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CVC Celebrates 50 Years of Conservation
On May 13th 2004, Credit Valley Conservation will celebrate its 50th anniversary....more
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Island Lake Conservation Area Maple Syrup Festival
Experience the history behind maple syrup production in Ontario at Island Lake's maple syrup facility....more
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Conservation Areas Open for Spring!
Belfountain and Island Lake Conservation Areas will be opening their gates once again to welcome in the arrival of spring.....more
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Call of the Frogs...
Credit Valley Conservation is holding a Frog Workshop......more
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Gardening with Nature
Its coming to that time of year again! Time to get on the gardening gloves, pick your favourite plants and start digging!.....more
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A Planting We Will Go!
As CVC approaches its 50th anniversary, we are greatly looking forward to planting our 6th millionth tree during our 2004 Reforestation Program....more
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A Naturalist's Eye: Spring Migration and the Credit River Watershed Birds of Conservation Concern
With spring on its way, some of our songbirds, like the familiar American Robin, are starting to return to the Credit River watershed...more
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Flood Meeting Team Meeting
On Wednesday March 10th, Credit Valley Conservation held its Annual Flood Warning Team Meeting....more
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Green Acres Workshop
Have you ever thought about growing crops or raising animals? Do you have trees but you're not sure what they are or how to take care of them? Do you have problems with wildlife?...more
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Fletcher's Creek Outreach Update
The Fletcher's Creek Community Outreach Program was launched in February.....more
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CVC's Conservation Planning Service
CVC offers a Conservation Planning Service to landowners who wish to know more about their land and its management...more
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Credit River Rehabilitation Initiative: Plans for 2004
With the completion of the Upper Credit River Rehabilitation Initiative, a new initiative is about to be launched using the necessary processes of assessment, collaboration and scientific rationale...more
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Brampton Environmental Community Advisory Panel
BECAP members were pleased to join the Friends of the Credit at the
November Stewardship Forum....more
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CVC Celebrates 50 Years of Conservation
 In the mid 1940's the Credit Valley Lions Club Community Betterment Committee Chairman Elmer Wright proposed the club promote the improvement of the marshes and outlet of the lower stretches of the Credit River. At the same time the Georgetown Lions Club proposed a programme to eliminate pollution and flooding. A.H. Richardson, Chief Conservation Engineer in the provincial Department of Planning and Development, suggested a meeting be held in Brampton in 1949, where he promoted the idea that the Orangeville, Georgetown, Brampton and Credit Valley Clubs work towards establishing a Conservation Authority.
After 5 years of discussion, opposition and delays the motion to establish the Conservation Authority received a 2/3 majority vote and on May 13th , 1954 the Order of Council officially established the Credit Valley Conservaiton Authority.
CVC has come a long way since its inception and has continued to work in partnership with municipalities, community groups, and landowners to minimize flooding and drought, enhance water quality, protect natural features and green spaces, and restore or improve the health of ecosystems throughout the watershed. In summary, CVC has, and is, continually striving to achieve its main goal of an environmentally healthy river for socially and economically healthy communities.
With the Credit River watershed being one of the most rapidly urbanizing parts of Canada, CVC not only has to acknowledge its successes and achievements from the past, but it must strive to solve the new challenges of our times. The year 2004 is an important year for CVC, as it will celebrate its 50th anniversary – half a century of dedicated conservation efforts. A committee has been formed and is currently discussing the upcoming celebrations and events to take place during the coming months.
If you have any questions concerning CVC's 50th anniversary celebrations, please contact CVC.
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Island Lake Conservation Area Maple Syrup Festival
Experience the history behind maple syrup production in Ontario at Island Lake's maple syrup facility! A real maple syrup producing forest and sugar shack is on site and accessible to visitors. Come out with family and friends to experience fun and educational, guided programs explaining the traditional and modern maple syrup production methods.
A pancake breakfast will be happening all day to let you taste the maple syrup. There will also be plenty of opportunity to purchase the product.
