conservation halton

Message from Halton Medical Officer of Health November 19, 2020

Mike Cluett

From Halton Region Medical Officer of Health Dr Hamidah Meghani

With cases across the province, and in Halton, continuing to increase, we are clearly heading in the wrong direction. The region’s weekly incidence rate has gone from three confirmed cases per 100,000 people in early September to hovering around 55 per 100,000 by early November.

If we continue along this path, we could see more than a hundred cases per day in Halton before the holidays. This week, based on the thresholds outlined in the provincial COVID-19 Response Framework, Halton entered the province’s Red Control Level. In this level, there are additional measures that we all must follow.

In addition to the measures for business and workplaces, we all have to take personal responsibility and individual actions to get the virus under control. We know that social gatherings and non-essential group activities are a significant source of COVID-19 cases. We know that the virus spreads when people are in close contact and we know that it can be passed on by people without visible symptoms.

As a community, we need to act on this knowledge. Our individual actions can either stop the spread of COVID-19, or lead to some devastating consequences. We have a choice right now Halton.

Please: – Stay home, except for essential purposes such as going to work or school, buying groceries, and attending medical appointments. And, please only send one person from your household out for errands. – Stick with our household only. Maintain a physical distance of two metres or six feet from those outside your household. For those who live alone, you may include essential supports or join a designated household. – Stop all in-person social gatherings such as play dates, birthday parties, and dinner and holiday parties with friends or family.

Have the courage to politely decline if you are invited to such a gathering The past months of isolation, worry, and lifestyle changes have taken a toll on all of us. I realize that these recommended measures are difficult. Know that the actions of each and every individual matter a great deal. By taking these actions now so we can prevent a worse scenario. To learn more about actions you can take, the situation in Halton, and what it means to be in the Red Control zone, visit halton.ca/COVID19. If you have specific questions about the Red Control zone, contact the provincial Stop the Spread Business Information Line (at 1-888-444-3659). Thank you for doing your part.

Trees For Watershed Health – Conservation Halton

Mike Cluett

At our last council meeting on Monday there was a report from the Halton Regional Police Service and they updated town council on their endeavours to keep the residents in the town informed of programs and initiatives.  I was very happy to hear this and I have been impressed by their communication plans and urged the Town of Milton to do what we can to help “spread the word” 

This not only goes for the Halton Police Services but for all aspects in the town’s business and programs.

In that light the Town of Milton has announced on its website some information about a Conservation Halton event called the “Trees for Watershed Health” where residents can get involved in planting trees.  Councillor Cindy Lunau also brought this up during the last council meeting and urged Miltonians to get involved in this venture.  This year they will be planting 4,000 trees by Kelso Park.

Here is some information from the Conservation Halton website that has details on how you can get involved on Saturday April 30th, rain or shine to help plant trees and help improve the area.

You can register by clicking HERE.

Each year Conservation Halton hosts a public tree planting event on or around Earth Day as part of its Trees for Watershed Health Program. All watershed residents regardless of age or skill level can participate and help our local environment. So whether you are a veteran tree planter or just starting out, this program has something for everyone.

The 2011 tree planting event is in partnership with the Town of Milton and takes place Saturday, April 30, 2011, starting at 9 a.m. at the Kelso Quarry Park, which is located in Milton. Conservation Halton needs over 400 volunteers to come out and plant approximately 4,000 trees, rain or shine.

Volunteers need to bring their own shovel and ensure they are dressed appropriately for the weather – hat, shoes or boots (no sandals),  sunscreen (if necessary). Following the planting a delicious barbecue lunch will be provided.

This is an excellent opportunity for you, as a volunteer, to see a unique and picturesque section of the Halton watershed and lend a hand in its renaturalization for the enjoyment of our children and grandchildren. Volunteer and community service hours are available for high school students who register and participate in the event. Volunteers are asked to register by Tuesday, April 26. 

Registration for the 2011 Tree Planting Event is now OPEN. 

Conservation Halton is partnering with the Town of Milton on Trees for Watershed Health for the next two years. The Town received a two-year grant through Hydro One’s Biodiversity Initiative to enhance Milton’s natural habitat. The Town of Milton chose to partner with Conservation Halton to hold a volunteer tree planting event as part of its focus on environmental and sustainability initiatives. Trees for Watershed Health supports the Town’s goal to provide a thriving natural environment that is a valued community asset to be protected, maintained and enjoyed.

The forests of Conservation Halton’s watershed provide habitat for a myriad of wildlife species. They also provide ecosystem functions such as cleaning the air, purifying water and storing carbon along with providing places of unparalleled beauty for us all to enjoy. Protecting existing forests and increasing forest cover is an important aspect of sustaining the health of the watershed. 

The Trees for Watershed Health planting event provides an opportunity for watershed residents to take part in the transformation of marginal parklands into an area with healthy and abundant forest cover. This will help to offset the negative impacts of climate change in our watershed, while increasing biodiversity in the park. The site is ideally located adjacent to Kelso Conservation Area. The Quarry is a fantastic location to continue our public tree planting program and provides important green space for both Conservation Halton and the Town of Milton.