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The Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority Banks On RBC
RBC Donates $5,000 in support of Blue Water Project
July 12, 2010 Chatham
RBC has selected the
Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority to receive a grant
for $5,000 in support of its water program. RBC’s Blue Water
Project is a 10-year, $50 million commitment to support
organizations that protect watersheds and provide access to
clean drinking water. This donation will
support the Chatham-Kent Children's Water Festival, an
educational
Cheque Presentation: Left to right: Don Hector - Chair Chatham-Kent-Lambton Children's Water Festival, Tonya Gifford - Community Manager RBC, Bonnie Carey - Community Relations Coordinator LTVCA
For more information:
Carey Carolinian Arboretum and Trail Officially Opened
Longwoods Road Conservation Area opens new education feature
June 20, 2010 Strathroy-Caradoc
June 20, 2010 was the Official Opening of the unique Carey
Carolinian Arboretum and Trail.
As a result
of a very generous donation valued over $26,000 from Lewis
Stafford Carey MD in 2008, a new Carolinian arboretum and trail
is “growing” at Longwoods Road Conservation Area, just west of
Cheque Presentation: Left to right: Susan Carey,
Jerry Campbell –
Carey Carolinian Arboretum and Trail Ribbon Cutting: Left
to right: Peter Snow – President – Lower Thames Valley
Conservation Foundation, Mark Carey, Richard Carey, David Carey
and baby Serena, Susan Carey, and John Carey.
The late
Dr. Lewis Carey
presented his “vision of a Carolinian arboretum” to the
The
Carolinian Life Zone, is a region rich in rare and unusual plant
and animal species found nowhere else in
With
Taking his wishes into consideration, the Carey Carolinian Trail
and Arboretum is now “growing”.
An existing trail system at Longwoods has
been modified with a new extension blazed, and resurfacing has
created a beautiful, winding, wheelchair accessible trail.
Nesting boxes for Carolinian birds and mammals have been placed
along the trail. Nearby, an open area beside our 3
heritage log cabins showcases flowering tree species.
Arboretum signs accompany 42 species of Carolinian trees and
shrubs, providing the scientific names of the species, unique
features, and their historical and present day importance to the
residents of the
The Carolinian
species of mature trees, large stock trees and seedlings which
are growing along the trail system and plaqued are:
·
Basswood
·
Beech
·
Birch, Yellow
·
Bladdernut
·
Black Walnut
·
Blue-beech
·
Burning Bush or Wahoo
·
Butternut
·
Buttonbush
·
·
Cherry, Black
·
Chestnut
·
·
Cucumbertree
·
Dogwood, Flowering
·
Dogwood, Pagoda
·
Eastern White Cedar
·
Elm, Slippery
·
Hackberry, Northern
·
Hawthorns
·
·
·
Hop-hornbeam
·
·
Maple, Sugar
·
Maple, Red
·
Maple-leaf Viburnum
·
Nannyberry
·
Oak, Red
·
Oak, Swamp White
·
Oak, White
·
Pawpaw
·
Redbud
·
Sassafras
·
Serviceberry .
·
Spicebush or Benjamin Bush
·
Sumac, Staghorn
·
Sycamore
·
Tuliptree
·
Witch-hazel
·
White Ash
Carey
Carolinian Arboretum and Trail Project phases included:
·
Survey of native and non-native
trees - complete
·
Design trail layout - complete
·
Assessment of risk - complete /
ongoing
·
Removal of hazard trees near trail
- complete / ongoing
·
Resurface existing trail and blaze
new trail section - complete
·
Order and plant new Carolinian
trees and shrubs - complete
·
Control of non-native tree and
plant species - ongoing
·
Carey Carolinian Trail and
Arboretum brochure - complete
·
Arboretum interpretive plaques -
complete
·
Official opening – June 20, 2010
·
Construct information kiosk –
future
Partnering organizations
assisting with this project so far include:
·
·
·
TD Canada Trust Friends of the
Environment Foundation (Lambton Chapter) – brochure funding
·
Katimavik – planted Carolinian 450
seedlings in May 2009
·
Employment
·
Trail development was undertaken
by Mark and Earl Livermore.