Of course, visitors are also welcome to explore the extensive trail network at Island Lake Conservation Area and enjoy the wildlife viewing opportunities that exist during this time of the year.
| Date: |
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Saturday, April 3, 2004
(Rain Day: April 4) |
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| Time: |
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9:00 am – 6:00 pm |
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| Location: |
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Island Lake Conservation Area,
673067 Hurontario Street,
Orangeville,
ON
map |
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| Cost: |
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$6 (adults)
$4 (children under 10) |
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| Contacts: |
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Orangeville Optimists Club
Everett Lusk
519-942-0392
or
Island Lake Conservation Area
1-800-367-0890
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Conservation Areas Opening for Spring!
Belfountain and Island Lake Conservation Areas will be opening their gates once again to welcome the arrival of spring.
 Belfountain Conservation Area, located in the quaint village of Belfountain in Caledon, is one of our picturesque conservation areas. Originally belonging to the Mack family, there are walkways, a fountain (from which Belfountain gets its name), gardens, and historic stonework. For the more adventurous, a nature trail spans the river gorge using a suspension bridge and then winds along the steep sides of the Escarpment.
| Spring Hours of Operation: |
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April 23rd - June 17th
Fridays: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Weekends and holidays: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. |
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| Fee: |
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Adults $4.00
Seniors and Children 3-12: $2.25 |
 Island Lake Conservation Area, located in the Towns of Orangeville and Mono, contains wetlands, forests and meadows which play an important ecological role in protecting the headwaters of four rivers: the Credit, Nottawasaga, Grand and Humber. The conservation area offers many recreational opportunities all year round. Now with the warmer weather approaching, being out on the water seems the most logical place to be. Island Lake offers both canoe and kayak rentals to facilitate the water enjoyment.
| Spring Hours of Operation: |
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April 23rd - June 17th
Fridays: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Weekends and holidays: 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. |
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| Fee: |
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Adults $4.00
Seniors and Children 3-12: $2.25 |
For more information, please contact CVC or visit the Belfountain or Island Lake sections of our website.
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Call of the Frogs
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Wednesday, April 21, 2004 |
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| Time: |
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7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. |
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| Location: |
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Silver Creek Outdoor Education Centre,
27 Sideroad and 9th Line,
Town of Halton Hills, ON |
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| Cost: |
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Free |
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| Contacts: |
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CVC
905-670-1615 |
 CVC is holding a Frog Workshop. Participants will learn about frogs and toads inhabiting the Credit River watershed. In particular, they will learn to recognize the calls of frogs and toads, as well as how to identify some species by sight.
Naturalists will discuss preferred amphibian habitats and the ecological importance of these animals.
Photo Credit: Kerry Jarvis |
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Gardening with Nature
 Its coming to that time of year again! Time to get on the gardening gloves, pick your favourite plants and start digging! Although those of us with a green thumb are quite familiar with the common and colorful annuals and perennials in our local greenhouses, like Impatiens or Geraniums, a gardener's paradise can be created using plants native to our area. Native species not only provide screening and shade, but they also attract native wildlife, like birds and butterflies, as well as improving water quality and air quality. They are usually hardier and much better suited to our climate and are more resistant to local pests. Consider using native species. Ask your local nursery for advice!
Here are some suggestions for converting your backyard into a native garden paradise:
Groundcovers:
Carpeters – bugleweed, creeping jenny
Leafy covers – cranesbill, herb robert
Herbs & edibles – sweet violet, camomile, wild strawberry
Vines:
Trumpet honeysuckle – attracts hummingbirds
Riverbank Grape – Fruit and nest site for birds
Virginia Creeper – attracts thrushes, woodpeckers, warblers and vireos
Trees:
Eastern white cedar, white spruce and white pine – attacts birds and provides shelter for robins, house finches, chickadees, grosbeaks, nuthatches, white throated sparrows
Mountain Ash, black cherry – provides winter food for cardinals, evening grosbeaks and others
White Birch – attracts finches, juncos, nuthatches
Oaks – attracts jays, squirrels and deer
Shrubs:
Red Osier, Common Elder, nannyberry – provides food and cover for songbirds, attracts deer, rabbits and squirrels
High Bush Cranberry – provides winter food for grouse, songbirds
Raspberry – provides food and cover for songbirds, rabbits, squirrels, and winter food for deer, rabbits
 Flowering Plants:
Alfalfa, allium, asters, black-eyed Susan, butterfly-weed, clover, native columbine, wild deplinium, hyssop, iris, mints (peppermint, spearmint), sunflower, violets, wild geranium
For more ideas on bringing nature to your backyard, request a copy of our "Be a Good Neighbour" Booklet. Contact CVC for your copy. |
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A Planting We Will Go!
