THE GRAND STRATEGY NEWSLETTER Volume 14, Number 3 - May/June 2009

Grand River The Grand: Conservation A Canadian Authority Heritage River

Features Recreation history 1

Milestones National fish award 3

Look Who’s Taking Action Heritage award 4 10,000th tree 4 Earth Day photos 4 awards 5 Recreation land top priority What's Happening By Janet Baine new sport and a novelty GRCA Communications Specialist to watch. Argentine exchange 5 hile recreation areas in the Admission was not GRCA day camps 6 Wwatershed are plentiful today, in the past charged until after a SWP information kits 6 there were very few parks, trails and beautiful thunderstorm led to Successful gala 7 spots to enjoy the river and the reservoirs. unsafe conditions. The storm descended quick- Summer programs 7 As soon as the Grand River Conservation Commission started building Shand Dam, people ly and the boaters moved toward shore to Now Available wanted to see how the landscape was being trans- formed. get off the lake to stay Carolinian fact sheets 7 “Citizens who have an idle few hours would safe from lightening. At the same time, the pic- be well advised to visit the (Shand) site and see nickers moved in to get a better look at the boats. Grand Strategy The result was that boaters were unable to get off Calendar 8 the work which is going on,” suggested the Brantford Expositor in August, 1939. the lake. A small admission fee was instituted as Cover photo a way of restricting the number of visitors, so the A big attraction area would be safer during storms. When Brant Conservation Area After the dam opened in 1942 and Belwood When the commission constructed Luther opened in 1971, it was Lake was created, people flocked there. By the Dam on Black Creek in 1952 and the Conestogo jokingly referred to as late 1950s there was a boat launch, picnic pavil- Dam in 1958, visitors came to these sites too, but an “instant park.” As recreation was more of a fringe benefit than a soon as it opened, ion and wading pool. But the parking lot and 30,000 people arrived public beach access remained small. Families core responsibility of the commission. for a national would picnic at Belwood where they could watch Instead, it was left to the Grand Valley Campvention. the motor boats and water skiers. This was still a Conservation Authority, formed in 1948, to Conservation area opening: 1942- Belwood Lake 1952-Luther Marsh 1954- Elora Gorge 1955- Pinehurst Lake 1958-Conestogo Lake 1960- Byng Island 1964- Rockwood 1970- Laurel Creek 1971- Brant 1972-Shade’s Mills 1977- Elora Quarry 1979- Belwood Lake, Luther Marsh and Conestogo Lake officially became conservation areas in 1966. many of which were passive areas, such as F.W.R. Dickson Wilderness Area Members of the Grand Valley Conservation Authority toured Elora Gorge before the south of Cambridge. Management or park was built. ownership of some conservation areas Byng Island (Dunnville) in 1960, acquire land for recreation. The new was transferred to other agencies during Rockwood in 1964, and Laurel Creek agency took advantage of its ability to tough economic times in the mid 1990s (Waterloo) in 1970. acquire environmentally significant land. such as LaFortune near Caledonia, Brant Conservation Area near It started with Elora Gorge – the first Kiwanis Park in Kitchener, Chicopee in Brantford was nicknamed an “instant conservation area in the province – Kitchener and Doon Heritage park” when it opened in 1971 to 30,000 which opened in 1954. The idea of the Crossroads. visitors and their 7,000 vehicles that Elora Gorge park had been bandied There is no entry fee for the passive arrived for the National Campers and about for decades, but initially it was conservation areas and there are no serv- Hikers Association Campvention. It took expected to be a provincial park. ices such as camping, public washrooms only 18 months to complete the park. and equipment rental are not available. First conservation area Since 1995, the conservation areas But these are favourite spots for hiking Elora resident Kay Marston lobbied have been self-supporting and generate to set up a network of conservation areas enough revenue to cover operating costs. and other activities. across the province, beginning with the They receive more than a million paid Developed rail-trails Elora Gorge. This park was constructed visits annually. With more than 2,500 In the 1990s, the GRCA’s four Rail- in 16 months and was the first in this campsites at eight conservation areas Trails were among the first in network which now has more than 250 that offer camping, the GRCA is the sec- and are part of the Trans Canada Trail. conservation areas, including 12 active ond largest operator of campgrounds in These abandoned railway lines were areas operated by the GRCA. the province – second only to converted into trails for year-round Pinehurst Lake opened in 1955 and Parks. activities such as hiking, cycling and was the second of the GVCA’s conserva- The 1966 annual report for the tion areas. It was quickly followed by authority listed 23 conservation areas, cross country skiing. They cover almost 110 km and include the 18-km Cambridge to Paris Rail-Trail; the 10- km Paris to Brantford trail, the 32-km Brantford to Hamilton Trail and the 46- km Elora to Cataract Trail. These are only a small part of the network of trails in the watershed, and there are many Tourists line up in May 1943 to see the Shand Dam. other trails on GRCA land.

