To whom it may concern,…

To whom it may concern,

Eleven years ago, a tornado ripped through our small community in one of Canada’s most biodiverse regions. The tornado took down thousands of mature oak and pine trees and understory trees and shrubs. Lakeshore Eco-Network (LEN) was formed as a response to ensure that residents were encouraged and supported to replant with native species. Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) supported the efforts of our small community group, providing trees and expertise.

Since then, LEN has grown and now provides a variety of education and awareness events, planting activities, and biannual native tree and plant sales. At every step along the way, ABCA has provided expertise, resources, and other practical support. The result: thousands of native trees and plants have been planted, and many people in our area have become more aware of the impact of the twin issues of biodiversity loss and climate change in our region.

I believe this is one of the many strengths of the current conservation authority system: local watershed-based organizations doing important work informed by local needs, often hand in hand with community groups. The combination of public agencies linked with local municipalities and citizen-led groups builds public support and surely has more impact than any province-wide bureaucracy alone. Can these relationships be maintained as conservation authorities are consolidated? Probably not.

That is why I am writing as Chair of Lakeshore Eco-Network to let you know that our organization does not support the proposed “Huron-Superior Regional Conservation Authority.” We urge you to rethink consolidation and consider maintaining the current watershed-based framework.