South Nation Conservation (SNC) held its Annual General Meeting at its office in Finch on March 21st, 2024. The meeting highlighted key moments of SNC’s 76th year within the 2023 Annual Report, held the election of the SNC Board Executive for 2024-25 and confirmed the membership and Chair of the new Watershed Advisory Committee.
The Board Executive was unanimously elected to serve for the 2024-25 term: Steve Densham, Deputy Mayor of North Stormont, was elected as Chair, Adrian Wynands, Deputy Mayor of Augusta Township, was elected as Vice-Chair and Pierre Leroux, Mayor of Russell Township was confirmed as Past-Chair.
Composed of 12 members appointed by member municipalities, SNC’s Board of Directors oversees the Authority’s budget, programs, and services, and works alongside staff to guide and implement local conservation initiatives. Of SNC’s $9.2 million 2024 Budget, approximately 48% comes from a municipal levy collected from 16 member municipalities.
“It is an honour to be entrusted with the position of Chair during SNC’s 77th year of conservation, and I look forward to building on the successful municipal-conservation authority partnerships in 2024,” said elected Chair Densham. “The expertise and agility of staff make the Authority an important municipal ally, playing a critical role in the management of natural resources in our watershed.”
During SNC’s annual meeting, the Board approved its 2023 Annual Report, which showcases
program highlights from the preceding year, including community projects, development review, tree planting statistics, Conservation Area upgrades and visitation, and forestry and environmental stewardship initiatives.
“The Annual meeting provides a great opportunity to reflect on our accomplishments, “said Carl Bickerdike, SNC’s Chief Administrative Officer. “We’re very proud of the work completed in 2023, including natural hazard mapping, combating the spread of invasive species, accepting donations of conservation land, and completing park improvements like the Findlay Creek boardwalk extension.”
During the annual meeting, the Board of Directors confirmed the members of the newly established Watershed Advisory Committee and appointed former Chairman Bill Smirle, who brings nearly 15 years of experience with the Authority, as the new Committee Chair. The Committee, which replaces SNC’s former 4 Standing Committees (Fish and Wildlife, Forestry, Communications, and Clean Water) will meet quarterly to review SNC programs and support the development of new watershed strategies.
“The Board Executive and the new Watershed Advisory Committee will play a vital role supporting the development of our environmental programs and delivering value to our watershed communities in 2024,” added Bickerdike.
A digital copy of the Annual Report can be found here: www.nation.on.ca/resources/publications/annual-reports.
More information on SNC’s Board of Directors including meeting minutes can be found here: www.nation.on.ca/about/board-directors-and-committees.
