On Thursday, December 08, 2005, the Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA) approved budget estimates for the environmental projects and programs identified in 2006. “Our action plan and budget estimates for the coming year have been prepared using our Strategic Plan as a guide,” explained Tom Wilson, ERCA Chair. “There are many environmental improvements that need to be made locally in order to achieve a sustainable future for the Essex Region.”

Top priorities for 2006 continue to be protecting and improving water, protecting and enhancing biodiversity, protecting people and property from the dangers of flooding and erosion, conservation education and communication, and nature based recreational opportunities. With the Province of Ontario’s recent introduction of the Clean Water Act, Source Water Protection Plans continue to be at the forefront of ERCA’s attention. As well, a second Surface Water Quality Report card, and more than 100 water quality improvement projects top the list of ERCA’s 2006 projects

ERCA also plans to plant and distribute more than 190,000 trees through its forestry program, protect significant natural lands in the Spring Garden Complex and other priority locations, and will restore more than 150 acres of land to natural habitat.

ERCA has been successful in obtaining funding for a number important shoreline protection projects in the City of Windsor. In fact, the Ministry of Natural Resources made available $5 million for the provincial Water and Erosion Control Infrastructure Program. Of the total funding available for the entire province, ERCA was successful in obtaining $1.68 million, or more than 33%, for local projects, most of which are located in the City of Windsor.

As well, it is expected that the sustainable management plan for southeast Leamington will be completed in 2006, and more than 10,000 students will participate in Conservation Education and Heritage Field studies. Regional trail development and conservation areas enhancements will continue. More than 80,000 visitors explore ERCA’s conservation areas annually, especially as the population realizes the importance of healthy and active lifestyles.

Since the draft budget estimates were presented in September, ERCA has increased the number of projects it will be able to accomplish through the attraction of new funds from senior levels of government. The 2006 budget estimates for environmental protection and restoration totals $11,632,461, with a municipal levy contribution of $2,282,914. This represents a per household tax contribution of $13.32, based on a home valued at $200,000. Comparable information collected from the other 31 Conservation Authorities in Southern Ontario indicates that this is still well below the average tax rate contribution to other Conservation Authorities. In fact, in 2004, ERCA was ranked 20th out of 31 based on tax associated with municipal levy contributions. In 2005, the contribution dropped even lower, ranking ERCA with the 6th lowest tax rate based on municipal levy contribution in Southern Ontario.

“The environmental projects and programs identified for 2006 are critically important in striving to protect and restore our natural environment,” Wilson continued. “Environmental health, economic health, and the human health of our residents are unquestionably linked. As elected officials, we have a responsibility to move forward in achieving a healthy and sustainable future for this region.”

The introduction of the Clean Water Act is an important step toward ensuring safe drinking water for all Ontarians. Conservation Ontario and the Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA) are encouraged by the government’s support of source water protection planning.

“We are pleased that the government has maintained its commitment to introduce legislation this session,” said Tom Wilson, ERCA Chair. “Water is critical to all aspects of our lives. Significant attention and resources are essential to guarantee enough clean water for Ontarians now and in the future. We have an obligation to care for what we have.”

Conservation Authorities are this province’s leading watershed managers. Source Protection legislation will provide an important framework on how best to protect sources of drinking water such as rivers, lakes, streams and groundwater.

Since the tragedy at Walkerton in May 2000, Conservation Ontario and its member Authorities have worked with the province, municipalities and other stakeholders to provide expertise in developing the best approach to source water protection.

ERCA, like all Conservation Authorities, has a strong track record of success in delivering a variety of watershed management programs to improve water quality, reduce flood and erosion damages, protect natural areas and biodiversity, and provide environmental education to watershed residents. Because they are structured on a watershed basis, Conservation Authorities are able to co-ordinate and streamline local delivery of water management and source protection activities.

“Over the past year, ERCA has been collecting the technical data that will be crucial to the preparation of Source Water Protection Plan,” Wilson went on to say. “We look forward to working with our municipal partners and a broad range of stakeholders to develop plans to ensure that our drinking water is protected at its source for generations to come.”

There is only one week left to nominate someone you know who has contributed to environmental improvements in the past year! Friday, December 16, 2005 is the nomination deadline for the 2005 Conservation Awards, honouring and recognizing those in the community who have made outstanding contributions towards improving our natural environment, and ultimately the health and quality of life in the Essex Region.

“We know that there is a great deal of work to do to create a future of environmental sustainability for the region,” says Tom Wilson, Chair of the Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA), which sponsors the annual awards. “However, it is extremely important to recognize and applaud those organizations and individuals who are taking action to improve the environment that we all share.” Conservation Awards have been presented annually since 1992.

Conservation Awards will be presented to individuals and organizations in three categories: Education, Volunteerism and Environmental Achievement. Municipalities can also be nominated in the last category. The winners will be recognized during ERCA Annual General Meeting on January 19, 2005.

