HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe 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
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