CVC celebrates fall at Island Lake Conservation Area

On October 1st 2005, CVC hosted its first Annual Fall Festival at Island Lake Conservation Area. Family and friends of the Credit River watershed gathered for a fun filled day of horse drawn carriage rides, nature hikes, arts and crafts vendors, wildlife displays, children's activities, games, music, face painting, a BBQ and more.

The opening ceremonies were led by Pat Mullin, CVC Chair / Councillor, City of Mississauga; Marolyn Morrison, CVC Foundation Chair / Mayor of Caledon and; Keith Thompson, Mayor of Mono. CVC’s Conservation Land Management Coordinator, Tim Wood, acted as the master of ceremonies.

There were many festival favourites throughout the day. Sciensational Snakes, a live reptile show that has thrilled audiences across Ontario, gave spectators the chance to learn about the unique features of our scaly friends, reflecting on the importance of their conservation and protection. Hiker Mike, the Alter Ego of Actor/Broadcaster Mike Kirby, Station Voice of Home and Garden television led an informative and active guided hike through Island Lake Conservation Area. The children’s area featured many great activities and games, including face painting, a craft area and a children’s story time led by Tara of Ontario Early Years. The vendor’s area featured several great items, including hand painted wooden Christmas ornaments, jewelry (even some brought from Pakistan), blankets, purses, knitted and crocheted items, handmade soap, stained glass and a whole lot more.

CVC would like to thank all those that contributed to this event. Without your support, this day would not have been possible.

Carriage ride through Island Lake.		Sciensational Snakes Show

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A spirited affair

The "spirits" of Belfountain Conservation Area.

The “Spirits” were all out in fine form at Belfountain Conservation Area on Saturday September 24th recounting the rich cultural heritage of the Belfountain area. CVC's first annual Spirit Walk was a tremendous success, entertaining and educating the public as they walked through scenes from the past where local spirits returned for one special night to tell their tales. The Spirit Walk could not have been the success it was without the amazing volunteers from CVC staff and their families. CVC's Education Technician, Lindsay Stroud, did a fantastic job directing the “Spirits” and planning the event while a big thank you goes out to the Conservation Area staff that helped out. Rumour has it that these Spirits come out at least once a year so look for this event to echo through the hills of Belfountain Conservation Area again next year.

CVC informs public about new generic regulations

Revisions to the Conservation Authorities Act by the Province of Ontario have resulted in a new Ontario Regulation 97/04 - Development, Interference with Wetlands and Alterations to Shorelines and Watercourses. Credit Valley Conservation is hosting a number of information sessions throughout the Credit River Watershed to present the new regulation and mapping to the public. CVC’s open houses include information on the areas and activities to which the revised regulation will apply. Development within areas that are adjacent or close to watercourses, valleys, wetlands or shorelines may be affected by this regulation.

The new regulation applies to the following development activities and must be approved by conservation authorities:
• the construction, reconstruction, erection or placing of a building or structure of any kind,
• any change to a building or structure that would have the effect of altering the use or potential use of the building or structure, increasing the size of the building or structure or
• increasing the number of dwelling units in the building or structure, site grading, or
• the temporary or permanent placing, dumping or removal of any material, originating on the site or elsewhere.

The types of lands affected by the new regulation, if they are located in a regulated area, are:
• Ravines, valleys, steep slopes (escarpment areas)
• Wetlands including swamps, marshes, bogs, fens and ponds.
• Any river, creek, flood plain or valley land
• Lake shorelines.

For more information, contact:
Credit Valley Conservation, Ph: (905) 670-1615, Toll Free: 1-800-668-5557,
Website: www.creditvalleycons.com, Email: cvc@creditvalleycons.com

CVC's private landowner tree planting service

Machine Tree Planting

As a landowner in the Credit River watershed, you may be eligible to participate in our Private Landowner Tree Planting Service. CVC assists private landowners with tree planting and offers a variety of services to landowners within the Credit River Watershed. Landowners choosing CVC Planting services may also be eligible for subsidies on the cost of their planting project.

There are two types of planting programs available for landowners. In Program one, CVC staff will supply, deliver and install plant materials on your property. Program two allows landowners to pick up plant stock and materials from CVC’s Terra Cotta nurseries.

To learn more about this service, please click here or contact Zoltan Kovacs , CVC Forester at (905) 702-5201, cvc@creditvalleycons.com.