Private donors
supporting this project so far include:
·
The late Dr. Lewis
·
Dr. Hugh Allen
·
Grant and Barbara Baxter
·
Dr. Douglas Bocking
·
Mark Carey
·
Richard and Bonnie Carey
·
William Carey
·
T. Brayl Copp
·
Rita Davis
·
Lea Ducharme
·
Dr. Edward Dundas
·
Shirley Fricke
·
Bruce Groves - Bank of
·
Hatherell Carey LLP
·
Dr. Linda Hutton
·
Mary Ellen Kirk
·
Dr. Liliane Le Saux and Bill
Warmels
·
Sherrill and Earl Livermore
·
Doug and Mary MacKenzie
·
Jackie McComb and George Deblock
·
Dr. Jeffrey A. Nisker
·
Lynne Page
·
Dr. and Mrs. David Pressey
·
Sharon Riley
·
·
The
·
Marg and Peter Warmels
For more information:
8348 Longwoods Road, Middlesex County Road 2, 6.5 km west of Delaware, ON. Phone: (519) 264-2420.
Scribendi Founders Donate to Community Greening Initiative
May 22, 2009
Local online business owners, Terence Johnson and
Chandra Clarke are helping to "green-up" Chatham-Kent with a $1,000
donation to the Chatham-Kent Greening Initiative Project. The
donation took place on Friday, May 22, outside the Lower Thames
Conservation Authority Office in Chatham.
For more information see the Scribendi media release or Chatham-Kent Daily Post.
Strathroy Katimavik Group Helps Plant Local Carolinian Trail and Arboretum at Longwoods Road Conservation Area
May 19, 2009 Strathroy-Caradoc
Today the Strathroy Katimavik participants will be planting over 400 Carolinian seedlings along side the Carey Carolinian Trail and Arboretum. As a result of a generous donation from Lewis Stafford Carey MD in 2008, a new Carolinian trail and arboretum is “growing” at Longwoods Road Conservation Area, just west of London in the Municipality of Strathroy-Caradoc.
[Katimavik is a national volunteer service organization that aims to empower youth to make a significant contribution to local communities and participate in nation-building while fostering their personal and professional development through a challenging youth-volunteer, leadership and service-learning program. Katimavik objectives are: - To contribute substantially to the personal, social and professional development of the participants. - To promote community service. - To offer a diverse experience fostering a better understanding of the Canadian reality. Facts: - Since 1977, Katimavik has enabled nearly 28,000 Canadians to be involved in more than 2,000 communities throughout the country. - Approximately 1,000 youths participate in the program each year. - There are 99 communities hosting Katimavik groups this year. - Katimavik partners with more than 700 community non-profit organizations each year.
Ska-Nah-Doht Village and Museum 35 Years and Still Standing… a new logo, a new name, a new era begins again
April 6 , 2009After 35 years, a new logo has been created for Ska-Nah-Doht by Ian Bullock, a Multi-Media Design student who was hired through a Young Canada Works in Heritage Grant 2008/09. Ian was inspired by the legends and beadwork designs of the Haudenosaunee or “People of the Longhouse”. It is this First Nations culture that Ska-Nah-Doht represents in its recreated village and educational programs. The former logo served us well. The stylized section of palisade designed by Jack Roper in 1970 will be retired and the new logo will be phased in as soon as practical.
