Welcome to the Dufferin/South Simcoe Land Stewardship Network Home Page!

Advancing the responsible care and use of land and natural resources in the Dufferin South Simcoe area, for this and future generations.

Contact Information:

John Osmok (Stewardship Coordinator)

2284 Nursery Road

Midhurst, ON L0L 1X0

Tel. (705) 725-7561

Fax (705) 7257584

Email: john.osmok@ontario.ca

Mike Williams (Associate Stewardship Coordinator)

c/o Ducks Unlimited Canada

Unit 1, 740 Huronia Rd.

Barrie, ON L4N 8Z7

Tel: (705)721-4444 (ext. 247)

Fax: (705) 721-4999

Email: m_williams@ducks.ca

The Land Stewardship Network serving the communities of Dufferin and South Simcoe was established in 1996 as a part of the Private Land Resource Stewardship Program. This innovative program emphasizes the development of community partnerships as the basis for influencing private land stewardship and resource management in southern Ontario.

FEATURES:

CLICK HERE to see a list of Stewardship Councils and Coordinators in the province.

CLICK HERE to visit the Ontario Stewardship Home Page where you can learn more about the program and find your local community stewardship council home page.

CLICK HERE to reach the Landowner Services Directory where you can find contact information and/or links to agencies at all levels of government, non-government organizations, environmental education institutions, and countless services available to landowners and the general public at large to meet your land and resource related needs.

CLICK HERE to reach the vast library of extension notes available to you through the Ministry of Natural Resources website.

Butternut Monitoring and Conservation Program

The butternut tree (Juglans cinerea) is a nut-bearing tree that grows in eastern North America. The butternut is in danger of disappearing due to a fungal disease commonly called butternut canker (Sirococcus clavigignenti-juglandacearum). The fungus can infect and kill healthy trees of all ages and sizes as well as stressed or injured trees. The disease has been found in ninety percent of the examined butternuts in Ontario.

Landowners have been critical in the butternut monitoring and recovery program. If you think you have a butternut tree on your property, and would like to get involved in the recovery efforts, please contact the appropriate Stewardship Coordinator or representative that can be found in Simcoe, Dufferin County, York, Halton, Peel Region or contact the Forest Gene Conservation Association for other parts of southern Ontario. Click Here to learn more about the recovery efforts for butternut.

Youth Program - Ontario Stewardship Rangers (OSR)

The Ontario Stewardship Ranger (OSR) program is a work experience program specifically aimed at people 17yrs old. The OSR teams report to the MNR office each morning, and work on a wide variety of environmental and stewardship projects throughout the summer. Click HERE for more info.

In 2009, the Midhurst district Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR) had 2 Ranger teams - The Dufferin - Simcoe OSR Team (focusing on projects within Dufferin and Simcoe counties) and the Midhurst Lake Simcoe OSR Team. Another Lake Simcoe OSR Team was based out of Aurora OMNR. Both Lake Simcoe teams were components of the joint OMNR / Ontario Stewardship "Lake Simcoe Community Stewardship Program", and completed stewardship projects within the Lake Simcoe Watershed.

To obtain more information, team locations, and detailed description, check out this website!

Lake Simcoe Community Stewardship Program

CLICK HERE for the Program Brochure!

The Lake Simcoe Community Stewardship Program (LSCSP) encourages landowners to engage in stewardship activities that will improve the overall health of the Lake Simcoe Watershed.

As a rural, non-agricultural landowner in the Lake Simcoe Watershed, this program has been designed specifically for you! (This includes hobby farms and cottages. However, if you qualify for the Environmental Farm Plan, (see the Lake Simcoe Farm Stewardship Program pamphlet here) you will not qualify for the LSCSP.) This program will help you contribute to overall protection and restoration of the lake while protecting your investment as a property owner as well as saving time, money and frustration.

Upon completion of a workshop and an individualized environmental action plan, you will be eligible to access a minimum of $1500 to be used for stewardship projects on your property. The program also includes project planning assistance as well as support and referrals to other partner programs and services.

Some funded projects could include shoreline stabilization, replacing and improving faulty septic systems and wells, erosion control projects, forest and wildlife management, wetland creation and enhancement, control of invasive species and many more.

CLICK HERE FOR THE 2010 WORKSHOP LIST AND REGISTRATION INFO!

SOME USEFUL INFORMATION:

Working around Shorelines & Fish Habitat

The area along your shoreline is important for fish habitat. If you are planning any work in or near water, you may be impacting fish habitat. For information and fact sheets, go to the DFO (Fisheries and Oceans Canada) website http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/regions/central/pub/factsheets-feuilletsinfos-on/index-eng.htm There is information about agencies that you may require approvals from, as well as description of best practices for waterfront projects such as shoreline and dock construction, building beaches, controlling aquatic plants, dredging, erosion control and shoreline restoration.

