NVCA’s 60th AGM was all about the unique position of conservation authorities

Scene from NVCA video 

News release from the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority

The Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority (NVCA) held its 60th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on January 24, 2020. Keith White, Councillor for the Town of Essa, was elected as Chair, Mariane McLeod, Councillor at the Town of Collingwood was elected as Vice-Chair, and George Watson, Councillor at the Town of Wasaga Beach accepted his role as Past Chair.

“For the last 60 years, the NVCA has been protecting people, property and the environment by providing important and specialized technical services to our watershed,” said Councillor Keith White. “The NVCA continues to play a critical role in managing this watershed as we face unprecedented pressures from population growth and associated land development, all the while adjusting to the realities of climate change. I look forward to working with our member municipalities, county partners, provincial and federal governments and all other stakeholders, as we continue to support integrated watershed management.”

In her nomination speech, Councillor Mariane McLeod said she doesn’t bring a ton of experience to the role of the Vice-Chair, but will bring the work ethic of a farm girl, curiosity of a journalist and the enthusiasm of a fly fisher to the work of the NVCA.

“I can offer no guarantees about the stand I will take on issues that have not yet been identified,” said McLeod. “But I do guarantee I will relentlessly advocate for the continued existence and reasonable mandate of conservation authorities in general and the NVCA in particular.”

Jack Imhof, keynote speaker for the AGM, delivered a strong message about the importance of integrated watershed management. Conservation authorities are in a unique position to increase the functions of the watershed and to build resiliency so that we are able to cope with future extreme weather, drought and flooding brought by a changing climate. NVCA staff also produced a video about how various departments at the conservation authority work together to achieve integrated watershed management.