. The award of distinction will be present- ed annually to those who show an out- standing, and lasting commitment to con- servation in the Maitland Valley. Conservation award certificates will also be presented a°inually to encourage those making a praiseworthy contribution to conservation. The first to receive these awards were Murray Scott, a Belgrave area farmer who has undertaken a number of conservation projects including participating in the Bel - grave Creek Improvement Project. He has also taken advantage of the Authority's tree planting program on an ongoing basis to plant windbreaks and reforest unpro- ductive farm land. The Huron -Perth Separate School Board was recognized for its support of the MVCA's conservation education program. A portable classroom was donated, to the Wawanosh Nature Centre several years ago. Wayne Stewart and Bill Farnell, both public school teachers, were also recog- nized for their support of conservation education and the Wawanosh Nature Centre. The firm of Maitland Engineering of Wingham received a certificate for the strong conservation ethic maintained in their work. As well, this company donated engineering services for the construction of the improvements at the Wawanosh Nature Centre. (continued on page 3) INSIDE Listowel Conduit ........ Page 2 Planning next year's Vacation? Check into Falls Reserve C.A The M.V.C.A. - Do you know your Conservation Authority? Page 4 Agriculture: Does it affect water quality? Page 6 Your guide to agricultural assistance grants ........ Page 7 Two -Way Communication: Do you`know your M.V.C.A. • Member? Page 8 Y,:r:e