Wetlands are Wonderful!

Wetlands are essential to the overall health of the environment. They help protect water quality and quantity, as well as supporting numerous species of plants, animals, insects, birds and fish. They also form an essential buffer between the land and the water.

For information about wetland functions, stressors, and how you can help have a look at this poster.

If you have wetlands on your property, you may be eligible for funding, to enhance, rehabilitate, and/or protect it. For more information on wetland project funding and advice contact Ducks Unlimted Canada. If you have Provincially Significant Wetlands, you may also be eligible for the Conservation Land Tax Incentive Program (CLTIP), see http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/CLTIP/index.html

If you're interested in restoring or creating wetlands on your property, this booklet called "Wetlands on My Lands" can help you out. It's a self-guided step by step guide for landowners who want to learn about low-cost options for wetland conservation on their property. Click here to download this booklet or call the Ducks Unlimited Canada office in Barrie (705-721-4444) to get a hard copy.

Be Septic Smart -

If you have a septic system on your property, and want to learn more about how your system works, and how to keep it working properly, click here for more information and also have a look at this poster. This information will help you take care of your septic system, which will benefit your health, finances, and the environment.

For information about new ideas for septic systems on difficult sites, check this out.

If your septic system is located within 300 metres of Lake Simcoe, you may be eligible for financial assistance. Contact the LSRCA for more information or click here.

Wells & Water Quality

Water is a part of every aspect of our lives, and conservation of it is critical for the health of the earth for future generations. The amount of water can impact the quality of that water, and it is critical to protect both. "What you can do to protect water quality and quantity" document outlines ways you can conserve and protect your water supply.

"Most rural Ontarians, rely on groundwater from dug or drilled wells for their private water supply. If you own your own well, you are responsible for it. You must make sure it is constructed to provincial standards. You must also arrange to have your water tested regularly. Your health, and the health of your family, is dependent on clean, safe water". Read the rest of this document and learn more about protecting your well.

Forests and Trees

Trees and forests play a critical role in the ecosystem, by absorbing carbon dioxide, providing protection from sun and wind and filtering runoff, as well as being home to many plant and animal species. Forests are a renewable resource and provide us with products such as wood, paper and maple syrup, and must be managed in a sustainable way, so they can continue to be utilized into the future. For information about the MNR Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program (MFTIP) have a look at the guide.

There are many funding opportunities available for tree planting and re-forestation activities for your property. These include Trees Ontario programs http://www.treesontario.ca/programs/ as well as your local Conservation Authority and Stewardship council, and the Lake Simcoe Community Stewardship Program (LSCSP).

Ontario's forests are vulnerable to a range of native and non-native insects or pests such as the emerald ash borer, Asian long-horned beetle and other pests. Find out more by reading the following Forest Health Alerts.

Invasive Species

"Invading species are one of the greatest threats to the biodiversity of Ontario's waters, wetlands and woodlands. Originating from other regions of the world, and in the absence of their natural predators or controls, invading species can have devastating effects on native species, habitats and ecosystems." More at www.invadingspecies.com. For information on current reasearch projects at Cornell University focusing on invasive plants check out this site.

In order to identify aquatic invasive species, check out this field guide or for exotic forest insects, check out this guidebook. For information about what to do when invasive species threaten your woodlot, this is a good read. Information if your woodlots are threatened by emerald ash borer can be located here. For the Landowner's Guide to Controlling Invasive Woodland Plants CLICK HERE.

Don't Move Firewood: to see why here.

Ontario's Cosmetic Pesticides Ban

For the fact sheet, "What landowners need to know", click here. Exception to Manage Natural Resources - Landowners may apply to the appropriate Director at the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) to receive a written opinion that states a Class 9 pesticide use is necessary to protect a natural resource. This written opinion must state that the purpose for which of the pesticide will be used is one of the following:

• To control an invasive species that may be detrimental to the health of a person, the environment or the economy of Ontario

• To benefit a species of plant or animal native to Ontario, through the protection of the species habitat, or the establishment, restoration or management of the species habitat

• To protect or restore a rare ecosystem or its components.

For more information about the cosmetic pesticides ban for cosmetic use go to go to http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/en/land/pesticides/index.php

Lake Sturgeon

The Lake Sturgeon has been recently added to the list of Species at Risk in the Great Lakes region. This fish is found in the Nottawasaga River and is a confirmed spawner. The Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority in cooperation with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources is interested in finding out more about this interesting fish and have set up a monitoring program. The angling season is now officially closed indefinitely for Sturgeon in the Nottawasaga River. The OMNR would like you to report any sightings of Sturgeon in the Nottawasaga and have set up this website for more information.