Saturating the Message of Water Conservation Pam Lancaster, B.Sc., Stewardship Technician Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority 20 th Annual A.D. Latornell Conservation Symposium November 20, 2013
Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority Formed in 1946 Population of ~60,000 7 member municipalities 935 km 2 : 5 main watersheds and 4 groupings Authority of thirds: agriculture, natural, urban Own and operate the Ganaraska Forest and Forest Centre
Clean Water Healthy Land In 2009 the Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority partnered with Lakefront Utility Services Inc. and the Town of Cobourg to deliver the Clean Water-Healthy Land within the Town of Cobourg. This program assists with implementation of the Cobourg Creek Watershed Plan and complements future implementation under the Ganaraska Source Protection Plan. $20,000.00: administration, communications/education, landowner funding, community projects, and demonstration projects.
Successes Newsletters in water bills Yellow Fish Road Funded well and septic* projects, and school yard greening Community outreach through local events Get Out and Get Active contest Earth day celebrations (plantings and clean-up) Partnered with Go Green Together on local rain barrel sales Press release series *funded through ODWSP
Town of Cobourg Water Conservation Garden The purpose of the garden is to educate local residents about the municipal drinking water system, water conservation gardening, backyard BMPs using native plants, and water conservation techniques and products. Located at the corner of Ewart Street and Division Street LUSI water booster station and workshop.
Clean Water - Healthy Land
1. Main Garden Walkway Provides an entrance way to the garden. Utilizes an existing user created path. Showcases permeable concrete (hydromedia) which can be used in stormwater management.
Educational Tool of the Walkway Hydromedia rapidly directs stormwater off paved surfaces while minimizing surface runoff, increasing groundwater recharge, and reducing pollution in stormwater. This new product can be used for streets, parking surface, driveways and walkways. To increase the awareness of this product a demonstration day was held on May 23, 2012 as the product was being installed. 52 engineers, contractors and planners were in attendance.
Partnerships in the Walkway Behan Construction Cobourg Ready Mix Lafarge North America Port Hope Concrete Added value: Lafarge North America donated half of the cost of the hydromedia.
2. Garden Shelter Provides a spot for visitors to rest. A location for interpretive signage. To be used as a venue for workshops and other education events.
Educational Tool of the Shelter The GRCA approached CDCI East STICS program to construct the shelter. The STICS (Skilled Trades Internship in Construction Systems) program prepares students for employment or an apprenticeship in the construction industry. 11 students and their teacher are working on the construction of the shelter. Partnered with Lang Construction to install the steel roof with the STICS students. Rain barrel demonstration site.
Partnerships in the Shelter Behan Construction CDCI East STICS Dobri Engineering Lakefront Utility Services Inc. Lang Construction Paul Poole Port Hope Concrete RONA Scepter Corporation Union Gas Limited Added value: STICS program donated time and labour to construct the shelter. Lang Construction donating a staff person to assist in installing the steel roof. Union Gas Limited through The Spectra Energy Foundation donated $2,000.00 towards the construction of the shelter. Lakefront Utility Services staff installed the conduit for power and lighting to the shelter. Dobri Engineering donated design of the shelter. Scepter Corporation donated 2 rain barrels.
3. Garden Paths Garden paths constructed with another demonstration product Eco Grid. Showcases a homeowner installable product. Supports a local growing green business.
Educational Tool of the Garden Paths Provides options for landowners to implement low impact design on their own property. Featured on CHEX TV. Partnerships in the Garden Paths
4. Gardens Focal point of the Water Conservation Garden. Showcases native and heritage plants that are drought tolerant and hardy. To date over 700 flowers and shrubs representing 51 native species have been planted. Garden themes: drought tolerant, pollinator friendly, shrubs, and winter interest.
Educational Tool of the Gardens Volunteers have been involved in the planting of the garden. This will allow for an immediate transfer of knowledge of the native plants that can be used at home. Visitors can see what plants and shrubs have been used in the garden and can view them in bloom and in other seasons. Visitors can view pollinators in action. 18 different species were documented using the garden in August 2013.
Partnerships in the Garden CDCI East and community volunteers Grow Wild and Pineneedle Farms Home Depot Lakefront Utility Services Inc. NatureScape Town of Cobourg (Public Works, and Parks and Recreation) Union Gas Limited Cobourg Added value: Union Gas Limited staff volunteered their time and equipment through the Helping Hands in Action program to strip the area for the gardens. Town of Cobourg provided the topsoil and helped to form the beds. Free river rock provided by the GRCA to outline the one bed. Home Depot donated the garden shed that CDCI East students assembled. Community donated garden tools.
5. Signage Ties the garden and water conservation messaging together 8 signs covering water conservation topics 4 signs demonstrating water treatment process 1 welcome sign
Educational Tool of the Signage Educational signage installed to inform residents on the types of plants showcased in the garden, their habitats, uses and tolerance level to water use. Signage clarifies facts and myths regarding the use of native plants (e.g., goldenrod), ecological benefits of plant and their role in the water cycle. Signage topics: rain barrels, permeable ground coverings, native flora, pollinators, water treatment process
Partnerships in the Signage Lakefront Utility Services Inc. Electrical Division Kupke Metal Works Beyond Signs and Design Graham Moore (retired landscape architect) RBC Blue Water Project Added value: Lakefront Utility Services Inc. donated time and equipment to drill hoes for sign posts. Received $5000 from RBC Blue Water Project for signage
Grand Opening June 14, 2013
Costs Total costs paid (before HST and funding) $32,805.65 Permeable Concrete Walkway $11,000 Shelter $8,000 Signage $6,200 Eco-grid Walkway $3,000 Gardens $2,800 Funding received from grants: $7,000 Costs Savings from donations/in-kind ~$20,000 Total Project Cost: ~$43,000.00 (not including GRCA staff time)
Early Results Lots of community buzz about the garden Inquiries on permeable concrete Frequent visitors to the garden Ownership by the Town of Cobourg and Lakefront Utility Services Inc.
Next Steps Integrate new bike trail into garden 2014 plant sale/give away 2014 workshops Increase communication on garden Incorporate a granting program into the community New demonstrations rain gardens, infiltration ditch, naturalization
Evolution of the Garden
Questions? Pam Lancaster, Stewardship Technician Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority 2216 County Road 28 Port Hope, ON L1A 3V8 905-885-8173 x 247 plancaster@grca.on.ca www.grca.on.ca