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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance-Times, 1983-04-20, Page 27teLs Creek reek Conservation ents an extremely ntegrated woodlot of rtance to the Mait- onservation Author- erty's extensive vegetation can ac- th- forest and wild- ent, while the class ream and existing bute to the area's r recreation and its outdoor education. UISITION reek Conservation quired by the Mait- onservation Author- ges, during 1981 and ectares which make area are located on of Highway 21, six uth of the Town of TORY OF ROPERTY y of the property ve through the land - as early as the d that the sandy r soil fertility made better suited for gement practices ral uses. Due to the reforestation took ny decades, under of several property roperty has taken ork quality which to the area's char- m. ty was officially 's Creek Conserva- February of this me was decided reasons; the refer - 's Creek as found in storical Atlas of ty 1879, and, the iation by the gen- the name Naftel's PLANNING'; S INVOLVED vation area pro - now undergo a s that is known as ng. e of developing a for each specific establish the goals for an area, and to g 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 rvation r basic steps in a master plan may be expressed by a step by step procedure, the process itself is actually a cyclical one. This is especially true in terms of the goals and objectives for an area. Therefore, throughout the planning process, it is necessary to return to this initial step, in order to re-evaluate the inten- tions and accuracy of the original statements. The analysis itself essentially involves studying the material in order to determine the capabili- ties and limitations present at the site. This step includes the mapping of sensitive areas and hazard lands which should be protected from any future development. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES The goals and objectives of the property focus on four manage- ment issues. We will take a closer look at these issues now. FOREST MANAGEMENT At the master plan level, the forest management objective of the property will be discussed at a general level in order to deter- mine what areas will be man- aged; what they will be managed for.; and the cost involved in this work. Following the approval of the Master Plan by Authority mem- bersand the Ministry of Natural Resources, a comprehensive forest management plan will be described at the site plan level. This process will involve taking such factors as; timber'demands and production; accessibility; wildlife habitat; types of ''to undertake resource management practices and to provide oppor- tunities for outdoor recreation and limited forms of recreation which are compatible with the resource management programs of the area." ND—Scene along the nature trail at Naftel's Creek Conservation Area. Lac nj management; forestry demon- stration and future recreational use into consideration. This in- formation will then be analyzed in regards to the physical re- straints as determined by vegetation, soil type, topography and the age of each specific vegetation zone. EROSION CONTROL The stream bank erosion control component, which will be recommended at the Master Plan level, will designate those areas of the Naftel's Creek, which need to be protected or improved upon in order to maintain Naftel's Creek water quality and quantity and the fish habitat at a class one level. RECREATION The recreational emphasis for the property will remain very much as it exists today; that being an extensive form of recre- ation. The primary recreational facility of the property will remain the extensive trail system, which can be used throughout the year. At the Master Plan level, a conceptual diagram will be used to designate the proposed trail system which will, for the most part, use the existing trail system. Some alternatives may prove necessary on the trails where existing ones may not be able to withstand an increase in use. These alterations are also seen as necessary in order to direct people from the trails which now fall on private property. This winter ( 1982-83), trail signage was erected on a tempor- ary basis. It is hoped that by next winter, a permanent trail mark- ing system will be established. The intent of this marking, is to ensure that any newcomer to the property will be able to easily orient themselves and enjoy the property. Y EDUCATION The extremely diverse vegeta- tion at Naftel's Creek Conserva- tion Area provides the oppor- tunity for limitless opportunities in the field of outdoor conserva- tion education. With fifty differ- ent tree species, over one hun- dred varieties of wildflowers, and twelve different vegetation zones, the chance for vegetation identification studies and ap- preciation is one that is ever present on a visit to the property. Through the Lands for Learn- ing Manual, a school program could easily be evolved to include studies on: reforestation, natural woodlot succession, wetlands, coldwater fish stream, meadow land succession and again, vegetation identification. The ex- tensive trail network which exists on the property marks the various woodlots and reforested plantations easily accessible to groups for outdoor education studies. Bus parking is also provided for, off of Highway 21. Presently, discussions are under- way with the schools in the area to determine the ultimate role the Conservation Area could have in terms of provisions for outdoor conservation education. In addition to providing an educational experience for school age children, the management practices which will be under- taken on the property, will also allow the Authority to provide demonstration sites on specific work which is being undertaken. This conservation education program will not 'only help to explain the purpose; behind the work being done at Naftel's Creek Conservation Area, but also that of similar projects throughout the Maitland Valley watershed that are not as fre- quently visited by the general public. Continued on page 6 Valleys and People—Page 5 • • is E. ri , I • THESE L .. NDS ARE SING PLANNED TO PRESERVE OUR NATURAL RESOURCES AND TO PROVIE PUBLIC PEN SPACE F °,• R INFORMATION CONTACT THE MAITL AND VALLEY CONSERVATION AUTHORITY BOX 5 WROXETER PH 335 -3557 • I• PROPERTY UNDER DEVELOPMENT—A green and white sign at the entrance to Naftel's Creek Conservation Area identifies the property as being under development by the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES PLAN IMPL EMENTATIO r) INVENTORY MASTERPLAN PROCESS CONCEPT SELECTION ANALYSIS ALTERNATIVES aCri DEVELOPMENT BEGINS—The first stage of development of Naftel's Creek C.A. included a new parking lot. 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