The Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority's Communications Specialist says the guest speaker at this year's Partner Appreciation Evening presented an interesting perspective on climate change.
Tim Cumming explains University of Guelph Emeritus Professor Trevor Dickinson compared the impact of climate change on urban centres and rural communities.
He pointed out that in urban areas the presence of more roads, sidewalks, pavement in general as well as ditches, provide avenues for runoff that don't exist in rural areas where that water is absorbed by the land.
"The difference in flooding and stream flow was quite pronounced. It's something you don't always think about in terms of when you create a lot of roads and ditches and you make it easy for the water to run off in an urban area, that contributes to stream flow and flooding."
He also pointed out that while we consider most of our area to be rural, we do also have towns and villages so we need to consider the consequences.
"We need to think about what adding a lot of pavement and streets and ditches does and in terms of planning. Municipalities will need to consider this research in terms of looking at what green space they can build in."
ABCA Conservationist of the Year Award winners Koos and Nathalie Vermue from the Bayfield area (Bob Montgomery photo)
The evening also included the awarding of 'Conservationist of the Year', and that went to Koos and Nathalie Vermue, from the Bayfield area.
Tim Cumming says they were truly deserving of the award for all of the things they do as stewards of the land as well as educators of best management practices to people outside of agriculture and helping with soil and water research.
