CVC celebrates it's 51st anniversary

Board members raise flags at the CVC main office

The Credit Valley Conservation Authority celebrated its 51 st Anniversary on May 13, 2005 .

A flag raising ceremony was held to mark the occasion. The Canadian, Province of Ontario and CVC flags were raised by our Chair - Pat Mullin, (Councillor, City of Mississauga), Vice-Chair - Bob Shirley, Joan Robson, Board Member (Town of Halton Hills) and Mary Shields, Board Member. Following the flag raising, the Board Members and staff celebrated with cake and ice-cream.

Summer has arrived and so have some fun and interactive educational programs in our Conservation Areas. Credit Valley Conservation is excited to be re-investing in our education programs at our Conservation Areas and we’re calling on all of you to come out and participate. CVC believes strongly in the power of education to foster protection and stewardship in our natural areas. It is through education that we understand and through that understanding that we can truly protect.

We know that you’ve been enjoying the Conservation Areas for years now and hope these education programs will add to your enjoyment. We will be offering a variety of programs intended to interest all of our visitors including children’s programs, and guided/canoe hikes, as well as special events such as Spirit Walks and Fall Festivals. Our goal is to make the summer season a fun and educational experience for all of our visitors.

Summer is fast approaching, so check out our website at http://www.creditvalleycons.com/new/events.html or the coming events section of this newsletter for a list of the programs being offered right now. Keep checking the website and the Conservation Areas for updates. Please feel free to contact Tim Wood or Lindsay Stroud, Credit Valley Conservation at 905-670-1615 or 1-800-668-5557 with any questions you might have.

So, it is only July 1st and your child is already claiming there is nothing to do. Why not check out our Junior Conservationist Program at Island Lake Conservation Area? Through hands-on, interactive activities participants will have a chance to explore the natural world around them and find their place within it.

Here is how the program works. There are four two-hour sessions each focusing on a different topic, from towering trees to underwater critters and endangered species to protected habitats. The program participants will be able to follow their progress and complete extra activities with their Junior Conservationist Track Sheet. Once they have completed the activity sessions they will qualify for the Junior Conservationist certificate award.

Sessions run Thursdays from July 7th through August 18th between 10am and noon at Island Lake Conservation Area. The program is designed for ages 6 to 12, but we welcome families to attend. Participants should dress for the weather and outdoor activity (sturdy shoes and sunscreen) and bring water.

For more details please visit the coming events section of this newsletter or our website at http://www.creditvalleycons.com/new/events.html or contact Lindsay Stroud at 905-670-1615 or 1-800-668-5557.

Staff at CVC will be spending a little extra time up in the northwest corner of our watershed this summer. This year, CVC in concert with the Town of Caledon, Region of Peel and Town of Erin, initiated a study of Shaws Creek subwatershed. By gaining a better understanding of the resources and functions of the creek and its drainage area, the study will ultimately help guide planning for future landuse decisions while maintaining the needs of the natural environment. Intensive field work has already begun as part of the first phase in the study.

In addition to the technical work being undertaken by staff, CVC is engaging the community within the subwatershed through communication and outreach efforts. On June 15, CVC made a visit to Alton Public School. A short presentation to 130 students and teachers from Kindergarten to Grade 6 focused on what a watershed is and why we need to care for it. Students also learned about how people use the creek, both in the past and today, and changes that have taken place in Shaws Creek since the village of Alton was first settled in the 1830s. Following the presentation, students participated in building their own watershed by acting as parts of the river in their schoolyard! Classes lined up to form branches of a river and passed water down the line until it eventually made its way to a simulated lake. Now it’s the students turn to give us their perspective on their hopes for the future of Shaws Creek through an assignment in drawing or writing.

Future communication and outreach efforts for the Shaws Creek Subwatershed Study include public open houses, updates on the study communicated through CVC’s website, and a presentation at Pinnacleview Supportive Housing in Alton.

Alton public school children act as branches of a river passing water down to a simulated lake.

Every year, the Canadian Urban Institute recognizes individuals and organizations who through their leadership and vision have made a significant impact on the quality of life in urban areas across Canada and around the world.

Natalie Helferty receives recognition for her achievements from CVC's Chair, Pat Mullin

On May 24th Ontario's Greenbelt Task Force, of which Natalie Helferty, CVC’s Terrestrial biologist is a member, was awarded the City Initiatives Award at the annual Canadian Urban Institute Leadership Awards.

Ontario’s Greenbelt Task Force received the award in recognition of the group's innovation and inspiration in helping to preserve Ontario greenspace and build stronger communities.

"Ontario's Greenbelt Task Force was instrumental in helping our government craft the Greenbelt Act and Greenbelt Plan," said Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing John Gerretsen. "Their hard work and commitment helped create a legacy of protected greenspace, agricultural land, environmental areas, recreation and resource lands in the Golden Horseshoe."

Greenbelt Task Force members represented a broad base of expert and community members dedicated to the environment and protecting Greenspace around the Golden Horseshoe. In addition to Natalie, the task force members included, among others: Rob MacIsaac, the Mayor of Burlington (chair), Professor Michael Bunce, Jim Faught, former Executive Director of the Federation of Ontario Naturalists, Fraser Nelson from the Urban Development Institute, and Russ Powell CAO of Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority.

Congratulations Natalie!

Conservation planning with a landowner.

“It feels like I have my own private conservation area,” and “I learned about features on my property I never knew existed!” are some of the common sentiments gleaned from a recent survey of landowners who have had conservation plans done on their property over the past couple of years. Many landowners expressed how beneficial the plans were as a means of obtaining feedback and gaining a greater understanding of their property. The planning process built up the already considerable pride and sense of stewardship that these landowners experienced “I was very interested in learning about the plants and animals on my property. I want to manage it properly so I can pass it on to my grandchildren.” Both the process and the end product allowed landowners to focus on long term visions for their property. “The end result yields more than expected. I found the reports, the booklets, and information of real value to my efforts.”

CVC’s Conservation Planning program fosters good land stewardship throughout the Credit River watershed. The program is available for landowners who wish to know more about their land and to develop a long-term plan for its management. CVC’s stewardship team will meet you to discuss your goals and survey your property. With your goals in mind, the team will draw up a conservation plan that will provide key management recommendations tailored to maintaining and improving your property’s natural assets. The program is financially supported and landowners pay only $300 for enrollment. For more information or to arrange a site visit, contact Dave Beaton, Community Stewardship Specialist or Alison Qua-Enoo, Conservation Planning Assistant at Credit Valley Conservation, (905) 670-1615 or 1-800 668-5557.