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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News Record, 2015-06-24, Page 22 News Record • Wednesday, June 24, 2015 Going `glocal' with Blue Communities Project Laura Broadley Clinton News Record Last weekend the Bayfield Blue Communities Project hosted a Celebration of Water. A walk for water, bike for water and a screening of the film Exxpedition preceded a special presentation at Bay- field Town Hall. "Glocali7ation" as a way of thinking globally and locally at the same time was the mes- sage behind Jennifer Pate's presentation. Pate is a filmmaker and envi- ronmentalist who travelled across the Atlantic with a group of 14 women and documented it in the film Exxpedition. The goal was to travel between two gyres and col- lect water samples along the way to test for plastics and toxins. There are five gyres in the world's oceans that are giant currents which have accumulated large amounts of plastics. Micro -plastics are a major problem in the oceans because it absorbs toxins that are harmful to humans and wildlife, Pate explained. Pate called on people to think about local and global environments as intercon- nected systems. There can't be a focus on one and not the other. The Great Lakes system is next on Pate's radar. "It's not just out there in the oceans. It's right here in our backyards, Pate said. "Think global, think local:' Maude Barlow, chairperson of the Council of Canadians was the keynote speaker. The Blue Communities Project is an initiative of the Council of Canadians. Water as a human right is a principle of a Blue Commu- nity. The United Nations declared water a human right but there are many powerful multinational corporations that disagree. Barlowwon't let that declara- tion go down without a fight. One cannot attempt to solve environmental issues when there are people suffer- ing in the world and vice versa, said Barlow. When water is privatized and sold in bottles with signif- icantly increased prices it is the world's most vulnerable who suffer. There is a moral imperative to act, Barlow explained. The manufacturing of plas- tic bottles requires excessive amounts of oil and results in massive amounts of plastic being discarded, Barlow said. The majority of plastic bottles aren't recycled and often make it into water systems. The Bayfield Blue Commu- nities Project is bringing water stations to the village where reusable bottles can be filled. Barlow praised Bayfield's grassroots effort to protect the right to water. Both Pate and Barlow expressed the need for opti- mism and action. With significant commu- nity support, the project is attempting to eliminate the use of disposable plastic water bottles. Beyond Bayfield the Blue Communities Project is reaching out to neighbouring areas to become Blue Communities. HTLTC receives first land donation Laura Broadley Clinton News Record Members of the Mayhew family and chairman of the HTLTC, Roger Lewington unveil the sign at the ten -acre property near Holmesville. The donation was made in memory of Iris and Jack Mayhew and is the first donation of land to the organization. Laura Broadley Clinton News Record A dedication ceremony and sign unveiling took place last Friday to celebrate an impor- tant donation of land to the Huron Tract Land Trust Con- servancy (HTLTC). The Mayhew family, in memory of Iris and Jack May- hew, donated the land. The ten - acre property is completelyfor- ested, serves as a groundwater recharge area and provides habitats for wildlife. This is the first donation of land to the HTLTC and chairman Roger Lewington said land donations are the most powerful way to pro- tect the area. He hopes that this will encourage others to donate as well. The HTLTC is a volunteer organization, which was cre- ated in 2011 with the help of the Ausable Bayfield Conser- vation Foundation. The goal of land conserv- ancies is to permanently protect land, water and habi- tat by way of financial or property donations and sometimes through the pur- chase of land. More information can be found at www.htltc.ca. Bayfield raises blue flag over main beach and marina Laura Broadley Clinton News Record Bayfield is setting a prece- dent for its fellow coastal communities. The Municipality of Blue - water was the recipient of the blue flag award at Bluewater marina and main beach and last Friday two blue flags were raised in the village. The blue flag designation is eco -certification adminis- tered by Environmental Defence in Canada and by the Foundation for Environ- mental Education internationally. Across the country 26 beaches and six marinas are flying the blue flag. Bayfield joins 49 other countries and more than 4,000 beaches and marinas that have been certified all over the world. INDIAN RIVER DIRECT GEORGIA PEACH TRUCKLOAD SALE 11 THURS., JULY 2ND 1:00 TO 3:OOPM July 9, 16, & 23 - 1:OOpm-3:OOpm China Palace Restaurant CASE LOT SALE FREE STONE GEORGIA PEACHES, www.indianriverdirect.com The blue flag is awarded to places that meet stand- ards in safety, water qual- ity, environmental educa- tion, management and sustainability each year. Beaches must meet provin- cial standards for water quality and safety stand- ards, including lifeguards or lifesaving equipment. Beaches are required to meet 33 criteria and mari- nas must meet 25. The Bluewater marina was the first blue flag designated marina in Canada. A new goal in the works is for every boat in the marina to uphold eco -standards and to fly a blue flag. Bluewater Mayor Tyler Hessel said the idea to pur- sue the blue flag designation was initiated by Deputy Mayor Jim Fergusson over five years ago and it quickly gained support from the rest of Council. Hessel praised the part- nerships between Council and other groups, like the Pioneer Park Association and the marina that were integral to ensure the beach and marina are up to the standard for the blue flag designation. "I think it's important that Laura Broadley Clinton News Record Last Friday two blue flags were raised in Bayfield at the main beach and marina. A blue flag designation is an eco -certification administered by Environmental Defence in Canada. Beaches and marinas must meet a variety of criteria to be awarded a blue flag including, safety, water quality, education and management. these partnerships continue going forward," Hessel said. "It's one of those things when Morrison Berries Country Market FRESH -PICKED & PICK -YOUR -OWN Strawberries Call to confirm availability before making the drive 519-528-2900 Hours: Mon. - Fri. 8 am - 7 pm • Sat. 8 am - 5 pm • Sun. 11 am - 5 pm 37777 Amberley Rd., Lucknow www.morrisonberries.com we're all working together great things can happen." The beach and marina are of significant economic importance to Bluewater and maintaining them will draw tourism to the area. Hessel wants the water to be maintained so future gener- ations can enjoy it too. "Blue flag is an example of us thinking about the children of the future. Making sure that they are going to have a chance to use the beach, swim in it, surf in it and just have the fun that I had when I was their age."