 As CVC approaches its 50th anniversary, we are greatly looking forward to planting our 6th millionth tree during our 2004 Reforestation Program. This program promotes the planting of native tree seedlings within the Credit River watershed and consists of planting dormant seedlings either by hand or by machine in early spring. This year we are forecasted to plant approximately 35, 000 tree seedlings, which is equivalent to the reforestation of 42 acres of land.
In addition to its Reforestation Program, CVC also has the Naturalization Planting Program. This program consists of planting potted native trees and shrubs throughout the watershed to help improve wildlife habitat and erosion control. More than 7, 000 potted units will be planted under this program.
CVC offers landowner subsidies for high priority plantings under either of these programs. We are always looking for future planting opportunities within the watershed. If you would like to have any planting done under either the Reforestation or Naturalization Programs, please contact CVC for further details. |
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A Naturalist's Eye: Spring Migration and the Credit River Watershed Birds of Conservation Concern
 With spring on its way, some of our songbirds, like the familiar American Robin, are starting to return to the Credit River watershed. They are joining other species like the black-capped chickadees, dark-eyed juncos and northern cardinals that have stayed here over the winter. Those birds that go south are termed by scientists as neotropical migrants - species, which depart in the fall from northern climates (Canada) and head to the neotropics (Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama), only to return again the following spring.
The observance of different species of birds during the spring migration almost appears to happen over night. The birds' appearance seems to happen very quickly partially because most songbirds migrate at night, following celestial and magnetic cues that have been passed on for generations. It is also because each species has an optimal time for arriving in their breeding areas.
Upon arrival, the competition for resources begins. The strongest males are the first to return, in order to secure “prime real-estate” locations, usually where they have nested in previous years. Newcomers (including the previous year's young) generally have to fight to secure a location, unless they are able to inherit a territory from an older or unhealthy bird that didn't survive the winter. Females arrive later, and select males that occupy the best habitats for rearing young. Nests are constructed, eggs are laid, and young are raised, and then it is time for the birds to return south.
 While there is a certain amount of variability each year, scientists have recently noticed a disturbing trend. In the last 20 years or so, less migratory bird species are returning to southern Ontario (and indeed to northern climates period) than ever before. Habitat loss, not only on wintering grounds, but in breeding grounds and in “stopover areas” is generally thought to be the reason for this trend. While CVC is interested in the presence of all species in the watershed, we are especially concerned about those species whose populations seem to be declining.
In 1997, CVC, in cooperation with the Upper Credit, Halton-North Peel and South Peel Field Naturalist Clubs, along with assistance from the Canadian Wildlife Service, Federation of Ontario Naturalists, Ministry of Natural Resources and others created a list of Credit River Watershed Birds Species of Concern. There are 110 species of “Conservation Concern,” that fulfill one or more of the following requirements.
- They have been designated “at risk” (meaning that they are endangered, threatened, or vulnerable/of special concern) by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) or the Committee of the Status of Species at Risk in Ontario (COSSARO).
- They have been ranked provincially as “extremely rare” (usually 5 or fewer occurrences) or “very rare” (usually between 5 and 20 occurrences) by the Natural Heritage Information Centre.
- They are considered habitat specialists (meaning that the species either: use the Credit River watershed as important wintering habitat; are area sensitive; or require forest interior habitat).
