NEWS RELEASE
LAKE SIMCOE REGION CONSERVATION AUTHORITY
****************************
At its 73rd Annual General Meeting, Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority board members and staff closed out the business of 2023 and officially launched the business of 2024 with the election of a new chair and vice chair.
One of the meeting highlights was a presentation by Dr. Brian Ginn on the health of Lake Simcoe.
Dr. Ginn emphasized the importance of taking a holistic view and considering the many indicators of lake health.
“Much like when we go to the doctor, there are many indicators, such as blood pressure, vitamin and mineral levels, weight, and much more that are factored into being given a clean bill of health. Lake Simcoe is no different,” he told the board. “Lake health can’t just be determined based on phosphorus levels, or any other one indicator. We need to continue to measure and monitor many factors, and then adapt our management decisions based on our findings.”
Chief administrative officer Rob Baldwin highlighted that some significant work was completed in 2023, to transition and implement recent changes made to the Conservation Authorities Act. He also introduced a year-in-review video compilation, highlighting noteworthy achievements.
To view the 2023 year-in-review video the metrics and infographic, please visit the website.
Annually, the board of directors elects a chair and a vice chair and after five and three years respectively in their positions, chair Wayne Emmerson, chairman and chief executive officer of the Region of York, and vice chair Bradford Coun. Peter Ferragine both stepped aside to usher in new members to these posts.
Barrie Coun. Clare Riepma was elected chair, and Oro-Medonte Mayor Randy Greenlaw was elected to the position of vice chair.
Both expressed their gratitude to the rest of the board for their trust and support, and their enthusiasm for the work that lies in the year ahead.
The outgoing chair, Wayne Emmerson, thanked board members and the staff of the conservation authority for their hard work and their support.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed chairing this board,” he said. “I always knew the conservation authority did great work, but as the chair, I had the opportunity to see firsthand the tremendous knowledge, skill, and determination these folks apply to preserving and improving the health of the lake and the watershed. We’re privileged to have an organization like this working behind the scenes.”
Peter Ferragine also thanked the board and staff, saying, “I have been a long-standing member of this board and as vice chair over the last three years, I’ve had the opportunity to get more involved and lend my support for the significant conservation and restoration work that the team at the conservation authority are continuously implementing. I’m proud to continue on the board, and to offer up my experience and counsel to the new chair and vice chair.”
The Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority’s mission is to collaborate to protect and restore the Lake Simcoe watershed with innovative research, policy, and action.
****************************
