CURRENT NEWS
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IWMP (Integrated Watershed Management Plan) State of The Watershed First Draft Reports Have Been Released State of the watershed draft reports have been released for three of the four watersheds involved with the current IWMP process. The next step in the process will be for the Watershed Planning Advisory Teams to fine tune the draft document and present the draft to the public for input before the final Watershed Plan is finalized and released.
The Little Saskatchewan River; Upper Assiniboine River and Lake of the Prairies Conservation District Boards have agreed to facilitate the preparation of integrated watershed management plans (IWMP's) for four watersheds in the Assiniboine River Basin to help set future direction and priorities for the watershed. The challenge is to target limited funds into high quality programs and projects that maximize benefits to the social, economic and environmental elements of the watershed. The Boards have requested designation as Water Planning Authorities (WPA) under The Water Protection Act to play a lead role in the plan preparation. Public participation and broad stakeholder involvement is a high priority in this process. This
Terms of Reference outline how the four IWMP's are to be prepared
including budget, process and expected outcomes and will serve to guide
the process of plan preparation. PURPOSE
OF AN INTEGRATED WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN The purpose of the plan is to:
Solar powered piston pump at Tokaryk Lake
Solar powered Float Pump at Shaw's The district now has three solar powered watering systems that are available for demonstrations and to allow landowners a chance to try these new alternative watering systems. One system is a piston pump capable of pumping long distances with a maximum vertical lift of 200 feet. The others are float pumps with the ability to lift 20 and 40 vertical feet and shorter distances. The systems were set up and used at several locations last year. Please contact the office if you are interested in trying one of these systems next season. Annual MCDA Convention Held in Brandon The 32nd annual convention "Our Landscape-What does the future hold?" was held at the Keystone Centre in Brandon on December 11 & 12th. I wide variety of speakers and presentations were held for CD board memebers and staff to attend. The keynote speaker was Gerri Kamenz – Chair of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture.Geri Kamenz is serving his first term as OFA President after serving three years as OFA Vice President and the previous three years as a member of the Executive Committee. His farming operation consists of 850 acres of corn, soybean, small grains, specialty beans, pedigreed seed production and 200 acres of hay. The livestock part of the farm is and intensive livestock operation that produces swine seed-stock for the domestic and export market, as well as a purebred and commercial cow-calf and feed lot. Geri farms near Spencerville. He and his wife Heather have two daughters, Zoe and Erika. Their farm, "Buckstop Farms" was host to Prime Minister Chrétien’s unveiling of the Agriculture Policy Framework in June, 2002. Prior to farming, Geri was an Air Force officer and pilot. The Honourable Christine Melnick-Minister of Water Stewardship also presented and met with convention members. Highlights were presentations to Water Stewardship grant recipients and the release of the Conservation Districts Framework for the Future discussion document . Closing speaker was Lonnie Dupre-Polar Explorer, Writer, Photographer, Environmentalist and Educator.
For more information on this dynamic speaker please go to the following web
sites. www.oneworldexpedition.com The Upper Assiniboine River CD conservation award was presented in memory of Wayne Basso. Link to UARCD Conservation Award Page. From all reports the convention was well recieved and a great time was had by all.
The three wise men 2007.
Something to think about.............................
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Annual CD Supper Held In Miniota On April 10, 2008 The conservation district recently held our annual supper at The Miniota Community Hall. Speakers for the evening include: Ryan Canart CD Manager-"2007 In Review": Jolene Hodgins(2007 UARCD Youth Speaker)-"Going Green". Our special Guest Speaker is Lonnie Dupre, Polar Explorer-"One World Expedition". For more information check out Lonnie's website at www.lonniedupre.com or www.oneworldexpedition.com . Anyone who has seen Lonnie's presentation knows it is very exciting and motivating, please make plans to join us. Lonnie also gave presentations at several area schools in south western Manitoba.
Streambank Stabilization Projects
The CD has had a great deal of success over the past few years with streambank and riparian restoration projects throughout the CD. A variety of different techniques are used, usually a combination of traditional rock armour and various bioengineering techniques. Getting Out With Students In Our Riparian Tree Planting Programs
Elkhorn Students planting along the Bosshill Creek
Rossburn Students in the Livetsky Runway
UARCD Receives Shell Environmental Fund Grant In 2007 In 2007, thousands of
Canadians continue to take personal action to improve and protect the
Canadian Environment. From
conservation projects to community clean ups, wildlife rehabilitation,
educational initiatives and recycling projects, Shell Canada recognizes
the need for financial assistance to help these Canadians to turn their
environmental ideas into actions. The Upper Assiniboine River
Conservation District has recently received a grant from the Shell
Environmental Fund to undertake several riparian restoration and education
projects. Several local schools and organizations within the UARCD expressed an interest in working with the Conservation District to promote the importance of healthy areas around creeks, streams and lakes. Presentations were made on the basics of riparian areas and their functions. Participants and staff also undertook the onsite rehabilitation of a local riparian area by planting appropriate trees and shrubs. It is well known that healthy riparian areas protect and stabilize shorelines, and provide a filter for runoff entering the watercourse thus improving water quality for downstream users, fish and wildlife. Schools in Rossburn, Elkhorn, and Virden participated in 2007. Created in 1990, the Shell
Environmental Fund is a national program intended to make a local
difference. Over $9.8 million
has been granted to various innovative environmental projects across the
country. Individuals,
schools, community associations, service clubs and environmental groups
have used the grants, of up to $5,000 per project, to improve and protect
their environment. The Shell Environmental Fund accepts applications for projects that are action-oriented, innovative, and community-based. Applications are reviewed twice per year, with deadlines annually of February 28 and September 15. To make the funding decisions, Shell has a decision-making panel comprised of individuals from environmental organizations and government. For information about the Shell Environmental Fund, or to see if your project will qualify, visit the SEF web site at www.shell.ca/sef or call the Shell Environmental Fund office at 1-403-691-2071. |
