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Home My WebLink AboutThe Times Advocate, 2006-10-25, Page 1616 TIMES—ADVOCATE Wednesday, October 25, 2006 Conservation starts with youth — 1971-1975 (Note: The following is the sixth of 12 columns in 2006 about the Ausable Bayfield watershed's conservation pioneers, during the 60th anniver- sary year recognizing the formation of Ontario's first Conservation Authority — the former Ausable River Conservation Authority, now the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority — and the creation of the Conservation Authorities Act of 1946.) EXETER — My career with the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority started in 1964 when I was still in elementary school. A look at my Grade 8 year book clearly illus- trates the impact Camp Sylvan had on me: "Most likely to be manager of the Ausable River Conservation Authority." (The Bayfield River watershed was added in 1972). My interest in the out-of-doors and conservation was activated by my first trip to Camp Sylvan. This interest was solidified in 1967 when I had the opportunity to be a participant in the Provincial Junior Conservationist Award program. From 1967 until now I have worked for conservation authorities in Ontario with most of my time at the ABCA. My conservation activities included tree planting; con- servation area maintenance; coordinating Camp Sylvan; working under the tutelage and mentorship of Ted Jones; helping Roger Martin, the resources manager from 1971-1975, with a variety of planning projects; learning about forestry research from Fred Von Athlen, of the Canadian Forestry Association (who was using the Parkhill Conservation Area for hardwood plantations); co-ordinating the Provincial SWEEP program; and undertaking conservation area users surveys at various locations across Ontario. In 1971 I had the privilege, as a leader for the Ontario Junior Conservationist Program, to co-ordinate and help author the first watershed report for the Bayfield River watershed. This was a great experience where I learned about project management and staff supervision. In the fall of 1974 I obtained my first position as a resources manager for the Napanee and Prince Edward Conservation Authorities. I credit my success to the experience I gained during my summer employment 111 TOM P ABCA GEN MANAGER ROUT ERAL (1967-1974) and the support from more experi- enced resources managers in Ontario. The survey crew and junior conserva- tionists were the brainchilds of Art Latornell. The Junior Conservationist Award Program provides young people with the opportunity to experience watershed conservation first hand. This was an exciting opportunity for me as I was a Junior Conservationist in 1967 and then, only four years later, I was a leader of such a group doing a watershed report for my favourite conservation authority. My group of Junior Conservationists included the following individuals: Garry Belanger from Georgetown; Mike Hamilton from Sudbury; David Hawke from Orillia; Thomas Hurlbut from Fergus; Douglas Mann from Virginiatown; Larry Murray from Embro; Bruce McGillivray from Ottawa; and Robin Moore from Kingston. The watershed survey emphasized present and future conservation activities based on information about wildlife, soils, water quality, land use and vegetation. The lower Bayfield gorge was the focus of the study because of its unique topography and large wooded area. With the assistance of the Ministry of the Environment a variety of inventories were completed and form part of the report. Participants also learned how to reference documents such as the "Physiography of Southern Ontario" and "Soil Capability for Agriculture" maps. These were great learning opportunities for young adults from the city. The Junior Conservationists did a great job and go down in history as producing the first report for the Bayfield River watershed. The early 1970s were a time of great change at the ABCA with the introduction of the Bayfield River water- shed in 1972 and the valuable addition of the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation in 1974. We added conservation area land during the early 1970s, moved into our third office, opened Bannockburn Wildlife Area to public use for the first time, expanded to include Lake Huron shoreline and planted tens of thousands of tree seedlings by machine and by hand. I would like to thank those who had the insight to form October student of the month RLLASEU H REPRESENTS SHRED NE HAKE PEN BS161+NHILO 41FACIEVTIES'FOR AN SHE FREEDOM' I SPOSAI SHE SHC.I' LIVES THI. C.REAS Eak1H OF OLR (IMPUTE THE C- 0 THE SHII10 R EMBLEM 0 ' f f 4 4.4 st4 4,4 '. 1044 *4444, }+4}4. }4fit}•}+ Excellent attitude — Grade 1 1 stu- dentAnneka Zehr, middle, was chosen South Huron District High School's student of the month for October in recognition of demonstrating an excel- lent attitude and work ethic in the arts.With Zehr are School Council member Susan McGregor and princi- pal Jeff Reaburn.The monthly awards are sponsored by the School Council. (photo/Scott Nixon) Hensall Shuffleboard HENSALL - Scores for Oct. 17 are as follows: (5 games) Edna Deitz 449. (4 games) Ann Van Dorren 453, Earl McNaughton 386, Joyce Pepper 354, Ken Lingelback 332, (3 games) Lorraine Alexander 425, Harry Pennings 380, Catherine DeCorte 362, Cor DeCorte 357, Alice Thiel 346, Doris Hamilton 345 The Best Placetofind Best Travel D �5. the first conservation authority in 1946, to join with the Bayfield Watershed and lakeshore area in the 1970s, and to form the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation (which has greatly assisted in the areas of conservation education, barrier -free nature trails and property acquisition). The years 1970-'75 were times of great change — and many of those changes began with young people like myself who experienced conservation through education and entered the conservation field or incorporated watershed stewardship into their own farms, careers or businesses. — Tom Prout is general manager and secretary trea- surer of the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA), Ontario's first CA and celebrating its 60th Anniversary in 2006. The Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority is joining with partner schools, municipalities and individuals to create Sixty Projects' and `Sixty Classes' for Sixty Years, in honour of the local pioneers of conservation who helped protect our lives and property through flood management and watershed stewardship. POLICE BRIEF Turkey collision in South Huron SOUTH HURON — A 1995 Ford pick-up was travel- ing south on Airport Line in South Huron when it came upon approximately 30 wild turkeys on Oct. 17. The driver placing his life at risk swerved to miss the turkeys and ended up placing his vehicle in the ditch. Approximately three of the birds were struck. The Huron County OPP are warning motorists to watch out for wildlife on area roadways. Every 38 seconds in Ontario a vehicle collides with a wild animal. In 2003 there were almost 14,000 such collisions. October, November and December are peak times when deer and other types of wild animals venture out onto high- ways, as this is their mating and migration time peri- ods. Peak times for collisions are between 5 and 7 a.m. and 5 and 11 p.m. The OPP are recommending motorists Watch -Steer -Brake and Stop to prevent get- ting injured or killed during an encounter with any wildlife on the roadways. 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