Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority
71108 Morrison Line, RR 3 N0M 1S5 Exeter, ON, Canada

Did you know? February 2nd isn’t just Groundhog Day. It is also World Wetlands Day! To celebrate, we will post some of our wetland projects from 2020, as well as our favourite wetland memories. #RestoreWetlands #WorldWetlandsDay Learn more: https://www.abca.ca/wetlands/

Watershed Champions grants, for projects by local schools, return for fourth year for schools in Ausable Bayfield watersheds for projects to improve water quality, forest cover, watersheds. Learn more: https://www.abca.ca/post/?ID=1150

There are many reasons to plant trees in 2021. Here are ten: https://www.abca.ca/post/?ID=1149

Are you looking for a gift idea for that special someone this holiday season? A present doesn’t have to have wrapping paper, bows, and ribbons to be a gift. A local charity asks you to consider a ‘gift to nature’ this year. Learn more: https://www.abca.ca/post/?ID=1141

It’s snow shoveling season! Get out early. Clear your driveway, sidewalk. Let the sun do the rest. The more snow you shovel or snow-blow, the less salt you need: https://www.sourcewaterinfo.on.ca/about/threat-activities// #SourceWaterON #DrinkingWaterSources #WinterWednesdays

Learn about two new outdoor learning programs for 2021 for remote learners and homeschoolers: https://www.abca.ca/education/remote-learners/ Coyotes & Pups and Muskrats at Morrison Dam Conservation Area. Exploration, activities and experiments develop curriculum-based knowledge, respect for nature.

In the latest source protection e-newsletter, find out about a new video on protecting the drinking water source in the Great Lakes intake protection zone in Goderich. Read the newsletter now: http://ow.ly/uSC750D0BRW

Goderich marine industries are helping to protect the Great Lakes drinking water source in Goderich. This video shares ways industry members of the Goderich Port Management Corporation prevent contaminants from reaching Lake Huron in order to protect drinking water sources, tourism and recreation, and the local marine economy. The lake drinking water intake is the only source of raw water for the Goderich Treatment Plant. An intake protection zone (IPZ) shows where, within tw...o hours, the water is entering the intake pipe located 500 metres offshore. In Goderich, this IPZ includes the harbour. Rowland Howe is an industry representative on the Ausable Bayfield Maitland Valley Drinking Water Source Protection Committee (SPC) and he is President of Goderich Port Management Corporation. In the new video he shares some ways these marine industries prevent impacts on water in the intake protection zone. This includes spills prevention plans and Green Marine certification, an environmental certification program for the North American marine industry. The town and the port and all the users of the port are working hard to maintain the quality of the water, the drinking water, the recreation, and the aquatic environment in general, said Howe in the video. The video also describes the environmental assessment process which took place for the Goderich harbour expansion. New wharfage and an expanded loading area were created and drinking water source protection was considered to ensure there were no negative impacts to drinking water sources during or after the work. Special thanks to Fauxpop Media Inc. for use of additional footage in this video. Music by https://www.bensound.com/ See more

Oaks and Acorns is for parents/caregivers and children ages 2-4. This play and inquiry program takes place in the woods around Morrison Dam Conservation Area! Learn how to assess risk and help your child explore and deepen their relationship with nature: https://www.abca.ca/education/community/

Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) issued today, on Saturday, December 12, 2020, to watershed municipal flood coordinators, at 10 a.m., a Watershed Conditions Statement Flood Outlook and Water Safety flood message. To learn more visit: https://www.abca.ca/news/flooding/

If you use fuel oil to heat your home, and you are in a wellhead protection area, you can help reduce risk to your municipal drinking water source. Contact a qualified heating technician to inspect your system. Have your furnace and tank professionally inspected and serviced. Replace your tank if it is old or needs an upgrade. Thanks for reducing risk to our drinking water sources! #SourceWaterON #DrinkingWaterSources #WinterWednesdays

Oaks and Acorns play and inquiry program is at Lucan Conservation Area Saturday, Oct. 17 to Nov. 21 from 10 a.m to 11:30 a.m. Six weeks is $70. It is for parents/guardians/caregivers and children ages 2-5. Space is limited to 10 families. Register now: http://ow.ly/vhXa50BLchW

Mark your calendars for November! The traditional Owl Prowl is cancelled for 2020 but there is a whole month of Raptor Month activities to replace it. Learn more here: https://www.abca.ca/post/?ID=1108

Happy autumn! Read our latest newsletter ... just out! https://mailchi.mp//happy-autumn-from-ausable-bayfield-con

Here's the prize you can win with our new local Get Outdoors Bingo game! Download the bingo card PDF and find out more here: https://www.abca.ca/post/?ID=1106

Are you enjoying the autumn colours? Do you think the trees changed colours earlier or faster this year? Do you find the colours more vibrant this year? If things are different this year, why do you think so? Warmth? Rain? A September frost? We have some ideas but we don't have all the answers ... we'd love to hear what you think!

Autumn is the perfect time to get out in nature and explore the trails in your watershed. Ausable Bayfield maintains several trails you can enjoy at any time of the year. Check out close to two kilometres of trails at Bannockburn Conservation Area, near Varna (between Bayfield and Brucefield). These trails are also accessible in winter with snowshoes or cross-country skis. To learn more visit: https://www.abca.ca/conservationareas/bannockburn #healthylakehuron #landtolake #pieceofthepuzzle