What Does the New Logo Mean? The white pine draws from the iconic “Tree of Peace” which traditionally represents the coming together of all the Haudenosaunee nations to inspire each other through reasoning and spiritual means. At Ska-Nah-Doht we also encourage a coming together in an open exchange of ideas and knowledge with open hearts and open minds. The two corn husk dolls symbolize the balance and harmony of nature. As an agricultural society, corn denotes an important nourishment of life for the longhouse. A popular Haudenosaunee legend features corn as one of the Three Sisters along with squash and beans. Corn was valued as food, medicine and a versatile material to make everyday items such as mats, baskets and dolls.The overall stylization is based on the celestial bead work designs of the Haudenosaunee people. New Name for New Era Along with the new logo, the decision was made to drop the word “Iroquoian” from the official name of the village. Ska-Nah-Doht is from the Oneida word Ska na: tote’ it means “a village stands again”. Curator, Karen Mattila says “keeping Ska-Nah-Doht is the most important and recognized part of the name. It is an exciting time with the new logo and modified name. This change will launch us into a new era. We anticipate more visitors will take notice and it will generate renewed interest in the museum. We hope people will ask us about it.”A second version of the logo was also designed by Ian Bullock. Look for it at in the museum and around the village at Longwoods as directional signage. For more information: Contact us at 519-264-2420 or visit our website www.lowerthames-conservation.on.ca/Ska-Nah-Doht.
Ska-Nah-Doht Village and Museum is located in the beautiful surrounding of Longwoods Road Conservation Area, 8348 Longwoods Road (Middlesex County Rd. 2), Mount Brydges, Ontario.
Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority - River and Creek Safety Program
March 30, 2009
During March the Lower Thames Valley Conservation
Authority’s River and Creek Safety Program was delivered to 11 classes
of Grade 2 students in Middlesex and Elgin County west of London. This
interactive program, which encourages participants to learn the
importance of water safety in late winter and early spring (during high
water events and ice/snow melt) reached 219 students this year. Students
partook in a one-hour program where they: viewed a PowerPoint show
outlining safety tips/procedures and safe/unsafe behaviour around water
and ice; discussed/tried out proper use/fitting of Personal Flotation
Devices (PFD’s); discussed and role-played what to do/expect if they
fell in the ice; were introduced to self-rescue strategies and how to
deal with ice-cold water; and were given an Activity Booklet to review
and reinforce the safety concepts. For further information about how you can participate, contact: Jerry De Zwart, Conservation Education Technician Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority Phone: (519) 264-2420
Organized Youth Groups Camp at Longwoods Road Conservation Area
Scouts, Guides and Conservation Groups “Step Into Nature”!
March 18, 2009 Mount Brydges Spring has sprung and it’s time to air out those tents and sleeping bags for another camping season! Get out and enjoy nature without having to go too far from home! If you’re looking for a place where you can appreciate nature, get some exercise and learn about our environment, there’s an adventure waiting for you! Camping for organized youth groups is available year round at beautiful Longwoods Road Conservation Area and Ska-Nah-Doht Village and Museum, located just 30 minutes west of London and 60 minutes east of Chatham. Hydro, firewood, picnic tables and water are available at three large camp grounds. Each area accommodates up to 100 campers and serviced washrooms are within easy walking distance (operational May – October, no showers). Group camping may be combined with Native Studies or Conservation Workshops for a complete weekend outing! Programs are 1 to 2 hours in length. Why not combine 2 or more for a full day of educational fun! Workshops are designed to augment badge work. (See link to Group Programs brochure) http://www.lowerthames-conservation.on.ca/Publications/GroupFacilitiesPrograms.pdf Rates for group camping are a bargain at $20 per night plus $2 per person per night. Other fees apply for firewood and hydro services. Workshops are $5.50 per person with a minimum fee per group applicable. Ideal for large picnics and barbecues, a picnic pavilion can be rented for your group, a family reunion, outdoor wedding or company event at Longwoods. Equipped with wood barbecue, hydro, water and picnic tables, this open air shelter accommodates up to 150 people. Toss horseshoes, enjoy the baseball diamond or bring games for the large playing field. The pavilion rents for $35 per day during our high season or $60 per day in the off season. A general admission may apply depending on the time of year. There are also opportunities for groups to engage in community volunteer projects at Longwoods. We have lots of jobs that need your help! Special populations, church groups and seniors are encouraged to participate in projects designed for them. Other features at Longwoods include: · 63 hectares (155 acres) of Carolinian forests, meadows, wetlands · 6 km (3.6 miles) of hiking trails · annual public weekend events · a souvenir gift shop · 3 heritage log cabins · wetland boardwalks and suspension bridge · bird and wildlife watching · wheelchair accessible trails and buildings · school programs for Conservation and Native studies · parking for vehicles and buses · 30 minutes to major city centre with accommodation and restaurants
Longwoods Road Conservation Area is located in the Municipality of Strathroy-Caradoc at 8348 Longwoods Road (Middlesex County Road 2), 6.5 km west of Delaware or 10 km east of Melbourne. It is owned and operated by the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority.
