The Grand Strategy Newsletter

Issue Two July 1996 

Share the Resources Share the Responsibility

Sometimes the truth is stranger than fiction. This headline, while sounding like a 'sci-fi' story title, calls attention to a serious threat to many wetlands in North America.

Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) is a herbaceous perennial, introduced from Europe early this century. This tenacious plant spreads rapidly in wet areas, displacing native plants, and disrupting the natural diversity of the wetland ecosystem and food chains. A runaway pest, with no natural enemies in North America, it is now found in most areas of the Grand River watershed. Unsuccessful attempts to eradicate plant colonies have included labour intensive pulling of plants before they produce seed, and chemical control of the plants (which can be a dangerous and undesirable option in sensitive wetlands). A technique developed with success in Canada and other countries is the use of natural biological enemies to control invasive alien species. This technique has been used to control imported pests in agricultural and forest ecosystems. None of the introduced insects have become serious nuisances to crop plants in their new homes.

To re-establish the natural herbivore and plant relationship that controls purple loosestrife in its native European environment, three species of beetles, Galerucella pusilla, Galerucella calmariensis and Hylobius transversovittatus, were imported to North America. With the approval of the Canadian and United States governments, the beetles were released at 130 test sites, including 40 sites in the Grand River valley. All three species are now established at these sites and have been shown to reduce purple loosestrife biomass by up to 70%, completely suppressing flower and seed production.

The Grand River Watershed Management Plan for Purple Loosestrife is an exciting collaborative program that takes the approach that control efforts should be coordinated at a watershed level. This program is being developed under the sponsorship of Action 21 of Environment Canada, with the collaboration of the Grand River Conservation Authority, the University of Guelph, and local community and volunteer groups.

Specific program objectives include:

• mapping present loosestrife infestations;
• determining how far beetle populations have spread from existing release sites in the watershed;
• releasing the beetles in identified areas;
• collaborating with community groups to expand the release program, and
• improving release strategies and monitoring protocols.

Community volunteers are needed to locate and estimate the size of loosestrife populations in local areas, and complete and return a simple form. This survey data will be incorporated into a computer mapping package to enable inventories and maps of infestations to be published, and assist with effective beetle releases.

In the second year of the program interested volunteer groups will be asked to 'adopt' a purple loosestrife infestation. They will conduct a release program at their site, monitoring the progress of the beetle populations and sharing data with other release groups. Because the beetles reproduce and spread naturally this program can result in permanent control of purple loosestrife with few ongoing costs. The time and energy of watershed volunteers in the Grand River Watershed Management Plan for Purple Loosestrife program will contribute immensely to preventing critical damage to our vital wetland ecosystems. As the first total watershed management plan for purple loosestrife in Canada, the system developed together could become a model program for watersheds across North America.

Thanks for the Memory

The following letter was sent by a Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania, resident to a friend in Ontario.

Dear Rick,

Thanks so much for inviting Don and me to experience fine trout fishing on the Grand River. When I consider that we landed 5 trout over 18 inches in 3 days of fishing that's top quality angling no matter how you evaluate it!

I was surprised to hear that the Grand River is only a five year old trout fishery. The growth rates of the resident brown trout seem to be exceptional. Please pass on to those in the MNR (Ministry of Natural Resources) and other organizations my thanks for efforts expended and my encouragement to continue efforts to sustain and, if possible, improve the quality trout fishing in this river. With fine hatches and good numbers of willing trout I have a difficult time thinking of anything that could make a fly-fisher happier.

I hope we can get together soon for another enjoyable outing on a fine stream with cooperative trout!

Sincerely, Dave

Grand Issues and Priorities for Action

The Grand Strategy Coordinating Committee met on June 19, 1996, to discuss watershed issues and priorities for action as previously expressed by the Technical Working Groups in discussions, written products, and submissions for a draft State of the Watershed Report for the Grand River watershed. The Committee focused on identifying integrative issues as they relate to watershed health and competing resource use and expectations. More detailed discussion will be held at the joint meeting of the Technical Working Groups on Friday, August 23.

See The Grand Strategy Calendar for details.

Ecoregions of the Grand River Watershed

Work is nearing completion on the first edition of an Atlas to the Ecoregions of the Grand River Watershed. The atlas uses a holistic approach to describe the natural environment for areas of land in the watershed and provide evaluations of productivity. It will be a useful tool for resource managers, educators, land owners, conservationists and all involved in land stewardship programs.

The ecoregions are based on the sites and site regions researched in the early 1950's by Dr. Angus Hills of the University of Toronto. Dr. Hills developed a 'holistic' method by which lands are evaluated and classified on the basis of regional climate, soil characteristics and management. Because of his practical background as a homesteader in northern Ontario, Dr. Hill approached resource planning primarily from a forestry perspective, but his method is beneficial to most land use and ecological planning projects.

