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
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