Chatham-Kent – The “Imagine McGregor” initiative has launched with the creation of its brand-new logo! The catch phrase “the creek connecting people & nature”, is a result of community participation through social media and members of the Rotary Club of Chatham Sunrise. ‘Imagine McGregor’ is a joint project with this Rotary Club.
Our brand-new logo with the community chosen caption, highlights everything we want to do! Spot the symbolism we have woven into it!
The ‘vision’ of the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority (LTVCA) is to create a healthy watershed and the ‘Imagine McGregor’ project is well underway. The McGregor Creek sub-watershed is the focus of community involvement to revitalize this waterway – creating, cleaning and caring for our local environment and habitats. Habitats restored in the McGregor Creek sub-watershed will act like filters before the water even enters the creek. For 2021-2022, we have habitat goals to establish wetlands, prairie and tree plantings. Historically, wetlands dominated the McGregor Creek sub-watershed landscape and we need to increase the amount of these habitat types. Wetlands will filter out excess nutrients and protect the aquatic ecosystem from spray residues. They will also reduce the amount of soil washed away with rain, which clouds up the waterways and carries even more nutrients. Natural habitats slow the flow of water into the creeks and drains, and allow it to soak into the ground. This can help reduce the frequency and severity of flooding that plagues this area. Our goal is to work towards ideal habitat levels, much higher than current levels, and gain momentum in the number of projects and project sizes as time goes on.
We want to heighten awareness of this project to both urban and rural residents of the McGregor Creek sub-watershed and empower them to contribute, even if on a small scale through community events!
Past Events:
- Trees planted with Rotary Club of Chatham Sunrise
- Prairie plugs rooted with Lake Morningstar community volunteers.
- Presentation at the Rotary Club of Chatham Sunrise BBQ
Upcoming Events:
- August 19, volunteers from the Children’s Treatment Centre to help maintain LTVCA Administration Building Native Gardens
- Fall planting of 30 large stock trees with Rotary Club of Chatham Sunrise
- Cultivation Conservation Tour on September 2, hosted by LTVCA Stewardship – registration/information: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/cultivating-conservation-tickets-164359619045?fbclid=IwAR3Ya_opMWaM5mBJN9OrsrZ8RzTGDwwJJc8EuVwhtHgu0PZvmOhNP_ddNPM
- Paddle cleanup of Thames River and McGregor Creek from the Thames Grove CA on September 25th
- Free large stock native trees for fall giveaways to McGregor Creek urban residents courtesy of the RTOERO
There will be more events and information to come so stay tuned!
For further information, contact:
Anastasia Heuvelmans – LTVCA Imagine McGregor Coordinator
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