Catfish Creek Conservation Authority

All CCCA Trails Remain Open The Province of Ontario has declared a second provincial emergency to address covid-19. Effective today, (Thursday, January 14, 2021at 12:01 a.m.), the government issued a stay-at-home order requiring everyone to remain at home with exceptions for permitted purposes or activities, such as going to the grocery store or pharmacy, accessing health care services, for exercise or for work where the work cannot be done remotely. You can find more inform...ation here: https://news.ontario.ca/.../ontario-declares-second... Enhancing Public Health and Workplace Safety Measures in the Provincewide Shutdown https://www.ontario.ca/.../enhancing-public-health-and... Therefore, our properties remain open to the public for trail access ONLY (no facilities, playgrounds, or pond activities available). TRAIL ETIQUETTE: -If possible, stay at home! -Schedule your trail use to avoid times of high use -Maintain your physical distance of a minimum of 2 metres -No group interaction -Maximum outdoor social gatherings 5 people -Single file activity only -Wear a mask outdoors if you cannot social distance 2 metres -When passing people, step as far to the side as possible and pass on the left -Respect other users -Keep all pets ON A LEASH and pick up after your pet (take all waste WITH YOU) -Remove all your litter and pet litter from the conservation area there are no garbage cans on site -Abide by all Conservation Area Regulations ALL PUBLIC WASHROOMS IN CONSERVATION AREAS ARE CLOSED:

Important Notice for the CCCA Admin Centre: The CCCA Admin Centre will remain closed to the public until further notice. The staff is still accessible via their emails that can be found here: https://www.catfishcreek.ca/about-us/staff-directory/ All trails remain open at this time.... Thank you for your understanding.

It's a good day to be a goose Have you gone for a drive along Lake Erie? There are some amazing ice structures and scenes to see (however, stay OFF ice)! : pictures by our own Tony Difazio (Resource Planning Coordinator)

Effective immediately, the Catfish Creek Conservation Authority (CCCA) is issuing a Watershed Condition Statement for the shoreline of Lake Erie within CCCA’s administrative boundary. A Gale Warning for Lake Erie has been issued by Government of Canada, Marine Forecast and Warnings on Thursday February 4, 2021 at 03:00 a.m. The possibility exists for damaging winds through today, tonight and Friday morning along the Lake Erie North Shore. Read the Full Statement Here: https://bit.ly/2YJi6er

Victor IS a celebrity!! Congrats and thank you again, Victor!! So well deserved.

Today is #WorldWetlandsDay!! Wetlands are a host of many ecological benefits, as well as benefits for our mental and physical health. However, wetlands are one of the most at-risk ecosystems in southwestern Ontario (at the time of European settlement 26% of the land in the Carolinian Life Zone was covered in wetlands, now only 5% is covered by wetlands). However, there is a lot we can do and learn about our wetlands. We love our wetlands so much here at the CCCA that if you a...sk, we will help you implement them onto your property! Here are some amazing facts and stats about our wetlands: 1. Wetlands function as natural sponges that trap and slowly release surface water, rain, snowmelt, groundwater, and floodwaters. Trees, root mats, and other wetland vegetation also slow the speeds of floodwaters and distribute them more slowly over the floodplain. 2. Wetlands regulate temperature, reduce the heat-island effect, slow the impacts of droughts and reduce flood and erosion risks and negative impacts on water quality. 3. Wetland plants absorb pollutants, improving water quality while also providing vital habitat for frogs, reptiles, and insects. 4. Over 20% of Ontario’s Species at Risk are directly dependent on wetland habitats. Wetlands act as spawning grounds for many fish species and offer great nesting, foraging, and concealment opportunities for wildlife. 5. Wetlands provide many opportunities for nature appreciation and access to participate in popular activities such as birdwatching, wildlife photography, and education events on the cultural significance of our connection to land and water. The CCCA with the TVDSB and the Elgin Stewardship Council puts on one of the biggest wetland festivals in southwestern Ontario, Marsh Quest. To learn and see more, check out the video in the comment section below. DYK Ontario’s Conservation Authorities own and protect over 44,000 hectares of wetlands! If you want to know more about wetland restoration and creation, contact Tony at [email protected]

The Catfish Creek Conservation Authority (CCCA), is looking to update the Springwater Management Plan to guide development and operations over the next 20 years. We want to know your input on the plan and Springwater! Please complete the short survey below (it should take you no more than 5-10 minutes). https://forms.gle/PPXDkiRDZm6yT1rh7 EDIT: For more information on the Draft Springwater Master Plan, visit https://www.catfishcreek.ca/about-us/publications/... Thank you, CCCA Staff