(a)  The Grimsby Public Library has introduced its WiFi Hotspot program. Our Rotary Club of Grimsby  funded the purchase of 10 hotspots under the Matching District Grant program while the data plan portion is funded primarily by the Town of Grimsby.

 

Over the next months, we will receive 1/2 of the purchase price back from the District Matching Grant Fund program based on the applications made in Spring 2020.  

 

These hotspot units have been catalogued as a GPL special collection that is borrowed in a small carrying case.  Patrons borrow the hotspots for a one week loan. There is a cap on the amount of data that can be accessed each day which allows the library to manage the data costs.  Access instructions are attached to the case for ease of connecting the units to patron devices.

   
The library reached out to the community to share information about the availability of the hotspots via Social Media, direct contact with supporting organizations such as; Grimsby Benevolent Fund intake, Employment Help office, and FORT (Foundation of Resources for Teens). 

Library staff have connected with those patrons who are regular users of the Computer lab and wifi in the parking lot to let them know that they can take the Internet home with them.  

 

(b) As club members may remember, our Rotary Club also made an additional application for District Matching Grant funds to support a bathroom remodel at The Fort. 

 

(c)  Great Lakes Watershed Cleanup Unfortunately, continues to be paused due to the Covid-19 lockdown in Ontario.  We hope to be able to find an appropriate weekend in June to have the event.  Please join us in staying safe, and we will share more information as soon as we have it.

 

As one of our committee members has said "The garbage will still be waiting for us".

 

This was a Virtual ZOOM meeting.   Lots of vaccination discussion took place during our social time. Great to see all members who are eligible have been jabbed or have an appointment booked.  

 

President Liz welcomed everyone and called the meeting to order.  There were 14 Grimsby Rotarians present,  guests – Elaine Hughes and our speaker, Kerry Royer. 

Canada's National Anthem was played while enjoying the variety of landscapes around our beautiful country, O Canada, indeed!! 

 

Marie Solvason led the invocation. “A toast to the Queen and Canada”; “A toast to the Office of the President of the United States”; and “A toast to Rotary International” were given by President Liz

 

President Liz introduced the Guest Speaker, Kerry Royer-  Community Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator - Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority 

 

Kerry Royer graduated from Brock University and Niagara College with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and a graduate certificate in Ecosystem Restoration. She has been working for the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority for nearly 15 years and is currently the Coordinator of Community Outreach in the Communications and Public Relations department. Kerry is passionate about her work, especially when it involves building partnerships with the community to achieve common goals, promoting environment stewardship and nature education. 

 

The Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority is a community-based natural resource management agency that works to protect, enhance and sustain healthy watersheds. With 61 years of experience, the NPCA offers watershed programs and services that focus on flood and hazard management, source water protection, species protection, ecosystem restoration, community stewardship and land management. The NPCA is one of 36 Conservation Authorities in the Province of Ontario and manages 41 Conservation Areas within the Niagara Peninsula watershed. These properties are held in public trust for recreation, heritage preservation, conservation and education.

 

Also Kerry, is NPCA’s member of the Great Lakes Watershed Clean up Partner group.  Her passion for her work has provided great input and ideas for the project.  

 

Kerry explained her job involves the following:

•Community Outreach

•Volunteer program

•Public Advisory Committee

•Partnerships/Outreach

•Community Stewardship

•NPCA employee since 2006

•Restoration

•Natural Areas Inventory

•Community Outreach/Community Engagement

 

The Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA) oversees the Niagara Peninsula watershed, which encompasses the Niagara Region and portions of the City of Hamilton, and Haldimand County.  The lands are held in public trust for recreation, heritage preservation, conservation, and education.

 

Programs and Services that are offered by the NPCA

•Manage 41 Conservation Areas

•Water Quality Monitoring

•Flood forecasting/warning

•Permitting

•Restoration Grant Program

•Fundraising Events

•Educational programs/camps

•Nature School (NEW!)

•Working with partners to further common goals

•Public Advisory Committee

•2021-2031 Strategic Plan

 

The Niagara Region is home to many Natural Heritage Features such as:

•City of Hamilton and Niagara Region have 100+waterfalls and cascades

•Niagara Escarpment

•Bruce Trail system

•Carolinian Life Zone

•Over 125 species in Carolinian Canada have SAR status

•Over 400 species in Carolinian Canada are considered rare by NHIC

•A wide variety of different ecosystems (beach, forest, swamp, meadow, alvar,  open marsh, agricultural)

•Niagara River/ Welland River/Niagara Falls

 

NPCA currently has a roster of almost 1500 volunteers.  They provide a wide variety of support for their projects.  

Example of volunteer opportunities :

•Community Planting

•Ball’s Falls Camps/School Programs

•Pollinator garden care

•Invasive species management

•Citizen science

•Corporate volunteering

 

Kerry answered many questions from the group.

Kerry’s presentation reminded us why we are so privileged to be able to live here.  We need to commit to having it remain for many more generations.

 

Grant Schaming thanked Kerry on behalf of the club.

 

There were no questions for the Board from the members present.

 

Member updates: 
Good news, Thomas Brock is home.  Bill has talked to him.  Vision is not the best.  Would welcome calls or emails from the members.

Richard Hueston’s Mother in law passed away.  The membership passes on our sincere condolences to the family.