2 Share the resources - Share the responsibility National award for Grand fishery committee

By Janet Baine dedicated volunteers with their commu- GRCA Communications specialist nity ties and grass roots knowledge. This t was a proud day in Ottawa when a is supported by the technical expertise of MILESTONES Icommittee from the Grand River the GRCA and MNR. The plan provides watershed collected a national award guidance on managing the fish resources from Gail Shea, the Minister of Fisheries and overall environmental health of the and Oceans. Grand River watershed. The Grand River Management Plan Partnerships led to success Implementation Committee received this Recreational Fisheries Award on May 4. “Not all watersheds in Canada can do The award recognizes individuals and this, because the trust and willingness to organizations for their contribution to work together is not always as well the conservation, restoration and understood. We are fortunate to have Brook trout enhancement of Canada’s recreational built these partnerships over many years. fisheries and their habitat. That is the future,” said Yerex. initiatives. “Through its volunteers, this commit- The plan was completed in 1998 and Some sections of the Grand, particu- tee has been able to generate over $4 recently celebrated 10 years of success larly the Upper Grand reach between the million worth of programs, projects and with another set of public meetings. The Shand Dam (near Fergus) and West activities over the past eight to 10 years. plan contained a list of “best bets” – Montrose and the Exceptional Waters The results of this work have been projects to enhance the fishery by section between Paris and Brantford, increased awareness and quality of the improving habitat and water quality. have received national and international fisheries available on the Grand River Over the years, dozens of projects recognition for the quality of the fishing. and many of its tributaries,” the citation have been undertaken, including stream Larry Mellors of Brantford, a long- for the award says. rehabilitation, research on aquatic time member of the committee, said the The GRCA and the Ministry of species and their habitats, improved group was honoured to receive the Natural Resources co-chair the commit- river access points and public education award. tee. The task before them seemed insur- mountable at times: to come up with Ontario’s first fisheries management plan to be completed on a watershed basis. Unlike other plans, it is not limit- ed by political boundaries. The Grand River is 300 km long, but the watershed encompasses 11,000 km of streams and watercourses and the plan covers all of this. “We took three years and held two sets of public meetings across the water- shed,” explained Warren Yerex, supervi- sor of aquatic resources. “We delivered a plan that not only met the needs of the local person interested in their own stretch of stream, but also set fish com- munity goals that the development industry, wastewater treatment plants, With the National Recreational Fishery Award at are committee municipalities, the province and federal members (from left): Art Timmerman, Steve May, Andrea Doherty, Al Murray, Larry government had to work towards.” Mellors, Mark Hartley, Tom MacDougall, Felix Barbetti, Warren Yerex and Archie The strength of the plan is that it pro- McLarty. Committee members missing from the group photo: Jack Imhof, Silvia vides a balanced approach, relying on D’Amelio and Bill Murch.

