Eco-Conference examines conservation efforts

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Flood management and climate change are just a couple of the topics planned for this year’s Eco Conference, sponsored by the Brant Rod and Gun Club.

The eighth edition of the conference takes place Feb. 29 at the club at 54 Henderson Rd., which runs between Mill Street and Bishopsgate Road, north of Highway 53/Colborne Street,  near Burford.

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Doors open for registration at 8:30 a.m. The event is free and no pre-registration is required.

The event’s theme is “conservation in your backyard and beyond,” said Bruce Hill, of the club’s conference organizing committee

“We’re trying to encourage people to look around and see what’s happening in their environment and what they can do to help,” said Hill.

Following opening remarks by local dignitaries, the conference will feature Graham Buck, a Ministry of Natural Resources forestry biologist, who is an expert on tall grass prairies and savannas. He will speak about landscaping for wildlife.

The morning session also includes Ian Fife, an avian ecologist and Ontario Forest Birds Program co-ordinator for Birds Canada. He will speak about at-risk forest birds and how conservation can help them survive.

Dwight Boyd, of the Grand River Conservation Authority, will speak about flood management. Tom Sitak, a teacher at Pauline Johnson Collegiate, and some of his environmental program students will team up with Patti Ronald, of the Ducks Unlimited, to talk about how to conserve wood ducks.

The conference features a lunch and tours of the club’s hatchery, as well as displays from various groups and agencies, including the Brant County Woodlot Owners’ Association, the GRCA and the Mohawk Lake – Brownfield Committee.

There also will be displays about honey and bees and the giant hogweed.

The afternoon session includes presentations by Dan McKay, project co-ordinator Thompson Creek Restoration Project in Haldimand County; Grant Linney, Climate Change and Our Global Backyard; Larry Halyk, climate change in your backyard, temperature trends in Whiteman Creek.

Paul Fortier, of Brantford Fly Tyers Group, will conduct a fly-tying workshop following the formal presentations.

To learn more about the club visit https://brgc.ca/ .