Several Erin residents were recognized by Credit Valley Conservation (CVC) for contributions to the environment and the watershed.
The environmental advisory Ccommittee of Erin (EACoE) is receiving a certificate of merit for organizing the annual Town of Erin Clean-up Day since 2003.
The CVC is recognizing the leadership of Mary Shields and Kathy Venneman in the clean-up day, which “has provided an excellent focus for community environmental efforts.”
Receiving a CVC award of distinction, which recognizes those whose projects or activities will provide long-term benefits and also reflects a significant contribution of personal time and or resources, are Rob Smith, of Erin Auto Recyclers, and Ruth Barbour and Doug Jackson.
Erin Auto Recyclers
The citation stated, “As a small business, Erin Auto Recyclers has worked with CVC to protect the Town of Erin’s municipal water supply.
“Erin Auto Recyclers are located within a highly vulnerable source water protection area. Rob Smith had a pollution prevention review done for his business. Since then he has decommissioned his well and replaced his septic system.
In a proactive measure to stop ditch dumping as a result of closing the Hillsburgh transfer station, Erin Auto Recyclers became a registered tire collector and ewaste site. It began accepting waste from the public.
“Erin Auto Recyclers is being recognized for their proactive efforts in protecting Erin’s municipal water supply.”
Barbour and Jackson
According to the CVC, “As landowners Ruth Barbour and Doug Jackson worked with CVC to make numerous environmental improvements on their new farm property. Farmable areas with the least amount of environmental risk were identified. To protect the West Credit, bridge crossings were installed so machinery would not have to drive directly through the stream, disrupting the stream bed and banks.
“CVC’s Forestry department planted over 6,000 trees to protect and buffer natural watercourses on the property, protect wetland pockets and buffer the main pond and field edges. Buffer strips have been left between the farm fields and streams.
“This area will serve as wildlife habitat and act as a filter, removing sediment or nutrients.”