GRAND ACTIONS • May/June 2009 3 “This plan has been applauded and held up as a shining success by many 10,000 Trees Project organizations across Canada,” said ahead of schedule Mellors. “The GRFMP is the volunteer’s and public’s plan with tremendous tech- his spring the 10,000 Trees Project nical support from the GRCA, Ministry Tof Waterloo was recognized with a of Natural Resources and other govern- provincial award. ment and academic bodies. On April 24, the group received one In an editorial, the Brantford of 20 June Callwood Outstanding Expositor said the plan was innovative, Achievement Awards from Michael unique and way ahead of its time. The Chan, Minister of Citizenship and Expositor also urged people to support Immigration. This award recognizes vol- the plan. unteers who have shown exceptional Legions of dedicated volunteers have leadership, innovation and creativity and worked very hard for many years to contributed significantly to their com- carry out the “best bets” in the plan and munities and the province. There were plenty of Earth Day activi- that work continues today. The non-profit group was created in ties in the watershed. 2000 to reforest the City of Waterloo. Its Above: John Pentilchuck and his daugh- TAKING goal was to plant 10,000 trees on public ter Indya helped plant 280 trees at ACTION land in 10 years at no cost to taxpayers. Laurel Creek Conservation Area through It does this by matching sponsors, vol- 10,000 Trees Project. unteer tree planters and public land for Middle: Earth Day on Six Nations saw Lifetime Heritage planting. 1,500 trees distributed for transplanting. The 10,000th tree was planted this Bottom: Volunteers planted 5,000 trees award for Stauch spring in the new public square in in Brantford with assistance from the arren Stauch, a retired geography Uptown Waterloo. On April 25, employ- Brantford Tree Coalition. Wteacher with a passion for history, ees of the Conestogo Rovers planted 280 has received the Ontario Heritage Award trees at Laurel Creek Conservation Area. for Lifetime Achievement for the Region The GRCA has been a partner with of Waterloo. 10,000 Trees since 2005 and many of The award is for volunteer contribu- the trees are planted at Laurel Creek tions to conserving community heritage Nature Centre and Laurel Creek over 25 years or more. It was given out Conservation Area. by Lieutenant-Governor David Onley in In 2006, the group received the City March at Queen’s Park. In 2001 he also Livability Award from the Canadian received a GRCA Watershed Award. Urban Institute. Stauch is a director of the Waterloo Historical Society and is engaged in numerous community heritage initia- tives. He operates Shunpiking Tours, acting as a tour guide through local communities. Among his many accomplishments, Stauch has undertaken an inventory of historic mills. This inventory is the basis of four driving tours covering Guelph, Fergus/Elora and Elmira/St. Jacobs; the Cambridge area; Brantford and Six Nations; and Haldimand and Six Nations. The tours are entirely self-guid- ed and are available on www.grandriver- country.com.

4 Share the resources - Share the responsibility Water conservation awards in Guelph The City of Guelph has given out the first annual Water Conservation and Efficiency Awards. A residential award went to Dr. Khosrow Farahbakhsh, whose family installed a rainwater harvesting system, numerous water-efficient appliances, and created xeriscape gardens. The fam- ily now maintains daily water use of 70 litres per capita. Guelph’s average water use is 230 litres per capita per day. Guelph Campus Co-op’s newly renovated student residence received the group Community/Educational Award. The GRCA’s Martin Neumann and Andrew Hamilton Joseph of Los Algarrobos have The residence features one of very few become good friends after many years of exchanges.between the two organizations. systems in Ontario to integrate rainwa- ter harvesting and grey water reuse. These systems, along with the installa- Successful Argentine twinning tion of water-efficient toilets and wash- ing machines, have reduced water conservation organization from demand in the residence by approxi- AArgentina, Los Algarrobos, is WHAT’S mately 40 per cent. grateful to the GRCA, president Andrew HAPPENING? Both of the winning projects serve as Hamilton Joseph told the GRCA board. demonstration sites for emerging water “You have played a unique role as a conservation technologies, create visi- catalyst, facilitator, technical advisor and shed management expert to impress upon our communities and our decision bility and promote the capabilities of honest broker,” he said when he visited makers the need to work together to residential rainwater harvesting and in April. “We have used your credibility improve our watersheds.” grey water reuse systems. as an internationally recognized water- Los Algarrobos is a non-profit organi- zation that works to improve the quality of life of people in the Andean region of Argentina. For the past 16 years, visitors from this region of Argentina have come to learn from the GRCA, while GRCA staff has also visited Argentina, some- times at their own expense. During this time, Los Algarrobos has become recognized nationally and inter- nationally. It has undertaken many proj- ects related to watershed education, tree and vegetable nurseries, sewage treat- ment, solid waste handling, water quali- ty improvements, tree planting and many other areas. It is now the foremost envi- ronmental and education-oriented non- governmental organization in Latin A presentation by Marcel Labelle on building birch bark canoes took place at America. This success is due to the sup- Conestogo Lake Conservation Area in May. Volunteers also cleaned up the park and port and mentorship of the GRCA, planted 300 trees at the annual spring event.