Dr. Hill stated that "..for centuries the husbandry of field and forest has been carried on by men who did not possess the ability to separate and classify the natural features which they manipulated as a whole, nor could they convey, by words alone, the procedures which they used in growing the crop. As the old Scot said about some of his experiences, 'it is something which is more easily felt than tell't'. In fact, it cannot be tell't unless it is felt. We are similarly challenged by the concept of the ecosystem approach to planning and resource management."

The Ecoregion Atlas is being produced by the Grand River Conservation Authority on behalf of the Natural Heritage Working Group to expand knowledge of the lands of the watershed and their productivity and needs. Dr. Derek Coleman, a former student of Dr. Hills, has been contracted with his team of consultants at CH2M Gore and Storrie to prepare the atlas.

Interim Forestry Policies

The Forestry Technical Working Group has recommended interim policies to guide forestry while the comprehensive forestry management strategy is developed. These policies are an important milestone because they set direction and approach and address a range of issues from hazard trees to plantation thinning and planting practices. The Grand River Conservation Authority is implementing the policies as a standard for its forestry work and landowner contact programs.

Upon completion of the forest inventory which is now underway, the comprehensive forestry strategy will incorporate the interim policies and revise them if appropriate.

Copies of the interim policies are available from Martin Neumann who can be reached at (519) 621-2761, ext. 258.

Six Nations Communications Protocol

The Grand River Conservation Authority has recently ratified its participation in the 'Grand River Notification Agreement'. The intent of the Agreement is to encourage better communication between the First Nations (Six Nations and New Credit Reserves, near Caledonia) and its partners. It is anticipated that the Agreement will also be ratified by various municipal, provincial and federal governments within the next few months. The Agreement will be in effect for two years, and is a friendly protocol not legally binding on any party.

Grand Tourism

Marketing Committee

A Grand Tourism Marketing Committee has been struck "to increase resident and non-resident appreciation for, and enjoyment of, the Grand River watershed experiences, resulting in enhanced economic benefits to profit and non-profit watershed partners, while being sensitive to environmental and cultural impacts". This committee will function as a subcommittee of the Heritage, Recreation and Tourism Working Group.

The committee has prepared a Strategic Tourism Marketing Framework and is currently gathering a promotions and products inventory for events, attractions and activities in the watershed. This will help identify opportunities for sharing resources and linking activities that have destination marketing value.

Steve and Sandra Eastep

For fifteen years Steve and Sandra Eastep have worked to turn their former sod farm near Elora into a conservation farming showcase. In 1971, a highly erodible slope was planted with conifers, and over the years has evolved into a diverse mixed woodlot. Windbreaks protect the barn and outbuildings, while there are four kilometres of field windbreaks on the farm.

With help from the Land Stewardship Program, water and sediment control berms were installed to intercept overland water flow, and allow silt to be deposited before the water is diverted to the tile drainage system. Mulch tillage is used on the farm, and Steve is experimenting with no-till corn and soybean crops. He is also exploring ways of reducing environmental risks associated with liquid manure application. Soil samples are regularly tested for nutrient levels and commercial fertilizer use is reduced according to the soil test results.

Steve and Sandra also take pleasure in the birds they attract to the many bird boxes located on fences and trees on their property.

Planting Trees for a Healthy Stream

On April 29, forty-seven grade 7 and 8 students from St. Agnes School, Waterloo, planted 200 cedar trees along the banks of Beaver Creek on Henry Weber's farm. The trees are 1 metre tall, and will soon shade the stream and keep the banks from eroding. Mr. Weber has also planted trees on a small field bounded by the stream. The Laurel Creek Citizen's Committee has installed stream deflectors in the same area, and plans to continue its work in the stream this summer.

These initiatives are part of the Beaver Creek Demonstration Project, started by the Grand River Conservation Authority in 1993, under the Canada/Ontario Green Plan Wetlands/ Woodlands/Wildlife (WWW) Program. Financial and technical assistance is available to landowners in the Beaver Creek watershed to help implement best management practices to protect and improve natural features. The project demonstrates how productive agriculture can co-exist with a healthy ecosystem.

The Heyer Family

The Heyer family farm in North Easthope Township, Perth County, is a visible sign of the family's commitment to the environment. The Heyers are the first family in Ontario to complete projects under all four parts of the Ministry of Environment and Energy Clean Up Rural Beaches (CURB) program.

