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Forestry and Land Stewardship
The Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) jurisdiction is largely a rural watershed with 85 per cent agricultural presence consisting mostly of row crop operations. Once settlers arrived to the area, the clearing of the forests began. Today forests cover 13 per cent of the watershed. Except for extensive forested tracts in the Hay Swamp and Ausable Gorge areas, many scattered woodlots tend to run in a pattern perpendicular to the streams, in small areas of floodplain or wetlands and at the backs of farms in broken mid-concession corridors. A number of forestry services and are available to landowners, schools, government agencies and service clubs to promote stewardship of private and public lands in the watershed. Afforestation ProgramThe Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) provides trees for windbreaks and riparian plantings each spring and fall. Rural landowners of one (1) acre or more and lakeshore residents can purchase hardwoods, conifers, wildlife shrubs and seedling trees (spring only), in a number of species such as cedar, pine, ash, maple, oak and Carolinian tree types. Staff will assist landowners with planting designs, species selection and planting. See the tree order form (posted each spring and fall) for species, size, price and ordering deadlines. Spring 2010 Tree Order Forms now availableThe Spring 2010 Tree Order Form is now available for download to your computer simply click on the words 'Spring 2010 Tree Order Form' above. For information on tree planting contact Ian Jean, ABCA Forestry and Land Stewardship Specialist through our staff 'Contacts' page or on the numbers on this page. Clean Water ProjectsThere are Clean Water Project grants in the Ausable Bayfield watershed spearheaded by local counties and implemented by Conservation Authority staff. For information contact the ABCA at 519-235-2610 or toll-free 1-888-286-2610. You can also e-mail Ian through our 'Contact Staff' page.
Habitat Stewardship ProgramWatch this site for information on the Habitat Stewardship Program. Download our 2009-2010 ABCA Habitat Stewardship Program flyer. Also: Find out about how the residents of the Nairn Creek watershed were issued a challenge and not only met the challenge but have surpassed it years ahead of schedule - and keep on planting. For lakeshore landowners, the ABCA can provide technical advice and planting services when concerned with erosion problems on lake banks and gullies. Dune grass, crown vetch, willow, sumac and dogwood are all species available through the reforestation program for erosion control. Bioengineering is an effective and inexpensive method to establish plant material on eroded sites. Woodlot MarkingOnce you have an established woodlot it is very important to properly manage your forest. Certified ABCA staff can mark your woodlot for harvesting to properly sustain its commercial, recreational and wildlife habitat value for the future. A walk through your bush will assess timber value, mark individual trees for harvest and calculate the number of board feet to be sold. We also assist you in selling the timber by advertising and preparing the timber sales agreement between the seller and the lumber mill. Managed Forest Tax Incentive ProgramThe Province of Ontario provides a 75 per cent reduction in property tax for forest owners who have more than 10 acres of woodlot and don't receive the farm tax reduction on the property. ABCA staff can assist landowners in compiling and approving a forest management plan. The application deadline is July 31st each year. ABCA staff can help you develop your managed forest plan, and approve your plan when complete. Please call us for details. For more information visit: http://ontariosforests.mnr.gov.on.ca/mftip.cfm?lang=EN Forest Insect and Disease AnalysisAn assessment of insect and disease problems of individual trees or entire woodlots is available. Staff will visit your site or suitably contained samples can be dropped off at our office for analysis. Asian Longhorned Beetle Fact Sheet Emerald Ash Borer Fact Sheet - fact sheet. This highly-destructive beetle has been found in campgrounds in the Bayfield area; please do no move firewood; this link is for information purposes only. Sudden Oak Death Fact Sheet - Information link provided here is for information purposes only. Common Pests of Trees of Ontario - you need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view some of these files. The information is sorted based on tree species. ABCA staff can help you identify your pest problems, and recommend solutions. Vegetation Control and Drain SprayingLicensed ABCA staff can provide assistance to municipalities and landowners in controlling unwanted vegetation like willows, hawthorn and dogwood along open drains and roadsides. Herbicide can also be applied on unwanted grasses and weeds around newly planted trees and on ponds to control algae and pondweeds. Contact us for more information on forestry services and fees. Landowner Resource CentreA great place for information on a variety of forest related topics. http://www.lrconline.com/lrc/products/index.htm Ontario Drinking Water Stewardship ProgramThe Ausable Bayfield and Maitland Valley Conservation Authorities are delivering the Ontario Drinking Water Stewardship Program (ODWSP). Homes, farms and businesses located within one kilometre of the Goderich surface water intake or in the two-year time-of-travel area, or 100 metre radius, of a municipal well may be eligible for funding for Beneficial Management Practices (BMPs) such as wells, septics, runoff and erosion control, pollution prevention reviews and more. For information visit http://www.sourceprotectionstewardship.on.ca or phone 519-335-3557 or 519-235-2610 or 1-888-286-2610. |