October 2003

Volume 7, #3

Pam has spent many years working as fisheries and area biologist with the Ministry of Natural Resources. She was program co-ordinator for the Rouge Park and now is a qualified mediator practicing in the Region of York. She is particularly interested in wetlands and is excited about the restoration, monitoring and education opportunities that the Dufferin Marsh presents. She has already finalised a home owners manual that will be distributed to the neighbourhood adjacent to the Marsh and is currently working with a consultant to begin the first phase of the Marsh restoration. She can be reached at the Township office on Tuesday and Wednesdays at (905) 833-5321.

Are You Confused?
People have been asking me to explain the difference between the Dufferin Marsh Committee and the Dufferin Marsh Collaborative.

The Dufferin Marsh Committee was begun in 1989 in response to the review of the Schomberg Community Plan. Members at that time were interested in having the Marsh recognised as a natural feature and to have appropriate policies in the plan. Since that time the group has continued to promote the wetland as an important natural amenity in the community resulting in the development of a management plan to protect and enhance the wetland. In 2000 the Dufferin Marsh Committee spearheaded an application to the Ontario Trillium Foundation to implement the management plan. As much of the land was owned by the Township of King, the Committee recognised the Township as an obvious partner. In the end several partners were brought on board and included the Dufferin Marsh Committee, the Township of King, the Lake Simcoe and Region Conservation Authority, the Schomberg Chamber of Commerce and the Schomberg Parks Committee. This group of organisations make up the Dufferin Marsh Collaborative. The Collaborative is responsible for overseeing the monies granted by the Ontario Trillium Foundation. The Dufferin Marsh Committee's role on the collaborative is critical for two main reasons:

• it is the non-profit group that qualifies the collaborative for funding under the rules of the Trillium grant;
• expertise within the group provides valuable background information and a strong vision for the protection of the wetland.

Activity Survey
The Dufferin Marsh Committee is looking for a new direction. Attached is a survey outlining potential activities that the Committee could offer to its members. Please complete the survey online. When you have answered the questions, just click on the "Send" button on the bottom of the page. No stamps needed!

2003/2004 Memberships
Attached is the new membership form for the 2003/2004 season. The rate remains at $10/individual or family. Your membership is very important to us. We are hoping to be able to offer a range of exciting activities through the next year. Please show your support by taking out a membership again this season.

Annual General Meeting
Please join us for the Annual General Meeting to be held on Thursday November 20th, 2003 at 8:00 pm in the front room at Dr. Dillaines Pub. There will be a short meeting to elect a new executive and review activities of the previous year, followed by a discussion of future activities. This is mostly a social event. No pressure. Bring a friend.

Dufferin Marsh Signs
One of the recent projects of the DMC is to make the presence of the Marsh more widely known in the local area. To this end, three signs will be erected this fall at the "gateways" to the Marsh. Two signs will be erected on Dr. Kay Drive. One will be close to Main St., the other at the junction of Cooper St. and Dr. Kay Drive. The third sign will be erected on Cooper St. just north of the Mason Homes development as the street enters the Marsh.

The signs are designed to catch the eyes of drivers, but contain enough information to be of interest to pedestrians. The colours chosen reflect the colours used for the posts and other features of the Schomberg Main St. Revitalisation project. We hope that these signs will help tie the Marsh to the rest of the community.

Dufferin Marsh Website
In addition to the signs, the Dufferin Marsh now has a web site. It contains our newsletters, information on upcoming events and background information on the Marsh. Please take a look at www.rockley.com/marsh.

DMC Executive

Chair	Mary Asseltine	905-939-7544
Vice Chair	Eric Leon	905-939-7809
Membership Secretary/Treasurer	Jill Kelly	905-939-2315
Recording Secretary	Sheila Kelly	905-939-2315
Parks Committee Liaison	Linda Cholmondeley	905-939-7079
Youth Committee Chair	Doug Vincent	905-939-2161