Hundreds of trees are going to be removed from the area around Southampton's Fairy Lake.
Saugeen Shores Council has approved a recommendation to remove ash trees from Fairy Lake due to a significant infestation of Emerald Ash Borer.
This harvest may remove up to 500 trees in order to help slow the spread of the Ash Borer population.
The town is working closely with the Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority to remove the trees in an ecologically sound manner. A single harvest of the dead and dying trees was recommended as it requires only one disturbance to the area, and restoration and rehabilitation can begin immediately.
To ensure local residents are involved, a Fairy Lake public information session will be held on January 10, 2017, beginning at 5pm at the Bruce County Museum and Cultural Centre in Southampton.
"We are, of course, very sad to see the removal of so many trees – some are very large and spectacular specimens," says Frank Burrows, parks manager for the Town of Saugeen Shores. "But by taking care of the issue immediately, we can also immediately begin rehabilitation and rejuvenation of the park through Canada 150th Infrastructure funding and the assistance of the local environmental organization SauGreen for the Environment Inc."
