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RURAL LANDOWNER STEWARDSHIP GUIDE for the Lake Huron Watershed. Self-assessment for your environmental performance as a property owner. RURAL LANDOWNER STEWARDSHIP GUIDE for the Ontario Landscape. Self-assessment for your environmental performance as a property owner. Agenda. Introduction
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RURAL LANDOWNER STEWARDSHIP GUIDE for theLake Huron Watershed Self-assessment for your environmental performance as a property owner
RURAL LANDOWNER STEWARDSHIP GUIDE for theOntario Landscape Self-assessment for your environmental performance as a property owner
Agenda • Introduction • Purpose of the Guide • Goals of the workshop • What’s in the Guide • How to work with the Guide • Worksheet and Action Plan (small groups) • Discussion (large group) • Evaluation and Commitment Forms
Purpose of the Guide • Help us understand how our actions affect the larger landscape. • Protect and enhance the quality of our natural environment. • By doing so, you will: • Help to conserve our natural & cultural heritage • Protect your investment as a property owner • Save time, money and frustration • To help YOU make a difference.
Goals of the Workshop • Begin to develop or expand environmental awareness. • Learn how we can improve our practices to mitigate negative impacts. • Work together to accomplish this. • Have fun!
What’s in the Guide? • Introduction to Local Ecology • What is a watershed? • Why should we be concerned? • Local scale features • The Workbook: • 14 different worksheets • Each worksheet asks you to rate your activities on your property.
Worksheet Themes • Getting to know your property • buying a rural property, construction • Water • wells, septic systems, runoff management • Gardening & Landscaping • water efficiency, buffers, trees, plant selection and use • Ecosystems & Wildlife • forest, stream/drain, wetland and meadow management • Miscellaneous • waste management, storage of fuels/chemicals, lowering your energy bill
How Does it Work? • Pick the worksheets that apply to your property. • Read the introductory page, then use the worksheet to rate the topics that apply to you. • For each topic, there are four conditions each having a rating (4 Best to 1 Poor). • Circle the condition that best describes your property and mark your rating in the box on the right hand side.
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5-5 67 Septic ? Find out where discharge goes 5-6 67 Septic 2 Wipe utensils
Your Turn! • Work through worksheet(s). • This is an individual assessment, but feel free to discuss potential action plan items with your group. • We will come back together to discuss action items.
Thanks for coming! Ashfield-Colborne Lakefront Association Ontario Farm Environmental Coalition