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Home My WebLink AboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1987-11-25, Page 32Valleys & People Fall 1987 -- Page 8 What is the Maitland Conservation Foundation? The Maitland Conservation Foundation is a registered charitable, non-profit organization working with the aim of furthering conservation in the Maitland River Valley. Established in 1975, the Foundation is a self-governing body, whose membership is, made .up of volun- teers. The Foundation seeks the support of in- dividuals, groups and corporations whi are interested in contributing towards spe- cial conservation projects. These projects are being developed by the Maitland Val- ley Conservation Authority for the benefit of all area residents. Projects Conservation Education The Wawanosh Nature Centre is an edu- cation and recreational facility currently under development. Several thousand school children. visit the site each year to experience nature and learn the im- portance of wise management of our natural resources. In future years much of the development of the site will depend on donations. Contributions may be applied to the development of additional facilities, increased teaching resources or nature trails. During 1987 the Foundation has been working to raise funds for the im- provement of washroom facilities at the Nature Centre. Conservation Areas Conservation Areas provide residents with places of special aesthetic value for recreation and forest and wildlife manage- ment benefits. Donations are being applied towards the development of these areas. Past projects include the donation of land for Naftel's Creek Conservation Area and the purchase of Lake Wawanosh Con- servation Area. In 1987 a 90 acre tract of land along the Maitland River in Colborne Township was donated to the Conservation Authority through the Foundation. Cultural and Historical Conservation In the future the Foundation hopes to be involved in the restoration of historical sites within the watershed. Of particular interest are two, mill sites in Gorrie and Brussels. In the past, artifacts,including period milling equipment. suitable for the mill structures, has been donated. Wetland Preservation At a time when most of the wetlands in Southern Ontario have been drained or filled, we are just beginning to understand their benefits. Wetlands contribute to water quality, provide wildlife and fish habitat and help reduce flooding. The Foundation helps the Conservation Authority preserve wetlands through the donation of land or funds to purchase pro- perty. Approximately 100 acres of the Saratoga Swamp, the largest remaining wetland in the Maitland Valley, has been donated and an additional 200 acres has been purchased in the last five years. How Can You Help? The conservation of our natural re- sources is vital to us all. Through the work of the Maitland Conservation Foundation, outdoor recreation areas, wetlands and historical resources can be preserved or developed. In addition, the Foundation will assist in educating our children in the need for conservation. The projects are made possible through the concern and dedication of watershed residents who provide a tangible means of advancing the goals of conservation by in- vesting in our natural heritage. You can assist the Maitland Conserva- tion Foundation in its work through your donations of land or money for one of the specific projects underway or yet to be de- veloped. All donations are tax exempt and are acknowledged by a tax receipt which is ac- cepted by Revenue Canada. In many in- stances contributions are matched in part by appropriate agencies or ministries of the Province of Ontario. For further information on how indi- viduals, groups and corporations may con- tribute to conservation protects in the Maitland Valley please contact the Mait- land Conservation Foundation at Box 127, Wroxeter. (Working towards ... continued from page 6) concrete pads. These systems generally make no provisions for controlling runoff. This runoff can be controlled without converting from a solid to total liquid manure system. A runoff storage collects contaminated runoff from a solid manure pack, exercise yard or feedlot. An example of a solid manure storage with runoff con- tainment was constructed as a demonstra- tion site on a medium sized dairy farm in the Maitland Manure Management study area. Runoff storages are designed to collect a minimum of one cubic foot of runoff water from each square foot of yard. This amount is required to meet the minimum 200 days storage. On the demonstration farm runoff from a 60'x70' solid manure storage as well as a 3,000 square foot exer- cise yard is transferred by gravity flow to a 50' diameter by 10' deep concrete circu- lar tank. The tank was also designed to store the, milkhouse wastes. This repre- sents an additional 3,400 cubic feet of stor- age (approximately 110 gallons waste water -day). As with all liquid storages the tank was fenced to 5' in height for safety. As an alternative, earthen storages can be constructed on farms where the soil has sufficient clay content and where suffici- ent distance separates neighboring resi- dents. All operators building or renovating a storage must seek municipal approval. 'To protect water quality, inquire about a grant for improving, manure storage to confine wastes for field application. Plan now for 1988. Valleys and People Valleys and People is an annual publication of the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority distributed to inform watershed residents about local natural resource management activities. The Maitland Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA) is a corporate body established under the Conservation Authorities Act to manage watershed resources on behalf of its 33 member municipalities and the Province of Ontario. The MVCA is a member of the Association of Conservation Authorities of Ontario. This organization represents the collective concerns of Ontario's 38 conservation authorities. Your comments or requests for further information on MVCA programs or projects are welcomed. Inquiries should be directed to the MVCA, Box 127, Wroxeter, Ont., NOG 2X0. Phone (519) 335-3557. THANKS!—Dave Gower, Chairman of the Conservation Foundation (right) presents Elmer Squires of the Canadian Tire Store in Wingham with a certificate of appreciation for a contribution towards the production of the Foundation's new brochure. Two -Way Communication The success of the Authority's programs depend on two-way communications between each municipality in the watershed and the Authority. Your municipal representative on the Authority is delegated the responsibility of understanding the resource management concerns of local residents. If you have a concern or question about the natural resources of your municipality contact your Maitland Valley Conservation Authority representative. Arthur Township Ivan Suggitt Ashfield Township Grant Farrish Blyth Village • William Manning Brussels Village Bruce McCall Clinton Town Elmer Trick Colborne Township Russel Kernighan Culross Township Don Dodds Ellice Township George Wicke Elma Township Robert Mathers Goderich Town David Gower Goderich Township Cornelius Brand Grey Township Leona Armstrong Harriston Town Milton Bridge Howick Township Norman Fairies Hullett Township Norman Alexander Huron Township Clarke Ferguson Kinloss Township George McBride Listowel Town Vince Judge Lucknow Village Russell Whitby Maryborough Township Lorne Murray McKillop Township Lorne Glanville Milverton Town Arnold Storey Minto Township Carman Kaye Mornington Township .Norman Haid Morris Township Robert Grasby Palmerston Town Catherine Keleher Seaforth Town Thomas Kale Turnberry Township Mervin Baker Wallace Township Larry Ash E. Wawanosh Township Ross Taylor W. Wawanosh Township Harold Errington Wingham Town Bruce Machan Provincial Rep Margaret Bennett Provincial Rep Thomas Cunningham Provincial Rep Jack Graul —Jr rrr7 Fr...' w C1,7,1'. 67 tar r WH AGK