Work to protect species at risk in Huron-Bruce is benefiting from provincial funding announced by MPP Carol Mitchell.
Mitchell Thursday made stops in Clinton, Goderich and Exeter to award grants to the Huron Stewardship Council, and the Ausable-Bayfield Conservation Authority.
The Lake Huron Centre for Coastal Conservation received its grant at Rotary Cove Beach in Goderich.
Chair of the Lake Huron Centre Board of Directors Brian Luinstra tells us the 47-thousand dollars earmarked for his organization will be put to work immediately.
Luinstra says the funding will go toward stewardship work at Oliphant beach on the Bruce Peninsula which is home to several threatened plant and animal species.
He says a management plan will be developed for the area.
Luinstra says the Oliphant beach area is very environmentally-sensitive and the funding will help address the balance of nature.
Luinstra says the area features a shallow lake and small wetland areas along the shore.
He says the challenge is to protect the natural features of Oliphant beach in the face of development and increasing human encroachment.
Luinstra says while the Lake Huron Centre for Coastal Conservation is concentrating on the Bruce Peninsula now, its responsibility covers a very large area.
Luinstra says the Centre takes interest in the entire Lake Huron coastline from Sarnia to Tobermory and has recently expanded its operations into the Georgian Bay area.
Mitchell also awarded over 17-thousand dollars to the ABCA, and grants of 31-thousand and almost 16-thousand dollars to the Huron Stewardship Council.
The Friends of MacGregor Point yesterday received more than 10-thousand dollars.
The grants are part of an 18-million dollar provincial stewardship fund available over four years for projects that protect species at risk across the province.