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Lakeshore Advance, 2012-06-20, Page 26Coastal Centre has a new home In Goderich Mandate is to protect ecosystem and coastal areas Oave Sykes Goderich Signal -Star The lake Huron (:entre for Coastal Conservation is finally home. After 12 years of an online presence, the Coastal Centre office at 74 Hamilton Street in Goderich was officially opened Friday with a ribbon cutting at the new facility. "()ur work has seen great successes over the last 12 years, but we felt it was time to have a bigger presence in the Lake 1 luron community by opening the new office," Mau Pearson, chair of the Centre said, "We hope people will come and visit and learn more about our lake, and about our work in coastal conservation." The organization was formed in 1998 by Geoff Peach and pat Donnelly, two former employees of the conservation authority, Pearson told the group, as a non profit, independent, science -based organization working with local commu- nities to protect beaches, control invasive species and recover damaged ecosys- tems. The centre hosts educational work- shops and conferences and supports youth education at the primary, second- aty and university levels and offers advice about the environmental health of lake 1 luron. "We have two coastal managers, a board of directors but it has been a slow climb," Pearson said. "We have the sup- port of the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority and Saugeen Authority and the coastal municipalities. We have a Home at last! photo by Dave Sykes The lake Huron Centre for Coastal Conservation officially opened its new office on Hamilton Street in Goderich Friday. Geoff Peach, Mayor Deb Shewfett, Huron -Bruce MP Carol Mitchell, Matt Pearson and Pat Donnelly of the Centre, participated in the ribbon -cutting ceremony. bi-annual conference, slake resource kits available and educate on beach stewardship: 'The Coastal Centre is the only grass- roots organization focused on protecting the coastal environment and has con- ducted many projects and outreach initi- atives along the shorelines of Lake 1 luron, Georgian Bay and Manitoulin island. For Goderich Mayoar Deb Shewfelt, involved in the mayor's initiatives on Great Lakes water quality, the centre's presence heralds a new era in education on coastal conservation and the aprotec- tion of water quality. "1 am proud to see what's happening here in a small way but big things have a small start," he saki. "'the coastal are from Sarnia to tobermory is a big area but things need to be done and there are 130 gullies along the coast. We have people The Rotary Club of Grand Bend wishes to thank all those who made "An Evening with Stephen Lewis" a resounding success. And a big thank you to our sponsors: Avon Maitland District School Board, our premier sponsor and NextEra Energy Canada Grand Bend Community Foundation Grand Bend and District Optimist Club Huron Perth Roman Catholic School Board Goderich Rotary Club West Coast lions Ron and Lynda Holmes Rotary Club of Grand Bend, Ontario Inc. Celebrating 20 years of service and we need to raise finances to get work done. 'This step (the centre) is a risk but if there is No change, there's no future.' Wednesday, July 6, 2011 • Lakeshore Advance 9 As the Centre grew and became successful, its board of direc- tors felt the organization needed to have an office presence, a move that became possible through the generous bequest of Donald James Robert Polley estate. Coastal Resource Manager, Geoff Peach saki the non-profit organization is primarily funded through grants provided by government agencies on it project by project basis. Founda- tions, private corporations and personal donations make up the balance of the funding. "We have built Up it reputation and have \\'ol'ked 1n lllall\' areas to protect ('l)ilStiti t'('oS'Stl'llls, bl'ill'Ileti, dunes and wet- lands," he explained. "Development along the coatitili aft'a degrades the system and \ve hell) to develop plans atlltt strate- gies to minimize the impact of development:' i iv said tht' (.entre has been itwotved i11 extensive duly res- toration work at Saubk' Beach adding that the t'dtl('ation com- ponent is a major responsibility of the (:entre. flit' Coastal (.entre believes that communities ('(1101ot have a healthy economy unless they have a healthy environment and to achieve this, a science -based approach is used to link aca- demic researchers, local and regional politicians, resource managers, cottagers anti municipal staff to Improve decision slaking and encourage environmental action to improve the ecosystem. "1 am pleased the Coastal Centre has a home and it pres- ence," 1 Iuron-Bruce MP Carol Mitchell said. "We have relied on the Centre for education and co-ordination of volunteers and this move is a leap of faith. We have to work hard to protect our lakes and lake 1 luron." i ht' Cai gllI teach would like to think oui CustonlVI S In the (;r eenwaly area 1o1 their Many years of hostiles! Caigill s ('OIlltHhllenl to investing 111 and managing a sale. cost etfec.hve and customer (lintel) network of farm ser vice cantors across Canada has motivated the to ruination of out Greenwav facilit\ lyase The land owner. Huron (lrana. has been a valued dustless par tner to Cai(}ill fol :'!-) veal s and is searching foi new tenants to serve the (lieenway Community While it is dit11t'ult to move out tit a facility 111 such a great community. Cargill will continue to mil k with you flu ough our sat rounding locations We ale excited to continue providing outstanding advice and loculi; ed solutions to vote. including off farm glum pick up and direct 10 ta1111 ('i01) 11111111 1)t0(1lICIS Sill VICVS .ind Sulutu)rlS For more information, please contact Chris Ingratta 519-495-0830 "0 a 1.