Middle Maitland Rejuvenation Committee

The Middle Maitland Rejuvenation Committee is a local volunteer group working to improve water quality and stream flow in the Middle Maitland River. The MMRC is also working to improve the health of the river for aquatic life.

Since 2000 the MMRC has undertaken a variety of activities including water quality sampling, surveying of landowners, the distribution of information newsletters and hosting public meetings.

Taking Action

The MMRC believes strongly in taking action to meet its goals. The Committee has worked with partners on a variety of projects including:

1. Berlett Planting Project

• Retirement of over 20 acres of floodplain
• Extensive tree and shrub planting
• Much of the funding for this project was provided by the Perth-Oxford-Middlesex Clean Water Project

2. Byman Floodplain Naturalization Project

• Creation of small wetlands to collect runoff from adjacent fields
• Native trees and shrubs have been planted around the wetlands
• Monitoring of water quality as it enters the wetlands and again as it enters the river

3. Listowel Memorial Park Naturalization Project

• Natural buffer created around the pond to reduce erosion and keeping geese off the trails
• A 1 km stretch has been naturalized on both sides of the river
• Volunteers have planted over 50,000 native wildflowers and grasses, 1200 shrubs and 100 trees

4. Assessment of the Middle Maitland River Channel

• River channel conditions assessed focusing on channel stability, function and stream health.
• Inventory of culverts and livestock crossings
• Results of study presented to local landowners

5. Annual River Clean Up Day

• For several years the MMRC has hosted a River Clean Up Day in April with assistance from the Municipality of North Perth.

6. Review of the Listowel Park Dam

• Recently the MMRC has been working with the Municipality of North Perth and the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority to consider the possible removal of the dam at Listowel Memorial Park and the naturalization of the floodplain. Removing the dam would help restore the natural flow of the river, lower the temperature of the water and reduce algae growth.
• Currently the MMRC is working to gather more information on the costs associated with removing the dam and possible design options for naturalizing the floodplain.

7. Park Kiosk - watch for the unveiling in September 2008!

• The MMRC is developing a display for a new information kiosk that has been built in Listowel Memorial Park.

You Can Help

• The MMRC welcomes new volunteers. There are several ways you can get involved:
• Assist with planting and upkeep work at the park naturalization project.
• If you are a rural landowner consider implementing water quality projects on your property. Contact Doug Hocking at the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority office (519 335-3557) for information on current grant programs.
• Donate to the Middle Maitland projects.

For more information about the MMRC contact Doug Grant, Chair at 519 291-9152 or any of the Committee members:

• Carl Armstrong
• Matt Ash, Municipality of North Perth
• Phil Beard, Maitland Valley Conservation Authority
• Julie Behrns, Deputy Mayor - Municipality of North Perth
• Mark Bowman
• Russ Danbrook
• Kim Delaney
• Dave Galloway
• George Gracey
• Doug Grant, Chair
• Eric Hewison
• Lloyd Karges
• Lloyd Knoblauch
• Rob Leach
• Howard Mitchell
• Dennis Rabideau
• Fern Schwartzentruber
• Shirley Woods
• Brian Wretham