- They are considered a research priority because: a) these species are showing a marked population decline in the Credit River watershed according to Long Point Bird Observatory/ Bird Studies Canada records and/or the Atlas of Breeding Birds of Ontario; or b) there is currently no breeding evidence of these species in the Credit River watershed, but the watershed is within their geographic range and contains suitable breeding habitat for these species.
How can I help?
There are a couple of easy ways, such as:
- Learn how to identify and record the presence of these species – learn their preferred habitats and feeding requirements – so you can contribute towards a monitoring program.
- Take part in stewardship or restoration opportunities on your property.
- Join one of the watershed's naturalist clubs and become an advocate for the protection of the critical habitats these species need.
CVC has created a Credit River Watershed Bird Data Card, which can be used for natural area surveys and for other forms of field collection. Although CVC does conduct its own monitoring surveys, public participation is encouraged. In fact, CVC is currently in the process of designing a database to house information that the public collects regarding the presence (or absence) of all species in the watershed.
If you interested in learning more about our species of Conservation Concern, or would like to obtain a bird data card so that you can record the species you see, please contact Kari Van Allen, Natural Heritage Technician, at 905-670-1615. If you are interested in stewardship or restoration opportunities on you property, please contact Dave Beaton, Stewardship Technician, at 905-670-1615.
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Flood Meeting Team Meeting
On Wednesday March 10th, CVC held its Annual Flood Warning Team Meeting. Among the attendees were representatives from the municipalities of the City of Mississauga, Town of Caledon, Town of Halton Hills, Town of Erin and the County of Wellington. Credit Valley Conservation staff involved with flood warning and emergency response also attended the meeting.
The meeting began with an overview of the roles and responsibilities of Conservation Authorities, including a description of the various CVC staff roles during a flood event. The meeting carried on with a general overview of the Flood Warning Manual and CVC's standard operating procedures (SOPs) during regular time periods and during a Flood Emergency.
Joan Klaassen from the Meteorological Service of Canada gave a presentation on “Extreme Rainfall in Southern Ontario's Recent Past, Current and Future Climate.” There was much commentary during the meeting from the member municipalities and a lot of positive feedback from both CVC staff and municipal representatives. Overall the 2004 Flood Warning Team Meeting was a tremendous success.
 In early March, the snow pack had diminished considerably as milder weather and some rain had contributed to runoff and ice break up. The cold temperatures that persisted through January and February had developed significant ice covers along our rivers and streams. As temperatures rose and flows increased along our watercourses, the potential for flooding and ice jamming was of particular concern. However, this year there were no reported incidents of flooding and only minor incidents of ice jamming along our watercourses as a result of the spring break up. |
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Green Acres Workshop
| Date: |
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Saturday, June 12, 2004 |
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| Time: |
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8:00 am – 4:00 pm |
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| Location: |
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Tony Rose Memorial Community Centre
Orangeville, ON |
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| Cost: |
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$25.00 (before May 15th)
$30.00 (after May 15th) |
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| Contacts: |
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Greg Bales
Halton Peel Woodlands & Wildlife Stewardship Coordinator
905-713-7375 |
A one-day workshop for rural property owners on:
- Small-scale agriculture
- Woodlot Management
- Water Conservation and Management
- Wildlife Habitat and Recreation
Have you ever thought about growing crops or raising animals? Do you have trees but you're not sure what they are or how to take care of them? Do you have problems with wildlife? Are you concerned about your water supply? Do you have a rural property and you're not sure what to do with it?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then this workshop is for you.
This workshop is sponsored by the Dufferin / South Simcoe Lands Stewardship Network, Halton Peel Woodlands & Wildlife Stewardship, and CVC. |
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Fletcher's Creek Outreach Program: Update
The Fletcher's Creek Community Outreach Program was launched in February. The program was initiated in response to trends in water quality that have been observed through a special study of the creek over the past seven years. The majority of Fletcher's Creek is found in the rapidly developing area of West Brampton. This growth has put great pressure on our water resources.