Nominations can be submitted online at www.erca.org. Alternatively, simply write a one page summary of the individual or organizational accomplishments that merit the receipt of the award and email it to pdarrellsmith@erca.org; or mail it to Essex Region Conservation Authority, 360 Fairview Avenue West, Suite 311, Essex, Ontario N8M 1Y6; or fax to 776-8688. Please be sure to include the category, name, address and phone number of the nominee, in addition to your own name, address and telephone number.

How often do we struggle around the holidays to identify a unique gift for those special people in our lives? At a time when material goods are at a maximum and special gift ideas are hard to come by, a Gift of the Environment is an opportunity to purchase a holiday gift for a loved one while at the same time, helping to protect our region’s most significant natural areas. As well, each gift is fully tax deductible, making this an extremely attractive gift giving option. As the year is drawing to a close, the Essex Region Conservation Foundation provides you with an opportunity to maximize your tax deductible contributions for the year.

For a donation of $40 or more, your Gift of the Environment will help protect that habitat of the Great Horned Owl, the Painted Midland Turtle, the Monarch Butterfly, or the Bullfrog. In return, you’ll be provided with an attractive 8” x 11” certificate featuring the photo and acknowledgement of the species that you have protected, along with a tax receipt.

Gifts of the Environment can be purchased by downloading the order form (Adobe pdf 75kb) and returning it with a cheque, credit card number or money order to Essex Region Conservation Foundation, 360 Fairview Avenue West, Suite 311, Essex, ON N8M 1Y6. Alternatively, you can
purchase your Gift of the Environment online Please note that all orders must be received by the Conservation Foundation by December 16, 2005 to ensure they are returned to you by December 23.

Christmas in the Country

It’s difficult to imagine Christmas without tinsel, strings of coloured lights and brightly wrapped presents. The Homestead invites you to discover holiday celebrations of an earlier time. and will be open for holiday tours the following two Sundays - December 11th and December 18th from 11am - 4pm.

John R. Park’s house is beautifully decorated with natural materials for the holidays; fresh evergreens, berries, fruits and feathers have been gathered locally and placed throughout the1842 house. There’s even a tabletop Christmas tree in the parlour and a kissing ball in the hall! Challenge your knowledge of natural materials and investigate our displays.

Upstairs in the house, children can make an old fashioned decoration to take home. Outside you can warm up with traditional treats including lambs wool (a cider beverage) and roasted chestnuts. The gift shop will be open and features a unique selection of handmade and reproduction gift items. Group tours are available seven days a week (including evening candlelight tours) by advance appointment.

A Pioneer Winter

Want to try something new with your family this winter break? After the gifts have been opened and the New Year has come and gone keep the festivities going! Join us for ‘A Pioneer Winter’ family program at the Homestead on Thursday January 5th at 1:30 p.m.. Come and spend an afternoon outside enjoying the winter season in the pioneer way! Pioneer winter games, activities and education will be the fare for the day. So, bundle up the kids and bring them out for some good old-fashioned fun!

We all have the opportunity to create a cleaner, healthier, and sustainable environment for our future. Each of us can make a minor modification to our lifestyles that cumulatively, can have a big impact on the Earth. So, what can be done to help create a sustainable future – for our children, and for theirs?

• Practice the four R’s - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Refurbish.
• Use a little less detergent or a phosphate free detergent while washing dishes.
• Fill a plastic bottle with water and drop it in the toilet water holding tank to reduce water use for each flush.

Sunday through Friday - December 1 through 21
Christmas in the Country
John R. Park Homestead
Enjoy traditional handmade decorations.
Group programs by appointment.

Saturday, February 11, 2006
John R. Park Homestead and Conservation Area
Foods of Love
The Homestead will be hosting a Valentine’s workshop presented by Culinary Historian Dorothy Duncan. The ‘Foods of Love’ workshop will inform and delight you. Learn what foods are associated with love and why - aphrodisiacs, gifts of food, symbols and more! Pre-registration is required, please phone the Homestead for more information at 738-2029.

Sunday, February 12, 2006, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
John R. Park Homestead and Conservation Area
Victorian Valentines
The Homestead will be hosting its annual Victorian Valentine’s special event from 1pm - 4pm. Learn about courtship and marriage traditions of the past. Make your own Victorian Valentine for a loved one inside the historic house. Sample some authentic Bride’s Cake made from an 1840's recipe and view love related artifacts from the nineteenth century. Get inspired with these tales of life and love from the 19th century.

Sunday, March 12, 2006, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
John R. Park Homestead and Conservation Area
Maple - First Taste of Spring
Make maple taffy in the snow, and see syrup made the pioneer way. Meet a forester. Maple products for sale.

email: admin@erca.org

phone: 519 776 5209

web: http://www.erca.org