For further information or to book a campout, pavillion or other program, please contact: Agnes Vriends – Clerk/Secretary, Monday – Friday between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m Longwoods Road Conservation Area - Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority Phone: (519) 264-2420 Email: lowerthames@odyssey.on.ca In-Class River Safety Program Receives Community Support
Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority Reminds Youngsters to be Safe Around Rivers and Creeks
March 3, 2009 During the month of March, the River and Creek Safety Program (RCSP) will be delivered to 11 classrooms in Southwest Middlesex, Southwold, Middlesex Centre, Strathroy-Caradoc and West Elgin. The Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority (LTVCA) thanks the six watershed service clubs who have supported the RCSP in their region. These service clubs include Glencoe District Lions Club, Optimist Club of West Lorne, Rodney Lions Club, Delaware Lions Club, Royal Canadian Legion Caradoc Branch 251 and Royal Canadian Legion Delaware Branch 598. Service club contributions will allow the LTVCA to deliver the RCSP free-of-charge to Grade 2 classrooms throughout the aforementioned municipalities. (The Chatham-Kent Children’s Safety Village delivers our program to grade 1 students in the Municipality of Chatham-Kent). The RCSP is designed specifically for Grade 2 students and offers a variety of interactive activities focusing on river systems and the dangers around waterways, as well as ice and boating safety. It is presented during the time of greatest danger. Rivers, lakes, ponds and streams can put children at risk anytime of year, but in winter the water is cold, the banks are slippery and the ice is beginning to melt. Teachers feel this program is important for enhancing child awareness to the dangers water and ice can pose. Teachers consider this program “a worthwhile project filled with many hands-on opportunities for the students”. Are you concerned about students in your local school? Then contact a local service club and ask them to sponsor a Grade 2 class in your area for the year 2010. Each donation of $100 will enable LTVCA staff to “stream-proof”, as many as 30 students and a tax receipt will be given for every donation. Contributions are payable to the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority, 100 Thames Street; Chatham, Ontario; N7L 2Y8.
For further information about how you can participate, contact: Jerry De Zwart, Conservation Education Technician Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority Phone: (519) 264-2420
2009 Calendar Release "An Element of Life" - First Nations and Water
January 12, 2009 Strathroy-Caradoc: The Thames-Sydenham & Region Source Protection Region incorporates the Lower Thames Valley, Upper Thames River and St. Clair Region Conservation Authorities as well as eight unique First Nations in southwestern Ontario: Aamjiwnaang; Bkejwanong Territory (Walpole Island First Nation); Caldwell First Nation; Chippewas of Kettle & Stony Point; Chippewas of the Thames; Delaware Nation; Munsee-Delaware and Oneida Nation of the Thames. In recognition of these First Nations, this Source Protection Region and Ontario have provided the financial assistance to create the “First Nations & Water 2009 calendar.” Various First Nations have provided dates of special events within their communities for the up coming year and welcome everyone to partake in these traditional gatherings, competition pow wows, cultural celebrations and other events of historical significance. The calendars will be distributed throughout the region to the area First Nation administration offices; municipal offices, head offices of the Lower Thames Valley, Upper Thames River and St. Clair Region Conservation Authorities, Ska-Nah-Doht Village and Museum and are available from Derekica Snake, First Nations Liaison/Source Protection Technician at the Longwoods Road Conservation Area. The calendars explain the value of Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge (ATK); that it is a wealth of historic and ‘living’ knowledge of the connections between all the elements of the environment including water and how people can interact within it. The four Elements of Life include: Water-our blood; Air-our breath; Earth-our body, and Fire-our spirit. Each component is important and all must interact seamlessly together to provide a harmonious and therefore, long existence. Western society now is seeing the benefits of living in harmony with nature. Each First Nation has their own traditions, beliefs and policies which combine into a substantial legacy for southwestern Ontario.
