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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2004-08-18, Page 9Wednesday, August 18, 2004 Exeter Times—Advocate 9 ABCA summer students speak out for conservation By Jennifer Baker SPECIAL TO THE TIMES - ADVOCATE AUSABLE BAYFIELD — This summer, the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) has hired three summer stu- dents for various positions. The students gain experi- ence, as well as provide valuable assistance to the conservation authority. Rebecca Bach is current- ly a student of Environmental Engineering at the University of Guelph. This summer, she has been working with the ABCA as their Watershed Hydrology Technician, where her main duty is to test the low water response data. Electronic gauges are checked throughout the streams and rivers of the watershed and Bach com- pares these statistics with historical records in order to determine the condition of the watershed in com- parison to relative dry years. She has also been work- ing on building a precipi- tation network, collecting historical data from the many gauges around the watershed. She is looking into the use of hydrology computer models which compare and analyze his- torical studies along with climate and watershed characteristics. It is Bach's first summer with the ABCA. She has also worked with the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority. Bach says the most valu- able lesson she has learned with the conserva- tion authority is that edu- cation is an important fac- tor in the creation of change within the water- shed community. "There is always some- thing new to learn here," states Bach, adding a career in conservation has definitely occurred to her. Dan Mosurinjohn is spending his summer as the ABCA's Watershed Planning Technician. So far, he has been involved with several programs, such as Species at Risk, the Southern Ontario Land and Resource Inventory, Nairn Creek obstruction removal, the Nairn Creek drain study, the Ausable River drain proposal, the Lake Huron Shoreline Management Plan, Generic Regulations, and the Stirling Bridge project. When asked what he enjoys most about his job, Mosurinjohn states, "I most thoroughly enjoy working in the field. It is nice to be out and about interacting with people as well as the environment." Mosurinjohn hasn't decided if a career in con- servation is right for him but believes conservation is important. "We need to balance our progress with the needs of our environment. Consideration of the cur- rent and potential state of the environment is crucial for the ability of future generations to endure. It is our responsibility to main- tain a healthy level of progress through conser- vation without compro- mising our future," he declares. Chris Van Esbroeck is the ABCA Junior Conservationist for the summer He is currently in his second year at the University of Waterloo for Environment and Resource Studies and works with various con- servation authority departments, including education and field ser- vices staff. His main duties with the ABCA are helping to pre- pare and run education day programs, and main- tenance at various conser- vation areas within the watershed. He spends the rest of his time learning about other jobs and fields of study within the water- shed. Van Esbroeck began his job as a tree planter in April and applied for the Junior Conservationist position in order to gain From the left, Dan Mosurinjohn, Rebecca Bach and Chris Van Esbroeck are sum- mer students gaining experience in environmental work at the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority. (photo/submitted) more experience in the field. Among the most important lessons he has learned over the summer is, "Bug spray is a must!" Van Esbroeck has been involved with the South Huron Trail Project, day programs with children, fish surveys and ground- water monitoring pro- grams. He says he would like to pursue a career in conser- vation, but is unsure of which field in particular he would like to study. Mosurinjohn and Bach became involved with the ABCA through the govern- ment funded Summer Experience Program. Van Esbroeck's position is sponsored by the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation who provides funds for a student to dis- cover more about a career in conservation. "The ABCA has worked with hundreds of young people over the years, offering valuable experi- ence when making career choices," says Judith Parker, ABCA Corporate Services Co-ordinator. All three students main- tain conservation is an important aspect of the Ausable Bayfield commu- nity, and education and awareness can really make a positive impact on our environment. Jennifer Baker of Exeter is a student at the University of Western Ontario taking Specialized Media, Information and Technoculture. Community Living golf tourney The annual Community Living - South Huron golf tournament at the Oakwood Inn Golf Club in May was another success this year, raising $15,000 for Community Living. From left with the donation are Community Living - South Huron vice-president Rick Hundey, president Judy Burke-Mallette, tournament chairperson Roger Wallis and tournament treasurer Jim Beckett. (photo/Scott Nixon) `Closest to the Pin' competition Between Aug. 14 and 27 The Lung Association will be conducting its 2nd Annual `Closest to the Pin' competition at five area golf courses. This contest allows golfers the opportunity to compete during their own recreational rounds of golf at Forest City National Golf Course Aug. 14; Thames Valley Golf Course Aug. 17; Dorchester on Thames Golf Club Aug. 19; Westminster Trails Golf Course Aug. 25 and Maple Ridge Golf Course Aug. 27. The competi- tion runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day. A winner is declared at each golf course and he or she receives a ballot to enter a random draw for one of 10 trips for two, anywhere Air Canada flies in North America, including Hawaii. Golfers pay $5 to enter the competition and The Lung Association retains all entry fees. While the winners at each of the golf courses will be eligi- ble to win one of the grand prizes through Air Canada, local prizes will be awarded, via a ran- dom draw, to participat- ing golfers. For more information about the `Closest to the Pin' com- petition, contact The Lung Association at 519- 453-9086. Huron County Community Home Child Care provides quality child care in a regulated home environment. Spaces are available for September. Approved homes are in: Wingham, Clinton, Seaforth, Goderich and Exeter. Daily programming, menus and limited group sizes. For children age 0-12 years. Days, evenings and weekends. Call to register 482-8505 Fee assistance available. Corporation of the COUNTY OF HURON Jacob Memorial Building 77722D London Road, RR5 Clinton, ON NOM 1L0 Summers Here DRESS UP YOUR WINDOWS IN STYLE. HmiterDouglas window fashions C_ !_ L'. TT LOUVERS ©UETfE* HONEYCOMB SHADES LUMINETTE" PRIVACY SHEERS SILHOU'. e WINDOW SHADINGS carne S 467 Main Street, Exeter 235-0173 J BUY 7. PAY FOR 6. Dress up the windows in your house with this special off& 7 of the same window fashion... and only pay for 61. You can choose from Alouette'", *Duette, Lunrinette, *Silhouette', Vignette`s or Trio', Offer valid from May 1 to August 31, 2004. 'Offer not valid on Nantucket"' or Applause'. 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