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The Lucknow Sentinel, 2015-09-02, Page 101 Lucknow Sentinel • Wednesday, September 2, 2015 International Year of Soils great time to plant trees Landowners purchasing trees through fall tree order form Submitted by Ausable Bayfield Conservation The United Nations General Assembly has declared 2015 is the International Year of Soils. This year is a perfect time to plant trees on your property, said Ian Jean, Forestry and Land Stewardship Specialist with Ausable Bayfield Conservation. "Topsoil is easy to lose and hard to get back," he said. "Tree planting is one of the ways to preserve that valuable resource." Trees can help preserve valuable topsoil on the land and help to reduce soil erosion, according to Jean. Research says windbreaks can help increase yields as well, he said. "Even when you take into account the loss of production within and beside a tree row, a gain in yield can be realized further into the field that may exceed those losses." The Ausable Bayfield Conserva- tion Authority (ABCA) has announced that its fall tree order form is now available online at abca.on.ca. Visit abca.on.ca and type `trees' into the search tool at the top of the home page. (Then press `enter' and the 'order trees' page should be at the top of the choices). The page can also be found as a drop-down menu item under the Forestry and Stewardship button on the home page. The fall order form is active until the end of September. Tree orders in the spring make up the majority of tree purchases each year through Ausable Bayfield Conservation's tree order program but landowners are also active each autumn ordering trees. "Fall is a great time of year to plant ball and burlap evergreens and potted deciduous trees," Jean said. "We have two -foot balled and burlap spruce and cedar that are ideal for creating windbreaks and shelter - belts on fields and farms:' The final days of summer are a great time to think ahead for your tree planting plans for next year, according to the Forestry and Land Stewardship Specialist. "If you are thinking of planting trees next spring, September and October are some of the best times to do your site prepa- ration" he said. "Starting to plan now also provides time to do proper site assessment and get cost -share fund- ing in place for next spring:' The fall tree order form is now available at the Ausable Bayfield Conservation office at 71108 Mor- rison Line, east of Exeter, or online at abca.on.ca. Tree species offered for sale through the fall program are: White Cedar, White Pine, White Spruce, Norway Spruce, Blue Spruce, Silver Maple, Sugar Maple, Red Oak, Bur Oak and Tulip Tree. Elderberry, Chokeberry and Red Osier Dogwood shrubs are also available.) Grant programs are often availa- ble to help offset the cost of plant- ing windbreaks or other steward- ship projects. For larger -scale reforestation, cost -share funding is available through Trees Ontario, the Government of Canada's Habi- tat Stewardship Program, and other sources. Additional funding may also be available for farmers with an Environmental Farm Plan through the Species at Risk Farm Incentive Program. Funding is also available from the Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) for some windbreak planting projects along provincial highways 4 and 21. Funding for windbreaks is available in Huron County through the Huron County Clean Water Project. "If you are interested in planting trees, give us a call and we will help make it as easy as possible to get grants from the various programs that are available," Jean said. "In many cases the funding level is 50 per cent, but in some areas you can achieve up to 100 per cent cost recovery." Rural landowners may have many reasons for planting trees. Trees provide shade and wind pro- tection that reduces winter heating and summer cooling costs. Wind- breaks reduce crop stress, soil NEW DENTAL SERVICE No Additional Fee REVERSE NUMBNESS twice as fast OraVerse is the first and only dental local anesthesia reversal agent. Now you will be able to smile, speak and drink normally much sooner! Hanover (226) 277-0745 - A Dawson Dental Family Practice - Lucknow (226) 277-0740 E 0 a 0 U Submitted Photo Agricultural producers and other rural landowners preserve topsoil, improve forest conditions by planting trees ordered through spring, autumn programs by Ausable Bayfield Conservation. erosion and have been shown by many studies to improve long term crop yields. Treed buffers can help protect the quality of water in a creek or river and provide habitat and corridors for wildlife. Some people are planting to replace Ash trees killed by Emerald Ash Borer, an invasive beetle from Asia. Plant- ing a greater diversity of native tree species on your property is the best strategy against future pests, dis- eases or changes in climate. "People may have lots of reasons to plant trees," Jean said. "Whatever your reason, we thank you for helping to protect soil, and improve the quality of air and water, by planting trees." Ausable Bayfield Conservation staff members can help you with many aspects of land stewardship, including planting plans, site prep- aration, forest management plans, wildlife habitat improvement, and erosion control advice. Grants may cover up to 100 per cent of the cost of reforestation pro- jects. If you have questions please visit abca.on.ca or contact Ian Jean, Ausable Bayfield Conservation For- estry and Land Stewardship Spe- cialist, at 519-235-2610, or toll-free 1-888-286-2610, or by e-mail. Visit the Ausable Bayfield Conservation staff contacts page at http://www. abca.on.ca/contact_staff.php. Tony Los guests at the Goderich Co-op Gallery Submitted A lifelong study of theology, music and philosophy, for the Co- op's next guest artist, was inspired by his early life in post-war Hol- land. Born just after the close of World War II, he witnessed the aftermath and listened to the sto- ries of his relatives. Believing that Canada would be a healthier place to raise his family, Tony's father brought them to this country. Encouragement by his Canadian teacher at the age of seven is still remembered as Tony enjoyed draw- ing planes but needed to improve some aspects of perspective. He was thrilled that she thought enough of his drawings to supply criticism and he was able to understand her les- son and change from that criticism. Tony's parents encouraged him by supplying him with sketch pad, paints and books to promote his art. Enrollment in H.B.Beal's, an arts high school in London, pre- cipitated serious attempts at paint- ing. The vibrant art scene which prevailed there during the 1960's peaked his interest still further and his hobby became a serious endeavour. In particular, Tony was inspired by Herb Ariss, Rudolf Bik- kers, and Don Bonham. The opening for Tony's show at the Co-op will be on Saturday, Sep- tember 5, at 1 p,m. and the artist will be present. Come and see his vibrant abstract acrylic paintings! New work is always appearing on the walls, as our full-time members become inspired, and create in a variety of media. A working artist is always on duty at 54 Courthouse Square„ lower level. Phone 519- 440-0523 or visit www.gcgallery.ca for more information.