GRAND ACTIONS • May/June 2009 5 Joseph told the GRCA board. The GRCA received the International Source Water Protection Riverprize for excellence in watershed management from the International information kits to 6,000 Riverfestival in Australia in 2000. An associated organization, the International lose to 6,000 information kits about response to the Walkerton tainted water the Clean Water Act are going out Rivers Foundation, provided funds for C tragedy. The goal of the Act and source to property owners in the Lake Erie the five year twinning between Los protection planning is to provide an Source Protection Region. Algarrobos and the GRCA. The funding additional level of security for municipal Each kit contains a copy of a newslet- is nearing the end of its term. water supplies. Studies are taking place ter, The Source, which provides infor- Joseph urged the GRCA board to around municipal wells to determine mation on the source protection program continue in this relationship, because it what kind of activities could potentially for the four watersheds in the region: produces a valuable “multiplier effect” threaten the water supply. The informa- Grand River, Long Point Region, Catfish tion will be used to develop a drinking throughout the entire South American Creek and Kettle Creek. The kits also water source protection plan. region. Los Algarrobos continues to seek include a flyer with details on the Grants are available for properties funding for improved watershed man- Ontario Drinking Water Stewardship closest to the wells to offset the cost of agement and twinning. A major proposal Program, which helps landowners undertaking work to protect water sup- is being considered by the World Bank’s upgrade septic systems, cap old wells or plies. More information, including maps Global Environmental Fund. take other action to protect groundwater showing the eligible areas, is available at from contamination. Fun and learning The kits are being distributed in con- the Lake Erie Region webpage at GRCA day camps junction with municipalities in the Lake www.sourcewater.ca in the “Stewardship Erie Region. They are working together Program” section. to support the Lake Erie Region Source Eligible projects include: ay camp programs at GRCA facili- Protection Committee which is oversee- • Decommissioning old wells, Dties offer numerous opportunities ing development of a drinking water upgrading active wells or connecting to for children six to 16 years old to learn source protection plan for each of the a municipal drinking water service line about the environment while enjoying watersheds. and decommissioning the old well. the outdoors. The Clean Water Act was passed in • Upgrades and improvements for These camps are offered by nature aging septic systems. centre staff at Guelph Lake, Rockwood • Pollution prevention audits for small and Laurel Creek conservation areas and medium-sized businesses that manu- throughout the summer and also at facture, handle, store, and dispose of Apps’ Mill and Belwood Lake during materials into water, land, or air. The the month of July. audit will identify ways to reduce envi- The camps include opportunities such ronmental and business risks arising as pond studies, bug hunts and environ- from potential threats to water. mental games for younger kids. Older • Farm and rural land projects for ero- children may go on a canoe expedition, learn rowing or participate in a natural- sion control, nutrient management plan- ist-in-training program. There is even a ning, farmyard runoff control, improved French camp at Rockwood and Guelph manure storage and handling and others. Lake. People interested in the grant pro- For more information and a registra- gram should contact the Grand River: tion form, please see the nature centre Tracey Ryan at 519-621-2763, Ext. 2269 section of www.grandriver.ca or call the or by e-mail at [email protected] nature centre nearest you: Under the Clean Water Act, the • Guelph Lake, Rockwood and Ministry of the Environment has made Belwood: (519) 836-7860 $7 million available each year, for four • Apps Mill: 519-752-0655 Checking a net to see what is living in years, to finance the program across • Laurel Creek: 519-885-1368 the water at Rockwood. Ontario.

