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Exeter Times -Advocate
Wednesday, October 4, 2006
Grand Bend students help launch ABCA program
By Nina Van Lieshout
TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF
GRAND BEND — Grade 4,5 and 6 stu-
dents at Grand Bend Public School were
given the opportunity Sept. 27 to help
launch an Ausable Bayfield
Conservation (ABCA) educational pro-
gram.
"We will be kicking off a new better
beach program," says ABCA education
specialist Julie Hicks.
The program is designed to educate
students and their families on different
beach issues.
In a recent ABCA news release general
manager Tom Prout says, "There is a lot
of confusion , concern and anxiety about
beach postings and knowing when it is
safe to go to the beach.
"There is plenty of research about
beach water quality and there is a need
to transfer knowledge to students and
families," Prout adds.
The Better Beach Knowledge — Water
Quality in the Classroom taught the stu-
dents about beach water quality and
beach postings, water pollutants like
E.coli and ways to prevent water conta-
mination.
"Water quality is one of society's top
concerns and it is the number one issue
identified by the ABCA Conservation
Strategy," says Prout.
"Good water quality is essential to
everyday life. It is important that chil-
dren learn what makes or keeps water
clean and useable for swimming and
other educational activities," Prout adds.
Students were given handouts includ-
ing a beach water quality overview from
the Lambton County Health Unit and a
Safe Day At The Beach from the Huron
County Beach Water Quality.
A main focus of the program teaches
the students why some beaches are
"posted."
The IIuron County Beach Water
Quality report states "Beaches are post-
ed with warning signs because the
water may contain high levels of bacte-
ria. These can increase a swimmer's
risk of developing irritations and infec-
tions."
Students also learned from the
Lambton County Health Unit new signs
to look for when going to the beach.
These included a yellow and black
"Caution," which does not indicate the
beach is posted but warns swimmers to
be extra cautious of water conditions
which can change hourly depending on
wind, rainfall and wildlife.
A red and black "Warning" sign is also
important which "notifies swimmers
that the water is unsafe for swimming
due to high levels of E.coli bacteria that
may pose a risk to human health."
A cleanup was also scheduled of the
beach shoreline but due to unpre-
dictable weather, students cleaned up
the Main Street of Grand Bend.
The students involved in the cleanup
were excited to help out despite the
rainy circumstances.
The program, made possible through a
partnership with The Rotary Club of
Grand Bend, TD Friends of the
Environment Foundation, the Ausable
Bayfield Conservation Foundation, the
Grand Bend Community Foundation and
the Municipality of Lambton Shores is
hoping to educate around 1,000 local
elementary school children during the
school year who are along the lakeshore
in the Ausable Bayfield watersheds.
Teachers interested in participating in
the Better Beach Knowledge — Water
Quality in the Classroom program can
contact Hicks at 235-2610 or 1-888-
286-2610.
There is no cost to teachers or stu-
dents to take part in the program but
anyone wanting to donate to the cost of
developing and implementing the pro-
gram can contact the ABCA.
Grand Bend cleanup — Students at Grand Bend Public School helped launch a
Better Beach Knowledge Program Sept. 27, designed by the Ausable Bayfield
Conservation Authority.Above from left Grade 6 students Chandler Heathcote,
Josh Hotson, Ben Bruce and Joseph Roberts clean up the Main Street of Grand
Bend with ABCA education specialist Julie Hicks. (photo/Nina Van Lieshout)
Lucan open house showcases new fire truck
Fire truck open house — Lucan Biddulph firefighters hosted an open house Friday showcasing its new fire truck.The 2006 Rosenbower Pumper received Sept. 8
sits six firefighters comfortably and has heated and air-conditioned seating.The Lucan Biddulph firefighters are Chief John Riddell, Deputy Chief Bill Damen, Captain
Brain Ankers, Barry Hodgins, Bev Hirtzel, Brian Froats, Bruce Cornish, Dale Baker, Dave Smith, Jeff Campbell, Kyle Lawrence, Mike Herbert, Mike Loyens, Paul Lankin,
Ron deBrouwer, Scott Anderson, Sean Lawrence,ToddVance, Dan Campbell, Kevin Hutchinson, Rod Johnston, Chris Yule, Ken Latta,Tim Shipley, Ryan Herbert and Bill
Moir. (photo/Nina Van Lieshout)