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i Greetings from the Chair of the G.R.C.A. One half century of watershed watershed conservation. The fiftieth fiftieth anniversary of the Ga- naraska Region Conservation Authority is a time to reflect on our considerable accomplishments accomplishments and also a time to prepare ourselves to embark on another fifty years. Yes, another fifty years of commitment commitment because community- based, watershed conservation conservation is too important to let fade away, even in these times of public sector economic re- straint. Gerry Houston in the early 40's the valley of the "Ganny" flooded in the spring and ran dry in the summer; summer; fisheries were almost nonexistent and the headwater areas areas were predominantly blow sand. Our forefathers and their peers from across Ontario decided that "resources were in an unhealthy state" and set a plan of action to correct the situation. situation. The rest is history. Our watershed was the first to receive receive a "conservation plan of action" and implementation proceeded immediately; Today the Ganaraska River is one of the more beautiful rivers in Ontario, with a healthy fishery and headwaters which are predominantly forested or under permanent vegetative vegetative cover. Large areas of headwaters are under the ownership ownership of the Conservation Authority, ensuring long term watershed watershed protection and providing countless hours of recreational recreational pleasure for valley residents and visitors. As Chair of the present Conservation Authority, I am deeply respectful of the legacy we have inherited and committed committed to ensure its continuance. As we prepare our Conservation Conservation Authority for the challenges of managing in the twenty-first twenty-first century, it is important that members and residents acknowledge the huge contribution made by those who came before us and our duty to continue and strengthen their purpose. I believe we will meet the challenge; I believe we will improve improve our watershed. Garbage Free Policy In '97 tor Nine Areas The Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority owns nine Conservation Areas throughout the watershed. All of these areas are open for day use only. Over the past few years with major funding cuts the maintenance of these areas areas has been drastically reduced, and this trend is likely to continue in future years. Next year the Authority will introduce introduce a garbage free policy for these areas, which means users will be asked to take out with them whatever litter they produce while using the areas. Signs will be posted with this information in all Conservation Areas. This will encourage users to recycle their litter according to the recycling streams of their individual municipality. As well this will assist assist in the reduction of the amount of recyclable materials going into our local landfill sites. In this way the Conservation Conservation Authority can assist many conservation area users to familiarize familiarize themselves with the recycling system of the individual individual municipality in which they reside. Facts and Figures About the GRCA's Conservation Areas Message From The Chair Association of Conservation Authorities of Ontario In addition to my duties as Chair of the G.R.C.A., I also have the pleasure of being Chair of the Association of Conservation Conservation Authorities of Ontario. From this vantage point I have.the opportunity to work with all Conservation Authorities Authorities in the province. Recent provincial government fiscal restraints have significantly significantly challenged Conservation Authorities; however, I am impressed with their collective abilities to adjust to these changes and to continue providing the most essential of watershed watershed management services. Simply stated, we are alive and we will continue to pursue pursue our goal of protecting watersheds. Across Ontario, Conservation Conservation Authorities are celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of the formation of the Conservation Authorities Act, their enabling legislation. As they celebrate, they are also developing developing strategies to ensure that the important work started by our forefathers a half century ago continues into the next century. Protecting watershed resources through community action is too important a responsibility to do otherwise. It is my pleasure to offer congratulations to the Ganaraska Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority on behalf of all of Ontario's Ontario's Conservation Authorities. The "Ganny" is a valued member of our network of community-based conservation organizations. The best of luck for another fifty years. (fenny "Çéau&foa F.G. (Gerry) Houston Chair O.F.A.H. 8th Annual Ganaraska Forest Centre Conservation Dinner and Art Auction Saturday, April 5th, 1997 •Live and Silent Auctions • • Raffles • Door Prizes • Tickets $40.00 Makes a Great Christmas Gift Tickets Available at the Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority Office (905)885-8173 $teAiwe§ vtMmdu 3> Y m d? V m me WWÿ O' >it/etj3i/ mm/fé am Afi/md m i/o tit, otm /ae&i/atd m a^ti/f trn^e ojf tedtmiÿ ôfiœ /tm/mmé ant/ afaÿ ôj/ta$93. ûû. C (§a/f (99âJ <349-3493 /<? aManpe t/etti t/ttÿ oj/flmtybeiMÿ a///te ô/m. 89.94 36.4 Total Total Conservation Area Acreage Hectares Sylvan Glen C.A. 4.65 1.9 located north of Port Hope in Hope Township Garden Hill C.A. 53.00 21.4 located in Garden Hill in Hope Township Richardson's Lookout 3.02 1.2 located west of Garden Hill in Hope Township Port Hope C.A. located in the Town of Port Hope Cobourg C.A. 31.27 12.7 located in the Town of Cobourg Carr's Marsh located between Port Hope and Cobourg Rice Lake C.A. located east of Bewdley in Hamilton Township Balls Mill C.A. 38.81 15.7 located cast of Baltimore in Hamilton Township Thurne Park C.A. 46.52 18.8 located south of Orono in the Municipality of Clarington 41.06 16.6 181.91 73.6 Date Acquired 12/3/56 6/3/59 12/31/62 2/3/64 3/23/71 11/16/71 4/28/72 11/6/74 12/9/76 w is o Œtie Canadian &tategman congratulates The Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority on 50 years of beautiful conservation of the Ganaraska Region! SI)t Canabtan Statesman "Clarington's Community Newspaper Since 1854" 62 King Street West Bowmanville 623-3303 Proud to have produced this issue of the Ganaraska News.