Adam Prudhomme
Editor
Friends of Wilton Creek Watershed (FWCW) will hold its premier meeting on May 11, inviting anyone interested in the area’s conservation to Wilton Hall from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Those interested in joining the volunteer group will have the opportunity to learn what they have planned for the body of water.
“Friends of Wilton Creek Watershed follows the same model as other ones in the neighbourhood like the Napanee River and the Salmon River,” said Adele Crowder, one of the group’s founding members. “They’re obviously much larger systems. But we have not only Wilton Creek but Spring Creek and Big Creek in the watershed. They’re sub watersheds but they all go into Hay Bay.”
Starting off the group’s introductory meeting will be a talk from Marilyn Murray, chairperson of the Lennox and Addington Stewardship Council. She’ll speak to the importance of environmental groups such as the newly formed FWCW, as well as touch upon some of the steps the council is taking to keep Wilton Creek safe.
“Mainly where Wilton Creek is concerned (the L&A Stewardship Council) have been encouraging tree planting and natural vegetation around the creek,” said Crowder.
Also speaking will be Steve Pitt, a recently retired stewardship coordinator with the Ministry of Natural Resources.
“I think we could say he’s walked every inch up and down the watershed, which probably no one else has done,” Crowder said of Pitt. “He was responsible for a lot of programs with the MNR to improve the creek.”
Pitt will speak to some of the programs available for land owners within the creek’s watershed.
Along with the guest speakers, the meeting will include a display of maps that highlight the importance of the creek. Local musician Andrew Mack will also be on hand to provide some entertainment.
With two sources at Knowlton Lake and a bog in Harrowsmith, Wilton Creek is a complicated system with several small creeks attached to it. Anything that gets added to the creek will eventually work its way to Hay Bay and potentially have damaging effects on an important area for migratory shore birds. Along the way the water is also used to supply upwards of 1,000 wells and septic systems.
“The immediate thing that everyone can do is to make sure no junk or plastic bags get into the system,” said Crowder. “This is something everybody can do in their own little bit.”
Wilton Hall is located at 251 Simmons Road in Wilton. For more on the group contact FriendsOfWiltonCreek@Gmail.com.