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LTVCA’s 50th Anniversary Highlighted in Perspective Chatham-Kent 2011June 13, 2011 “The publisher worked with the Chatham-Kent Economic Development Services’ Department and key businesses and community leaders to create the inaugural edition of Perspective Chatham-Kent, a supplement to The Globe and Mail. The focus is business-to-business, demonstrating in a very positive light the benefits of living, working and doing business in the region. They do this by profiling key economic sectors, positive anecdotal stories about unique individuals and companies, as well as highlighting the quality of life characteristics that make up the fabric of this great region. Working closely with the Economic Development team, they received editorial content to aid in telling the stories of Chatham-Kent.” See the full article about the LTVCA here. Perspective Chatham-Kent 2011
Celebrating 50 Years of ConservationLower Thames Valley Conservation Authority, 1961 - 2011February 12, 2011 50 years ago today in 1961, the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority (LTVCA) was established, in partnership between the Province of Ontario and the local municipalities, which acted as a local agency for flood control and flood warning along the lower Thames River. Over the past five decades, the vision of this watershed based partner has been challenging and fulfilling, as we worked with our local communities, providing services and information to efficiently protect and enhance the environment for present and future generations. The LTVCA is now one of 36 Conservation Authorities in the Province of Ontario. Our area of jurisdiction, the lower watershed of the Thames River, covers 3,275 square km (1,264 square mi) in southwestern Ontario spanning parts of the counties of Essex, Middlesex and Elgin. Home to 109,709 people, its 10 member municipalities include Chatham-Kent, Lakeshore, Leamington, Dutton-Dunwich, West Elgin, Southwest Middlesex, Strathroy-Caradoc, Southwold, Middlesex Centre and London. For 50 years, our Conservation Authority has taken the lead to deliver services and programs across the lower Thames watershed and region to protect and manage water and other natural resources in partnership with government, landowners and other organizations. As a result of our Conservation Authoritys activities, lives and property are protected, natural habitats are conserved and restored, and research and monitoring of the environment are priority. Local conservation areas and outreach and education programs provide opportunities to enjoy, learn and respect the environment. We have taken great strides towards improving the health of the environment and protecting residents from natural hazards across the lower Thames watershed and region over the past 50 years. Our Directors and staff of the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority are very proud of these achievements but realize there is much more that can be done to improve the quality of life for all watershed residents in the years to come. At our Annual General Meeting on February 24th, we will highlight our 50th Years of Conservation. Public events to recognize our 50th will be held throughout the year across the watershed, and will include bus tours, and special tree plantings. We hope to see you at one of these in 2011!
50 Years of Conservation Our History
The early beginnings of the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority reflected the need for a coordinated effort to manage natural resources on a watershed basis. Some of the key milestones and achievements have been captured below to highlight each decade of the LTVCAs challenging history:
1960s
1970s
1980s
1990s
2000s
Where We Are in 2011
For more information, please contact: Jerry Campbell, General Manager/Secretary-Treasurer OR Jack Robertson, Water Management Supervisor
Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority 100 Thames Street, Chatham, On N7L 2Y8 Tel: 519-354-7310 Fax: 519-352-3435
Carey Carolinian Arboretum and Trail Officially OpenedLongwoods 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 London in the Municipality of Strathroy-Caradoc. On June 20, 2010, the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority and the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Foundation recognized and celebrated with the Carey Family, all project partners and donors. Approximately 70 guests attended the event. In addition, the Carey Family presented a $5,000 cheque from the estate of their father at the official opening followed by the official ribbon cutting.
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 Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority and Lower Thames Valley Conservation Foundation in 2006. He was inspired by a book on Carolinian forests upon his return to London, Ontario in the early 70s. Dr. Carey was aware of our areas First Nations pre-history and how it was being depicted at the Ska-Nah-Doht Village and Museum at Longwoods. This prompted him to support a project to emphasize the connection between the precious Carolinian forest habitat and the local people. The Carolinian Life Zone, is a region rich in rare and unusual plant and animal species found nowhere else in Canada. Longwoods is located within this region. The Carey Carolinian Trail and Arboretum will increase environmental awareness about Carolinian species and serve as an ecological classroom. It will be a living botanical museum of Carolinian ecology for today, as well as a lasting legacy for present and future generations. These trees and plants will be important seed producers for years to come.
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 Thames River watershed. 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 Canada Plum Cherry, Black Chestnut Cottonwood, Eastern Cucumbertree Dogwood, Flowering Dogwood, Pagoda Eastern White Cedar Elm, Slippery Hackberry, Northern Hawthorns Hickory, Bitternut Hickory, Shagbark Hop-hornbeam Kentucky Coffeetree 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:Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority project management Lower Thames Valley Conservation Foundation project support TD Canada Trust Friends of the Environment Foundation (Lambton Chapter) brochure funding Katimavik planted Carolinian 450 seedlings in May 2009 Employment Ontario - labour Trail development was undertaken by Mark and Earl Livermore.
Private donors supporting this project so far include:The late Dr. Lewis Stafford Carey 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 Montreal 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 Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry - Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology The University of Western Ontario - Human Resources Marg and Peter Warmels
For more information: Longwoods Road Conservation Area 8348 Longwoods Road, Middlesex County Road 2, 6.5 km west of Delaware, ON. Phone: (519) 264-2420.
Strathroy Katimavik Group Helps Plant Local Carolinian Trail and Arboretumat 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.
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With London expanding towards Longwoods, Dr. Carey felt that the Carolinian arboretum and trail project would have a good audience of adults and children visiting the property and present a huge marketing opportunity for the conservation
