The Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority will celebrate its 70th birthday this weekend.
It was July 30 of 1946 that the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority became the first conservation authority in the province.
ABCA Supervisor Kate Monk says the authority was formed by local residents and municipalities who were concerned about environmental issues in their communities and realized that water did not recognize municipal boundaries, so those issues would have to be addressed on a watershed basis.
Monk adds conservation authorities are the result of community members understanding how effective they could be by working together; with the conservation authority as the enabler and the land owners leading the way.
Monk believes that continues to be the strength of the system of conservation authorities today.