6 Share the resources - Share the responsibility Successful gala he River Run Centre in Guelph was Tthe setting for the 2009 President’s Gala - A Celebration of Youth and Conservation, on March 24, 2009. The event featured a presentation by Severn Cullis-Suzuki, a prominent young environmentalist gaining acclaim worldwide for her approach to “intergen- erational justice” — the idea that adults have a responsibility to young people to leave our natural world intact and even improved for future generations. An activist for the natural world we all share since the age of nine, Cullis- Suzuki came to prominence when she challenged delegates Rain in the Upper Grand River resulted in heavy flows near Grand Valley on at the 1992 Rio Earth Mother’s Day for members of the Waterloo-Wellington Canoe Club. They are canoe- Summit to change ing the entire Grand River this summer. their ways and ensure a better future for Summer programs children like her. NOW AVAILABLE During the day, at three parks Severn Cullis-Suzuki visited hree conservation areas offer out- Cullis-Suzuki two GRCA Nature Tdoor nature programs that are ideal Centres and met with students in Grades for families during the summer months. Caring for nature in 2 to 11. Highlights included a presenta- These are offered at Laurel Creek in the Carolinian zone tion on energy in air and water with Waterloo, Rockwood, east of Guelph Grade 2 students at Shade’s Mills Nature and now also at Pinehurst Lake near Ayr. new series of 12 fact sheets about Centre, inspiring Grade 11 students to Each program is run a little differently, Athe Carolinian Life Zone is being environmental action, and a visit to the but all are led by nature centre inter- distributed by the Carolinian Canada chickadee trees with Grade 8 students at preters. Coalition (CCC). Guelph Lake. Grade 3 students at They offer campers and day use visi- Almost 200,000 copies of the eight- Guelph Lake also planted a tree in hon- tors to the conservation areas the oppor- page Caring for Nature fact sheets have our of Cullis-Suzuki and her baby, due tunity to go for a hike, explore pond life, been printed. This is an informative later this year. see a crazy critter show or learn about guide for rural landowners looking to Joining her at the President’s Gala caves or frogs. The programs are free improve and maintain natural areas. were emcee Phil Andrews of the Guelph with park admission. Stretching from Toronto to Windsor, Mercury and Guelph Lake Nature For a small fee, companies, groups the Carolinian Life Zone of southwest- Centre graduates Todd Frizley and Eva and families having large picnics can ern Ontario is among North America’s Szecsenyi who shared their stories about also book special nature programs tai- most vibrant and fragile ecoregions. why they were inspired to take up envi- lored to their group’s interest. Explore www.carolinian.org or call 519- ronmentally related careers as a result of These programs are all listed in the the environmental lessons they learned 433-7077 for more information. Calendar on www.grandriver.ca (it is in as children. “The fact sheets contain a wealth of The support of the many gala spon- the far left column) or call the conserva- information about what to consider sors and ticket buyers led to more than tion area for more information: when you plan restoration or conserva- $7,000 raised for high priority conserva- • Rockwood 519-856-9543 tion projects on your land,” says Nikki tion projects in the Grand River water- • Laurel Creek 519-884-6620 May, project coordinator. shed. • Pinehurst Lake 519-442-4721 Natural areas provide many benefits

