RECENT NEWS

The Grey Sauble Conservation Foundation is hosting their 6^th annual Earth Film Festival at the Roxy Theatre in Owen Sound on Thursday, April 20, 2023. The theme for this year’s festival is a chilly one, highlighting the southernmost continent, Antarctica and will feature the New Zealand produced movie “Antarctica from Above”. Filmed with drones, helicopters, and industry-leading cinematography, this movie provides an interesting and dramatic view of the mysterious Antarctic landscape.

A presentation by Marine Biologist and local artist, Sarah McComb-Turbitt will also be featured where she shares stories of living amongst penguins on a sub-Antarctic island! Explore the lifecycle and behaviours of Gentoo penguins with Sarah and learn how they prepare their nests for new chicks arriving in the colony.  

Schools are invited to attend the matinee presentations at 10:00 am and 12:45 pm. The evening presentation is open to the public and starts with a social, displays, silent auction, and draw prizes at 6:00 pm with the film commencing at 7:00 pm.

All funds raised from this event will benefit local conservation projects and student education grants supported by the Grey Sauble Conservation Foundation.

Tickets are $25 for the evening presentation and the school matinees are $5. Tickets can be purchased through The Roxy Theatre: 519-371-2833 or www.roxytheatre.ca.

For further information:

Don Sankey, Chair, Grey Sauble Conservation Foundation

foundation@greysauble.on.ca

519-376-1348

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Background:

The Grey Sauble Conservation Foundation was established in 1993 and is a federally registered, charitable, not-for-profit organization that raises money to assist the Grey Sauble Conservation Authority (GSCA) fund programs and projects. The Foundation offers opportunities for the public to actively participate in conserving and enhancing the natural heritage that exists within the GSCA watershed.

March 22, 2023
For Immediate Release

The five-year update of Conservation Authority Watershed Report Cards are being released today, coinciding with World Water Day. Grades indicate that many of Ontario’s watersheds, especially those in southern, more urban areas are stressed. The local Grey Sauble Conservation Authority (GSCA) watersheds scored very well, particularly in surface water quality and forest conditions, with most achieving a grade of Good to Excellent!

Grey Sauble Conservation Authority CAO, Tim Lanthier, commented on the advantages for our local communities that are associated with these positive grades: “We are happy to see that our watersheds are generally in very good to excellent condition, though there are areas where we, as a community, need to focus our efforts for improvement. Healthy watersheds provide important benefits to everyone who lives or visits our area. They help to drive recreational tourism, encourage healthy living, and mitigate the impacts of climate change. Together with our partners, stakeholders, and the community, GSCA will continue to provide services that monitor and improve the environment in which we all live, work and play.”

Watershed Report Cards can be used to show the overall environmental trends and assist in developing targeted actions to address issues. The main challenges to local watershed health identified in GSCA’s 2023 Watershed Report Card include non-point source pollution such as runoff from fields, streets, and backyards; watercourses without adequate riparian cover (trees within 30 metres of a watercourse), and limited funding and resources that constrain programs and services that support healthy watersheds. The Watershed Report Card also includes valuable information for residents, municipalities, and agencies on how to help enhance watershed health locally.

Maintaining good grades is no easy task and GSCA is looking forward to another successful year working with partners across Grey and Bruce Counties to help monitor, restore, protect, and enhance natural features. To learn more about how you can be part of these efforts and help improve local watershed health by planting trees or implementing stewardship projects on your property like livestock restriction fencing, contact the Grey Sauble Conservation office (519-376-3076 or explore@greysauble.on.ca).

To view the local GSCA report card, visit www.greysauble.on.ca/water-management/watershed-report-cards/ and find more information about the Watershed Report Cards and conditions across the Province at www.watershedcheckup.ca.

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For more information:

John Bittorf, Water Resources Coordinator
Grey Sauble Conservation Authority
j.bittorf@greysauble.on.ca
519-376-3076          

Background:

Our vision is a healthy watershed environment in balance with the needs of society.

Our mission, in partnership with the stakeholders of the watershed, is to promote and undertake sustainable management of renewable natural resources and to provide responsible leadership to enhance biodiversity and environmental awareness.  

February 27, 2023
For Immediate Release

GSCA Board of Directors elected Township of Georgian Bluffs Mayor, Sue Carleton, as the new Chair and Owen Sound Deputy Mayor, Scott Greig as the new Vice Chair at the Annual General Meeting on February 22, 2023. Elections were chaired by former GSCA Board of Directors Chair, Dick Hibma. Both nominees were acclaimed and graciously accepted their respective positions.

Outgoing Chair, Deputy Mayor Scott Greig, paid tribute to the late Elwood Moore, one of GSCA’s founding Board Members, and encouraged the current Board to commit to advancing conservation endeavours and inform residents on the benefits of protecting the natural environment in the spirit of Mr. Moore. Deputy Mayor Greig was Chair of the GSCA Board in 2021 and 2022. Recent changes to the Conservation Authorities Act now limit the term of an Authority Chairperson to a maximum of two consecutive years. As incoming Vice Chair, Greig stated, “It is with great pleasure to have Board support to serve as their Vice Chair and work alongside Chair Sue Carleton to advance the best interests of conservation and environmental protection, particularly during this time due to challenges presented from the Federal and Provincial government as it applies to development and growth.”

Mayor Sue Carleton has been a member of the GSCA Board of Directors in a previous term. When asked what accepting the position of Chair means to her, Mayor Carleton shared, “I feel very privileged to have been nominated and acclaimed to the position of Chair of Grey Sauble Conservation Authority. I look forward to working with Vice Chair, Scott Greig and having his experience to draw on, as well as CAO, Tim Lanthier and all the great staff who work for the Authority. I firmly believe in the Conservation Authority and the work that is done by the Authority to care for our green spaces, our waterways, our trail network, our native species, all so that future generations can have the same enjoyment of this natural beauty that we do. I believe we need to do all we can do to leave this world a better one than we currently have.”

The AGM was attended by many special guests, including committees, partners, stakeholders, and local Member of Parliament, Alex Ruff, each bringing greetings from their respective organizations.

The next GSCA Board of Directors meeting will be held on March 22, 2023.

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For more information:

Tim Lanthier, Chief Administrative Officer
Grey Sauble Conservation Authority
519-376-3076
t.lanthier@greysauble.on.ca

We are currently recruiting applicants for our 2023 summer job positions. If you are passionate about the environment and enjoy working outside, we want you on our team!