The first Scott Beemer Nature Award was recently presented to the Eden Mills Eramosa River Conservation Association (EMERCA) in recognition of their work to naturalize the opening of the weir at the head of the East Branch of the Eramosa River in 2020. Marilyn Baxter, EMERCA’s President (pictured above), accepted the award on behalf of the Association.
The weir was impeding the movement of fish and potentially damaging downstream habitats by restricting water flow during the summer. Native plants were rescued and replanted at the site and volunteers prepared the site for construction. Now, a fully functional, maintenance-free boulder opening connects the upper pond with the lower reaches of the river, maintaining a healthy aquatic habitat while protecting property downstream from increased risk of flooding. This project connects the residents of Eden Mills with nature and protects the natural habitat and river system.
Honorable Mention goes to Denise Fell for her commitment to nature education and her tireless work as Social Media and Publicity Coordinator for Nature Guelph. Thanks to her efforts, Nature Guelph’s Facebook page now has nearly 3,500 followers and the Guelph Nature Community Facebook page has grown to over 1,370 members. In addition to growing our online community, Denise helps enhance all our communication initiatives.