WELCOME TO THE

ESSEX COUNTY

STEWARDSHIP

NETWORK

The Essex County Stewardship Network is busy working throughout the county as part of the Ministry of Natural Resources Ontario Stewardship Program.

We are assisting many landowners with their habitat projects across the county. To help us assist you with your project ideas, please download the Stewardship Planning Guide and fill in the pull out sheets. This document will form the basis of the project plans and will ensure that the landowners and ECSN are working towards the same goals.

We are now working on reporting for our 2009-10 funding grants and finalizing the last few applications for 2010-11 funds. Due to the downturn in the economy we did notice a decline in some of our sources; however we still had a good year accessing money for landowner projects.

The big project for the council this spring is the undertaking of a Strategic Plan. This process will allow the council to identify our strengths and direct them in the best manner to help out the Essex County Community. We are using Kayak Consulting to assist with the process. Links to the plan will be posted under the strategic documents page in the early part of April 2010.

The Wheatley Harbour Area of Concern is moving towards delisting this coming spring. More information will be posted as we find out the details. The Wheatley Harbour Implementation Team has worked hard over the past few years to realize this goal!

The ECSN is looking at corridor connections to maximize the resources available to connect Essex County's diverse habitats. There are all kinds of different ideas: what would you like to see?

For more information, give Brett Groves a phone call, send a fax or email.

Email: brett.groves@ontario.ca

Phone: 519-354-4437

Fax: 519-354-0313

FIRST ANNUAL

ESSEX YOUTH PHEASANT HUNT A SUCCESS

20 YOUTH HUNTERS AND THEIR MENTORS ATTEND

ESSEX COUNTY- Local youth hunting apprentices were provided an opportunity to take part in a pheasant hunt hosted at New Breed Farms near Gesto on Saturday. Twenty youth hunters along with their mentors took part in the event that focussed on safety while providing an opportunity to hunt pheasants.

The event was hosted by the Gosfield Sportsman's Club with the help of the AMA Sportsman's Association, the Southwest Outdoors Club, Lakeshore Sportsman's Club, the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, the Essex Hunting Retriever Club and the Essex County Stewardship Network. Numerous others donated their time and equipment to ensure the day was a success.

Dominique Laprise, one of the youth hunters said "that the day was set up really well and provided a great experience to hunt pheasants. It was also good to learn how to clean the birds". Libby Desjardins another of the youth hunters commented that "this would be something to do every year". She also said "that it was fun to be out with my dad and I learned to keep my head down when shooting".

Each youth hunter participated in a hunter safety refresher, was able to shoot trap, and participate in a hunt with a dog, the dog handler and a field marshal for safety. The youth were shown how to safely carry and hold their firearms and were told when it was safe to shoot. Larry Miehls was one of the field marshals. "I was impressed with the kids and the safety training. They handled themselves really well in the field".

It was a good day all around.

Essex Youth Pheasant Hunt Committee, 2009-09-30

SUMMER SOLSTICE

ECSN's 4th Annual

Environmental Day

The Essex County Stewardship Network hosted our fourth annual open house in partnership with Sanson Estate Winery. The event this year was the best attended yet, with 245 people attending from all across Essex County. The weather was much more cooperative than last year's thunderstorms too!

Under the big tent were displays from many of our partners across the county including the Essex County Field Naturalists Club, the Citizen's Environment Alliance, the Detroit River Canadian Clean-up, and the Canada South Land Trust. The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources had two information booths dealing with invasive Phragmites control and Species at Risk. The Phragmites information was a big discussion point with many of the landowners who live along the River Canard. Queen's University Biology students were on hand again with a nice male Eastern Foxsnake: this was a big hit with all the children in attendance.

The highlight of the day was a Raptor demonstration by Predator Bird Services of London. Several eagles, hawks and owls entertained the crowd for 45 minutes, putting on a good air show. The close up flight of a young Bald Eagle was quite amazing for all who were there.

Attendees were also able to walk around local wetland projects to see how we are working with the landowners of Essex County.

Once again, special thanks to the staff of Sanson Estate Winery for all their help.

Most of all thanks to all the project owners who came out to talk with us about their stewardship experiences, without your interest and cooperation, our program would not be what it is today.

Click here to visit the main Ontario Stewardship Program homepage where you can access links to other Ontario Stewardship Councils and learn more about the Ontario Stewardship Program.