Since 1991, Doug installed a buffer strip along both sides of Knechtel Drain to trap sediments and nutrients, installed a concrete tank for manure and milkhouse wash water, and added fencing to keep cattle from the drain. With all the attention focused on drainage, it soon became apparent that their septic tank was tiled to the drain. With assistance from the CURB program, the Heyers installed a new septic system. The water quality improvement projects are one way that the Heyers are ensuring that the farm and the environment that they pass on to the next generation are healthy and productive.

Paddle Fun for Everyone

Roy Wilhelm of Waterloo, owner of PADDLESKILLS, believes that everyone should be able to experience the pleasure of canoeing on the Grand River. He has designed equipment which allows him to offer one-on-one lessons for the developmentally challenged. Lessons focus on 'non-destination' or day trip canoeing and include instruction on safety and environmental sensitivity. For more information on this and other recreational canoeing programs please call (519) 884-5752.

Blue Springs Scout Reserve

Members of the Blue Springs Scout Reserve, Scouts Canada, have been busy improving their part of the Grand River watershed. They recently completed a biological inventory on the Blue Springs property which listed 511 species, including 336 plants, 60 birds, and 32 types of butterflies and other wildlife. The group also conducted a waste generation audit, constructed boardwalks to preserve wetland trails, and undertook a stream study.

Burford Heritage and Tourism

The Burford Heritage and Tourism Committee has been working with the Brant Field Naturalists to conduct a natural heritage survey of Carolinian species near Kenny, Homer, Whiteman's, and Mud Creeks, as well as in the Long Point area. The Committee has also undertaken a tourism inventory to determine the existing and potential tourist attractions in Burford.

The Burford Heritage and Tourism Committee advocates awareness of the local heritage and tourism resources. It is part of an ongoing planning committee that is attempting to formulate and implement a tourism strategy for Brant County, and has been involved in several projects which provide valuable background information for this process.

New Fish and Wildlife Publication

A new resource book is available through the Best Management Practices Project. The latest title is Fish and Wildlife Management, and single copies are available to farmers from local offices of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Grand River Conservation Authority.

The Best Management Practices Project is funded by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada through the Green Plan, managed by the Ontario Federation of Agriculture and supported by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. The project publications outline practical, affordable approaches to conserving soil, water and other natural resources in rural areas.

The Grand Strategy Circular

An information circular called The Grand Strategy - A Shared Management Plan for the Grand River Watershed is now available. The publication summarizes key watershed trends and issues, and explains the direction, approach, products and participation opportunities of The Grand Strategy.

To request a copy, please contact:

Barbara Veale at

Phone: (519) 621-2761, ext. 274,

Fax: (519) 621-4844,

e-mail: grandstrategy@grandriver.on.ca

• Canada and the USA have agreed to reduce phosphorous loadings to Lake Erie from agricultural sources by 200 tonnes per year.
• 200 tonnes of phosphorus is the same as dumping 6.2 million boxes of laundry soap into Ontario streams.
• An estimated 200 tonnes annually enters rivers from milkhouse waste water alone.
• 1 cow 'patty' has enough bacteria to make 6 pools unsafe for swimming.
• 1 drop of oil can make 25 litres of drinking water unfit.
• 1 litre of oil can pollute 2 million litres of water.
• Soil degradation from wind and water erosion, salinization, compaction and loss of organic matter, costs Canadian farmers an estimated $600 to $900 million in lost production each year.
• 1 cubic metre (m) of water flow per second equals:

• 86,400 cubic m per day
• 2,000 backyard swimming pools filled per day
• 100 rail tankers filled per day
• a stream you can jump over.  

• There are five sawmills, one telephone pole mill, and a wood fuel pellet mill all within a five km distance of Hawkesville. The Mennonite community in this area just northwest of Waterloo has many wood furniture making shops. This high number of wood-using industries illustrates the strong contributions that forestry can make to a diverse and healthy rural economy. For stable, long-term benefits, that do not detract from other forest values, the forests need to be managed in a sustainable fashion that protects the forest diversity.

• The American Chestnut (or sweet chestnut) is a tree species at risk. Once common in southwestern Ontario and throughout eastern North America, the chestnut was almost wiped out by the introduced Chestnut Blight which started in the 1920's. The early settlers relied on the chestnut more than any other tree for food, lumber, fence rails and other uses. GRCA continues to work with partners to bring the chestnut back from the brink of extinction in this area.
  

Meetings

A Joint Technical Working Group meeting will be held on Friday, Augest 23, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Grand River Conservation Authority Head Office in Cambridge.

The Grand Strategy Coordinating Committee meets on August 28,1996, at 9:30 a.m. at the Grand River Consevation Authority Head Office, Cambridge.

For more information, call Barbara Veale at (519) 621-2761, extension 274.

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