The Lake Huron Centre For Coastal Conservation
Advocating Wise Stewardship of Lake Huron's Coastal Ecosystems

2009 Year In Review


Here’s what we’ve been up to this year ...

 

The Coastal Centre administered the Lake Huron Piping Plover Guardian program. Three nesting pairs of this endangered shorebird took up residence at Sauble Beach in the spring of 2009. Nine offspring successfully fledged, thanks to the help of around 100 volunteer “guardians” who helped protect the nests from April to August, until the birds fledged the nests.





The non-native invasive grass Common Reed (Phragmites australis) continues to be a major threat to native coastal plants and habitat. The Coastal Centre continues to provide leadership in research and education on Phragmites and its control.

The Centre held a workshop on April 3, 2009 inviting experts in the field to present to interested agencies and stakeholders. Over 100 delegates from around the Province came to the workshop in Southampton, ON.

The Coastal Centre is developing a program to recognize rural coastal areas doing exceptional work in coastal stewardship.  Beaches applying for the Green Ribbon designation will be required to meet certain standards in coast care in order to qualify.  The program should be available in 2010.

Engaged by the Friends of Oliphant Coastal Environments, the Coastal Centre initiated the development of the Oliphant Coastal Stewardship Plan to help protect Alvar, Coastal Meadow Marsh and Dune Grasslands ecosystems at Oliphant, ON.

Several Species at Risk make the Oliphant coast home, including the Dwarf Lake Iris, Tuberous Indian Plantain, Eastern Massasauga, Spotted Turtle and Monarch Butterfly. The Piping Plover successfully nested at Oliphant in 2008.

The major threats to Oliphant’s coast are human activities that damage the fragile habitat, and the invasive non-native plant Phragmites.  The Coastal Centre is working with  graduate students from the University of Guelph’s School of Environmental Design to look at options to protect this coastal area, but also permit appropriate public use of the shore.

 

In 2009, the Coastal Centre published it’s “Stewardship Guide for Lake Huron Coastal Dunes” written by Tara Callaghan. The guide is intended for people interested in caring for native dune ecosystems, preventing wind erosion and sand drifting on their lakeshore property, and dealing with invasive non-native plants that threaten the health of our coastal environment.

Dunes comprise just over 3% of Lake Huron’s entire coast. Uncontrolled human activity is threatening these fragile ecosystems and their rare plant and animal communities.  Wise stewardship can pull these systems back from the brink.

For a copy, contact the Coastal Centre.

Other work in 2009 …

  • Hosted the second “Caring for Our Beaches” conference in Midland, ON.
  • Participate on Huron County Water Protection Steering Committee.
  • Coastal management presentation to residents and stakeholders in Oliphant, ON.
  • Participate as Regional Juror for the International ‘Blue Flag’  beach management program.
  • Development of a brochure on Phragmites australis for public education on the threat and control options.
  • Update to the Centre’s dune ecosystems education kit.
  • Participate on the Pine River Watershed Improvement Network in Huron-Kinloss.
  • Participate on the MVCA Shoreline Working Group.
  • Advisor to Pitcher’s Thistle-Dune Grasslands Recovery Team.
  • Continue to develop an information rich and interactive website.
  • Coastal advisor to CA partners.
  • Advise participating municipalities concerning local coastal issues.
  • Regular media interviews on Lake Huron issues.



Centre Mission:

Providing leadership and expertise, in collaboration with partners, to achieve a healthy Lake Huron coastal ecosystem.

Little Help from our Friends ...

Thanks to all those who assisted the Coastal Centre this year to advance the cause of coastal conservation.

  • Saugeen Conservation
  • Maitland Valley Conservation Authority
  • Town of Saugeen Shores
  • Town of Kincardine
  • Township of Huron-Kinloss
  • Township of Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh
  • Town of Goderich
  • Central Huron Township
  • Town of Wasaga Beach
  • Wasaga Beach Provincial Park
  • Township of Tiny
  • Habitat Stewardship Program (Environment Canada)
  • Invasive Alien Species Partnership Program
  • Lake Huron Southeast Shore Working Group
  • Friends of Oliphant Coastal Environments
  • Lake Huron Pitcher’s Thistle-Dune Grasslands Recovery Team
  • Ontario Power Generation
  • Lurgan Beach Association
  • Private donors







Next page: 2008 - 10 Years of Coastal Stewardship
Previous page: Years In Review

The Lake Huron Centre for Coastal Conservation The Lake Huron Centre for Coastal Conservation
P.O. Box 178,
Blyth, Ontario, Canada
N0M 1H0
Phone: (519) 523-4478
Email: coastalcentre@lakehuron.on.ca