“All life depends on water to live. Water is one of the four sacred elements of life. In the Ojibway tradition the women looked after the water and the men looked after the fire. This was the balance of nature. Water is a life force that has the ability to put out a fire so it is therefore, a stronger sacred element of life and all Nations lived by this relationship. Everything in the Natural World is alive; and that we humans, are related to everything. Everything is related and we depend on the River in order to live. Grandmother Moon shows her face every 28 days and when she does the water from the bottom of the river, lakes, oceans goes to the surface and the water on the surface goes down to the bottom so that the water is purified. That is one of the sacred instructions of Grandmother Moon. She is still following her sacred instruction by purifying the water.” – Dan Smoke Source Water Facts: When water supplies run low or dry from overuse, communities are forced to find new sources of water. The result can be drilling more and deeper wells, withdrawing more water from natural waterbodies or, in some areas, creating dams and reservoirs. Invasive solutions such as these can stress the environment by altering natural ecosystems, depleting aquifers and depleting or altering the wetlands that supply and replenish our water. The more water you use, the more energy it takes to treat, deliver and possibly heat that water. Conserving water saves money! Not only will your water bill go down if you conserve water, but as you heat less water, your gas or electricity will also decline. Cleaning water uses a lot of resources. It is much easier and cheaper to keep water clean than it is to clean it up. By conserving water you ease the burden on wastewater treatment plants – the less water you send down the drain, the less work these plants have to do to make water clean again. Wise water use stretches our water resource and can help avoid seasons and long-term water shortages. Protecting and conserving water is a shared responsibility, and each of us can do our part to take action for clean water. For further information or to receive a calendar contact: Derekica Snake, First Nations Liaison/Source Protection Technician Longwoods Road Conservation Area Tel. (519)264-2420 E-mail: snaked@thamesriver.on.ca www.sourcewaterprotection.on.ca – Thames-Sydenham & Region Source Protection Regionwww.ontario.ca/cleanwater - Ontario Clean Water Act
Federal Government Announces National "Don't Move Firewood" Campaign The Government of Canada is launching a "Don't Move Firewood" campaign to limit the spread of invasive species by vacationing Canadians this summer. The announcement was made by Bev Shipley Member of Parliament for Lambton-Kent-Middlesex on behalf of Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz today. "Most people don't know that moving a simple piece of firewood could threaten and destroy thousands, even millions, of trees," said Mr Shipley. "We all have a responsibility to protect Canada's beautiful forests so the message is clear: buy wood locally, burn it on site and never bring it back home." Invasive alien species are plants, animals, aquatic life and micro-organisms that spread and cause serious and often irreversible damage to Canada's ecosystems, economy and society. Invasive species create an imbalance in nature by using up the resources that native species need to survive. Like a ripple in a pond, the impact of one invasive species is far-reaching and can cause widespread damage to Canada. The destruction of our forests affects us in more ways than we imagine. Workers who depend on the lumber industry can lose their livelihoods; animals and birds can lose their habitat; and our environment can lose the cleaning power forests provide for the air we all breathe. Once an invasive species like the emerald ash borer establishes itself, it is nearly impossible to eradicate. But by making sure these invasive species don't spread, everyone can keep the damage to a minimum. The solution is easy: leave your firewood at home and buy locally instead. For more information visit the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's website http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/for/prod/firee.shtml You can also call the CFIA at 1-800-442-2342 (TTY 1-800-465-7735). Ontarians Encouraged