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Take Action

Actions you (the individual) can take to implement

Here are just some of the ways people like you can help to improve your property and your watershed community:

  • Plant a tree … or several trees
  • Decommission unused wells
  • Have your septic system inspected, pumped out regularly, and upgraded as necessary
  • Volunteer on a trail or watershed committee
  • Visit a conservation area to experience nature or learn about watershed issues
  • Donate to local trails and conservation efforts
  • Consult Ausable Bayfield Conservation about grants or technical expertise for your beneficial projects
  • Participate in a conservation education program
  • Create a wetland with technical help from Ausable Bayfield Conservation
  • Implement an Environmental Farm Plan
  • Consult a stewardship guide to improve your home, farm, business, or municipality
  • Be a citizen ambassador: set a positive example
  • Create a local initiative of your own

Actions your community can take to implement

Here are just some of the ways local communities and groups, made up of landowners and residents like you, are working to create healthier watersheds:

  • Creating and implementing plans to protect local watersheds
  • Finding new ways to protect local water quality
  • Conserving water supplies through the Water Response Team
  • Restoring fish habitat
  • Providing opportunities to experience nature through accessible trails
  • Sponsoring and publishing water quality testing of Lake Huron beaches and other watercourses
  • Protecting water near sinkholes and other areas where water is highly susceptible to contamination
  • Taking part in conservation education programs
  • Management committees for conservation areas, museums
  • Community groups supporting local trails
  • Working groups
  • Local watershed plan steering committees

Actions Ausable Bayfield Conservation can take to implement

These are just some of the examples of positive actions that can be taken by Ausable Bayfield Conservation, working with the public and partners, to create healthier watersheds:

  • Continue tree planting program and stewardship services
  • Encourage biodiversity through creation of habitat
  • Work in partnership with the community: residents, contractors, municipalities, public
  • Collaborate and integrate programs with agencies, ministries, and other partners
  • Pursue funding programs which provide incentives for beneficial projects by watershed residents
  • Enact and enforce regulations as set out in the Conservation Authorities Act and the Regulation of Development,
  • Improve water quality and reduce flooding through effective best management practices and creation, protection, restoration and effective management of wetlands
  • Acquire conservation lands strategically in order to conserve healthy habitat, forest conditions, water quality, water quantity
  • Raise awareness of the conservation authority’s regulatory responsibilities through partnerships with planning agencies and municipalities
  • Deliver watershed-scale planning advice and technical and environmental review services for governments, municipalities and organizations as appropriate
  • Protect:
    • Water quantity through Low Water Response Team
    • Life and property through flood forecasting, warning, prevention, awareness, floodplain management and regulations
    • Areas of environmental significance
  • Create:
    • Accessible trails and conservation lands to preserve ecosystems and educate about nature
    • Recreational opportunities for healthier watersheds and healthier communities

 

 

Get Involved! To learn more about getting involved, visit our Get Involved! web page:

 

 

 

 

 

Watershed Communities – Local Watersheds in Action

Ausable Bayfield Conservation thanks the individual watershed communities of residents and partners who are planning, and taking action, to improve forest conditions and enhance and protect water quality and soil health, in their local ecological neighbourhood – their watershed.

For more information visit our 'Get Involved' page: 

To find your local watershed community, a local report card on forest conditions and water quality, and recommendations for how you can improve your ecological neighbourhood and create healthier watersheds, please go to our:

To learn about positive actions communities are taking around Lake Huron and Georgian Bay visit A Canadian Initiative for Community Action at:

Some watershed communities actively involved in local planning and action in Ausable Bayfield watersheds include:

Ausable Bayfield Watershed Communities in Action

To find out how to volunteer visit our Get Involved page. Click this link: Get Involved Web Page

Get Involved - From the Conservation Strategy:

People from the watershed community provided lots of ideas, in the Conservation Strategy. about how people can help improve their watershed.

Contact us about ways you can get involved in the protection of soil, water, and living things.

Phone us to find out about other opportunities. Contact our staff through staff contacts list.

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  • A photo of ABCA staff taking water sample in Lake Huron.
    Students learn about monitoring
    World Water Monitoring Day is held on September 18 each year to highlight work that monitors water quality. This year, Ausable Bayfield Conservation educated local students about monitoring water quality.

    2023-09-15