Community stewardship is taking action to protect the value of soil, water and air.
Good stewardship takes action for the common good of society and the environment.
The purpose of the Stewardship Program is to bring community members together to promote stewardship on public and private lands.
We invite you to discover what the Haldimand Stewardship Council is all about.
There are also two community groups initiated by the Stewardship Council.
Haldimand Woodlot Owners' Association (HAWOA), a group that provides education and assistance to woodlot and non-woodlot owners.
The Haldimand & Area Woodlot Owners' Association (HAWOA) was established in 1997 to encourage the development, improvement and active management of private woodlots. The long-term goals are to increase the forest cover in Haldimand County and to establish corridors for wildlife.
For more information visit their website at
To put it simply, Community Stewardship is people working with people to build a better quality of life for us and for the future of our children.
Background
In Haldimand County, the Ontario Stewardship Program began in 1996 with the Haldimand Stewardship Council. The Council is made up of 8-16 community leaders who recognize, and can influence local involvement and interest in land stewardship.
Council members include farmers, woodlot owners, cottagers, naturalists and industry people.
The Council is assisted in its work with the support of an Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources Stewardship Coordinator.
The Haldimand Stewardship Council provides a forum to foster stewardship, promote responsible resource management by landowners and land interests, and seeks funding opportunities to support their activities.
The Council formed several partner groups such as the Haldimand & Area Woodlot Owners Association and Habitat Haldimand. The development of partnerships with groups like the Grand Erie District School Board, The Haldimand Association for the Developmentally Challenged, Girl Guides, Haldimand 4H and others has helped to ensure the success of a number of community projects.
How can you become involved?
There are many ways in which you can support the work of the Haldimand Stewardship Council:
- Volunteer to work with one of our partner groups
- Care for Your Piece of Haldimand
- Promote land stewardship to your friends and neighbors
Visions and Principles
The Vision is to bring community members together to promote resource stewardship on public and private lands.
The Haldimand Stewardship Council respects the following Principles:
- The Council jointly involves landowners and land interests to promote land Stewardship initiatives
- The Council respects land ownership (i.e. the rights of the landowner to manage their land)
- Landowners and those with an interest in the land can participate in the council at a community level
- The council encouraging resource agencies to work together to provide complementary services and support to landowners while avoiding duplication