​PRWIN presents awards of merit during Ripley-Huron Fall Fair

The Pine River Watershed Initiative Network (PRWIN) presented its environmental awards of merit, recognizing local landowners and volunteers who have helped the organization in its mission of “clean water and a healthy eco-system within the Pine River watershed.”

The awards were presented during the Ripley-Huron Fall Fair, Friday night, at the ambassador pageant.

Director Angela Thompkins noted several opportunities that PRWIN has had to connect with local youth.

The Ripley 4-H Conservation Club and PRWIN worked to organize the 4-H Volunteer Tree-Planting Day at Pine River Cheese. The 4-H club, along with the Kinetic Knights Robotics Team, Kincardine Scouts, Sawjan Samanvay Sanatan Centre, and PRWIN families, hand-planted more than 2,000 seedlings at Pine River Cheese.

This spring, PRWIN chairman David Grant was honoured to be a guest speaker at the Ripley 4-H Conservation Club environmental meeting, held at the McLarty Centre. He shared the history of PRWIN and details of what a watershed is all about and how the system works.

In celebration of Earth Day, PRWIN was invited to the Ripley-Huron Community School Earth Day assembly to share with students its programs, initiatives and opportunities for students within the community.

This year, the Ripley and District Horticultural Society’s “For Our Youth” Club, the Ripley 4-H Conservation Club, Ripley Summer Wolf Club Camp and Ripley-Huron Community School visited the McLarty Centre to explore nature, and enjoy the wetland ponds and walking trails along the river flats.

The PRWIN recognizes the following recipients who gave their time, efforts and support to complete reforestation projects with the watershed.

RIPLEY 4-H CONSERVATION CLUB LEADER/VOLUNTEER EMILY NEITZEL

Emily Neitzel (right, with PRWIN director Angela Thompkins) has been involved in 4-H for a number of years with her children as participants, and for the past five years as a leader of the Ripley 4-H Conservation Club. She truly enjoys spending time in nature, often on horseback with friends and family.

She often comments about how good it feels to be able to give back to the community by participating in tree-planting with PRWIN, and being able to watch the trees grow, knowing that she has played a part in getting them into the ground. Thank you, Emily, for your ongoing participation and leadership.










 

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RIPLEY 4-H CONSERVATION CLUB MEMBER JASMIN SCHIESTEL

Jasmin Schiestel is a long-time 4-H’er who is a new senior member of the Ripley 4-H Conservation Club. She has lots of questions and knowledge to share that really help at the meetings to create conservation and share ideas.

Her enjoyment of learning and her help with younger members is greatly appreciated. Thank you, Jasmin, for all your hard work within your club activities, and volunteering your time to assist PRWIN with the in-ground planting sessions in the spring.



PRWIN director Angela Thompkins (left) presents an award of merit to Jasmin Schiestel; photos by Liz Dadson
 

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RIPLEY AND DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY’S “FOR OUR YOUTH” CLUB

The Ripley and District Horticultural Society’s “For Our Youth” Club focuses on teaching children horticultural skills, appreciation of the natural world, and community involvement.

For the past 10 years, the club’s leaders have been working with school-aged children to take plants from seed to the kitchen. More than 30 members participate in monthly meetings that are filled with crafts, growing projects and outdoor activities that encourage involvement with the Ontario Horticultural Association (OHA), the Ripley Horticultural Society flower show, the Ripley-Huron Fall Fair, the Bruce Botanical Food Gardens, and PRWIN, all while having fun.

Leader Heather Newman (right, with director Angela Thompkins) attended the OHA Convention in Ottawa this summer where she received her OHA Youth Leader Award. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the club and PRWIN is excited to share this milestone with “For Our Youth.”