OUR CHAPTER's
VISION
A healthy, functioning, species rich network of cold-water tributaries providing productive habitat for the cold-water fish species of the Middle Grand River, and its tributaries.
Our Executive Membership consists of 14 passionate and enthusiastic volunteers. Without the consistency and dedication of this group our Chapter would not have the direction and guidance it needs.
Executive Members:
President, Hajnal Kovacs
Treasurer, Stephanie Bieniek
Secretary, Stephanie Lantos
Director of
Communications & Director of
Strategic Planning,
Andy Dietrich
Director of Watershed Science,
Mark Hartley
Projects Directors:
Barry Buchwald
Scott Puillandre
Archie McLarty
Director of Data,
Jeff Leader
Director of Fundraising, Larry Bell
Directors at Large:
Allen Scole
Larry Halyk
Larry Mellors
Warren Yerex
GOALS.
In order to conserve, protect and restore the freshwater ecosystems and their cold-water resources in the Middle Grand, our goals are to:
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Protect headwaters and tributaries from degradation;
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Improve the ecological resiliency of the tributaries;
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Increase populations of native cold-water species such as brook trout and sculpins, and naturalized cold-water species such as rainbow and brown trout;
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Educate watershed residents on the value status of the watershed; and
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Advocate for sustainability in development.
HISTORY.
Previously, a Whiteman’s Creek Chapter was formed in 1989, which evolved to become the Middle Grand River Chapter in 2003. Their activity started to decline and members became inactive by 2009. The Chapter was officially recognized to no longer be a functioning Trout Unlimited Canada (TUC) Chapter in about 2012.
In 2014, a new group came together because they shared a common concern about the state and future of the Middle Grand River and its tributaries. They formed the Middle Grand Chapter of TUC in June 2014 with over 80 general members signing up at the first meeting. The Chapter was named after the middle stretch of the Grand River. This Chapter’s territory encompasses some of the most heavily populated and agriculturally developed areas of Canada, which creates great challenges for freshwater resources. This requires a commitment to conserve and protect this resource by being proactive in the rehabilitation and improvement of habitat.