The program has received very positive feedback. Participants have included students of elementary schools and ESL classes. The focus of the presentations has been water pollution and ways of minimizing our impact on our local watercourses. Through discussion, demonstrations, and activities, the program has encouraged students to reflect on practices that can both benefit and harm the health of our rivers and creeks. Discussions on the different types of pollution that are present in our local waterways allow participants to recognize that water pollution can take a variety of forms and can originate from many sources. Students are made familiar with the concept of what a watershed is and the importance of protecting its features to ensure healthy water for people and the environment.
 Pollutants may enter the creek from runoff from rain and snow or from points where the drainage system empties into the watercourse. This means that if a pollutant is dropped at what seems to be a far distance from a creek, once it goes down a stormwater drain it will eventually end up in a watercourse. As these drains have no plugs, unlike the drain in our kitchen sink, younger children are being encouraged to be the plugs by stopping pollutants before they have a chance to “go down the storm drain”.
For more information, please contact CVC. |
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CVC's Conservation Planning Service
CVC offers a Conservation Planning Service to landowners who wish to know more about their land and its management.
Why do a Conservation Plan?
This service helps you accomplish four important objectives:
- Learn about the plants and animals that share your land.
- Understand your property and how it fits into the local environment.
- Learn about tax incentives and programs available to help you.
- Identify management options to help you achieve your goals
What advice does a plan provide?
Typical plans include helpful advice on:
- Forestry issues related to plantations or natural forest
- Ecologically friendly pond management
- Developing trails to help you access and enjoy your property
- Encouraging wildlife and managing pest species
- Streamside improvements to improve fishing
For more information, please contact Dave Beaton, Stewardship Technician at CVC at 1-800-668-5557. |
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Credit River Rehabilitation Initiative: Plans for 2004 Workshop
 With the completion of the Upper Credit River Rehabilitation Initiative, a new initiative is about to be launched using the necessary processes of assessment, collaboration and scientific rationale. Trout Unlimited and CVC, with funding from the Ministry of Natural Resources, are assessing the present physical and biological conditions of the river to help identify potential areas of concern and to prioritize work.
Alhtough details about the new initiative will be discussed at the workshop, plans are already underway in a number of avenues. Two habitat biologists will be hired to assess specific rehabilitation projects in a particular tributary area. Potential instream work projects include the areas of the West Credit, Little East Credit, Silver Creek, and the main River downstream of Olde Baseline to Glen Williams. An inventory of approximately 30 major and possibly 300-500 minor dams is anticipated to be completed in conjunction with CVC. More theme-based projects within the Credit River watershed include dam assessment and removals and a tree-planting program for private properties.
The first initiative spanned four years, developed over a dozen landowner and organization partnerships, hired 4 summer student crews and planted over 5,000 trees along a 14 km section of the river. |
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Brampton Environmental Community Advisory Panel (BECAP)
| Date: |
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last Wednesday of every month |
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| Time: |
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6:30 pm – 8:30 pm |
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| Location: |
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CAW Hall
23 Regan Road
Brampton, ON |
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| Cost: |
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Free |
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| Contacts: |
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Rosemary Keenan
Chairperson |
BECAP members were pleased to join the Friends of the Credit at the
November Stewardship Forum. The expertise and dedication of the many
groups working to support wildlife habitats and the health of the Credit River
are truly inspiring. BECAP has been working at building public awareness
and appreciation in Brampton for the incredible resource we have in the
Credit River watershed. As well as public outreach activities
at Riverfest in Norval, Chinguacousy Park's Bramachamawingding and
Brampton Fall Fair, BECAP members have built connections with Caledon
Countryside Alliance, Peel Environmental Network and Willow Park Ecology
Center in Norval. Willow Park is a working model for the restoration
and preservation possible with the support of partnership
for a healthy river valley. BECAP envisions the Credit River Valley,
with one foot in the Niagara Escarpment and one foot in the Oak Ridges
Moraine, as an integral part of Ontario's natural heritage, to be
protected and preserved for the citizens of Brampton and for future
generations. |
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