To Step Into Nature Visit one of Ontario’s Conservation Areas listed in the newly published Your Guide to Ontario’s Conservation Areas! People across Ontario can stay close to home, yet still Step Into Nature by visiting one of Ontario’s Conservation Areas listed in the newly published Your Guide to Ontario’s Conservation Areas. In conjunction with Conservation Ontario, Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority is pleased to announce the release of Your Guide to Conservation Areas in Ontario which highlights more than 250 of Ontario’s top Conservation Areas – natural areas that feature a variety of all-season outdoor activities. This easy-to-read, 64-page, full-colour guidebook includes maps to help people locate Conservation Areas, charts that list activities available, unique features, contact information and, in addition, highlights some unique aspects of Ontario’s Conservation Areas and the important work of the Conservation Authorities who own and operate them. You can also find the information online at www.ontarioconservationareas.ca - a new website created by Conservation Ontario. Keeping active and healthy is easy for families at Conservation Areas. Most Conservation Areas are close to urban centres and offer year-round activities such as hiking, fishing, camping, swimming, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Some Conservation Areas even offer more extreme activities such as snowboarding and rock climbing. “Experiencing nature is often the first step to learning about our environment,” said Don Pearson, General Manager of Conservation Ontario – the association that represents the province’s 36 Conservation Authorities. Each year approximately 400,000 students from across Ontario participate in Conservation Authority outdoor education programs located at a variety Conservation Areas. “It’s all part of what Conservation Authorities have been doing for over 50 years,” said Pearson. Close to home and across the province, Ontario’s 36 Conservation Authorities collectively own and operate almost 400 conservation areas with a total area of 58,400 hectares for people to explore and enjoy. These Conservation Areas play an important environmental, educational and recreational role in Ontario and contribute to the physical and mental wellbeing of the more than 4.5 million Ontarians who visit them each year. To get your copy of Your Guide to Conservation Areas in Ontario please contact Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority at (519) 354-7310 or (519) 264-2420. Contact Information: Tina Kilbourne, Communications Conservation Ontario P.O. Box 11 120 Bayview Parkway, Newmarket, ON L3Y 4W3 Phone: (905) 895-0716 Ext 233 tkilbourne@conservationontario.ca
Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority 100 Thames Street, Chatham, ON N7L 2Y8 "Save the Cabins" Trillium Grant Program is Complete
"Save the Cabins" was a fund raising program to raise $75,000 over 6 months to preserve three cabins with significant heritage value by placing them on concrete foundations and replacing rotted timbers. The cabins can be visited at the Longwood Road Conservation Area.
Special Thanks you to our partners in this project
Acres Masonry - Rick Acres Architectural Conservancy of Ontario - John Rutledge Brian King City of London Continental Building Movers Ltd. - Murray Abra Dawn Willoughby Delaware Saw Mill Family Donors of the Cabins - The Georges (Oneida of the Thames First Nation) Family Donors of the Cabins - The Dolsons (Muncee-Delaware First Nation) Family Donors of the Cabins - The Miskokomons (Chippewas of the Thames First Nations) Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority Directors and Staff Lower Thames Valley Conservation Foundation Directors and Members Municipality of Strathroy-Caradoc, Ontario Trillium Foundation - Thames Valley Rob McKinlay Santarelli Engineering Services Sherri Flegel and the Upper Thames Military Re-enactment Society.
However, we are still trying to raise $14,000 from corporate and private donors for wheelchair ramps for each of the 3 cabins and for roof canopies over each of the 3 exterior staircases.
Contact Information: Bonnie Carey Community Relations Coordinator Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority (519) 264-2420 www.lowerthames-conservation.on.ca
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