GRAND ACTIONS • May/June 2009 7 for people and wildlife alike. It is impor- Unlimited Canada, the Nature tant to the health of the Carolinian Zone Conservancy of Canada, and the to create a network of large and small Haldimand Stewardship Council. natural areas. “Many best practices for safe drink- The fact sheets highlight private and ing water, clean air, outdoor recreation, public habitat projects undertaken by sustainable timber harvesting and agri- community groups and rural landowners culture also benefit wildlife," notes in areas including the Grand River Michelle Kanter, CCC executive direc- Forest, Beverly Swamp, Ojibway Prairie tor. This organization brings together and Dunnville Marshes. They tell stories diverse sectors, people and governments of dedicated landowners who have put to steward southwestern Ontario’s buffers along waterways, or restored unique Carolinian habitat. This is done woodlands, wetlands, and prairies. These by developing green infrastructure to landowners have worked with conserva- support natural and human communities tion partners such as the GRCA, Ducks to live in harmony.

Eastern Redbud, a Carolinian tree, in spring and summer. The Grand Strategy Calendar About Grand Actions This newsletter is produced bi-month- Family hike, Ruthven Park National Historic Site, Cayuga, Saturday, ly by the Grand River Conservation June 6, 1 p.m. Celebrate the Grand River Conservation Authority’s 75th Authority on behalf of the partners in anniversary along with members of the Grand Valley Trails Association by par- The Grand Strategy. Current and back ticipating in a 5 km hike which will incorporate sections of the Grand Valley issues are available online at: Trail as well as Ruthven Park trails. Another hike will take place June 20 at www.grandriver.ca. Snyder’s Flats, Kitchener. Visit www.gvta.on.ca for information or preregister For information on by calling 519-576-6156. The Grand Strategy contact: 30th Speed River Clean Up, Royal City Park, Guelph, Saturday, June Barbara Veale, GRCA 13. Clean up the Speed River with a barbeque afterwards for volunteers. Sign In 400 Clyde Road, Box 729, at 8:45 a.m. Kids activities from the Children’s Water Education Council are Cambridge, ON, N1R 5W6 new this year. There will be a volunteer BBQ hosted by Re/Max after the event. Phone: 519-621-2763 Ext. 2274 Bring weather appropriate gear and hip waders if you want to get in the water. Fax: 519-621-4844 Contact OPIRG for a complete schedule and volunteer opportunities, at E-mail: [email protected] www.opirgguelph.org or 519-824-2091. For newsletter submissions and e-mail The 6th Canadian River Heritage Conference, “Our Living Rivers: or post subscriptions, contact: Linking Nature, People and Places through Time,” Government of Canada Janet Baine, GRCA Conference Centre, Ottawa, Ontario, June 14-17. Hosted by Phone: 519-621-2763, Ext. 2302 and various partners, the conference celebrates the 25th anniversary of the E-mail: [email protected] Canadian Heritage Rivers System (CHRS) – Canada’s national river conserva- Deadlines for submissions are the tion and education program. The Grand River is a Canadian Heritage River. 15th of February, April, June, August, Great Lakes ~ Great Links: A Grand Connection, the 9th Annual Grand October and December. Submissions River Watershed Water Forum, GRCA, 400 Clyde Rd., Cambridge, Friday, may be edited for length or style. Sept. 18th, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. This year’s forum will explore the impact of the Tax deductible donations and spon- Great Lakes on watersheds and how innovation and change can positively affect sorships toward the cost of producing watershed health in the Grand River watershed. To learn more and to register, this newsletter are always welcome. please check the conferences section of www.grandriver.ca or contact Sonia Morgan at 519-621- 2763, ext. 2315 or [email protected] Note: A complete listing of events in the GRCA’s conservation areas and nature centres is available on www.grandriver.ca in the Calendar section. This includes GVTA hikes and other events planned for the GRCA’s 75th anniversary.

8 Share the resources - Share the responsibility