Putting Nature in Our Lives
Here in Southcott Pines, we truly put nature in our lives. Our community is uniquely situated within a Carolinian forest, set on sand dunes between Lake Huron and the Old Ausable Channel. It’s a rare and beautiful environment – and one we are fortunate to share.
Living in a forest brings both privilege and responsibility. As members of our community, we all play a role in protecting and stewarding this special landscape so it can be enjoyed today and preserved for future generations.
We invite our members to support our shared land stewardship efforts by keeping the following principles in mind:
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Choose native plants whenever possible to help sustain the Carolinian forest ecosystem.
(Native Plant Guide – printable resource) -
Help protect our river and shoreline areas, which provide critical habitat for three endangered fish species and are monitored by the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority and Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
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Limit fencing, as fences detract from the forest experience and can restrict or endanger wildlife movement.
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Planning a new structure or tree removal? Book a complimentary consultation with a volunteer from our Property Management and Environmental Stewardship Committee to better understand restrictions and potential permit requirements.
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Enjoy our shared beach responsibly and help keep it clean and safe for everyone.
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“Leave nothing, take only memories.” Please stay on designated pathways and dispose of litter in the provided refuse containers.
Climate change makes the protection of our forest more important than ever. By being mindful of our impact and working together, we can ensure Southcott Pines remains a healthy, vibrant natural environment for generations to come.
Get informed. Get involved. Be mindful of each other — and our environment.
Meet the Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC)
Chairperson: Duncan Croft
Co-Chair: Robin Loader
Recording Secretary (Board Rep): Allison Angold-Stevens
Advisor – Ausable River: Owen Taylor
Advisor – Lake Huron Shoreline: Todd Fagel
Advisor – SPPA Inner Property: John Walsh
To work more efficiently, we’ve divided Southcott Pines into three sections and are now looking for volunteers to help with projects, share ideas, or simply get involved in any way you can!
🙋♀️ Not into heavy lifting? No problem!
We’re planning educational events at the clubhouse to promote environmental awareness and share practical knowledge through presentations and demonstrations.
💡 Whether you have time, talent, or expertise — we want to hear from you!
Please email Kim at the office (info@southcottpines.net) and let us know how you’d like to get involved and where your interests lie.
Initiatives
Exciting News for the Pinedale Culvert
We’re thrilled to share that our Environmental Stewardship Committee, in partnership with the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority, has been awarded a grant from the Sunset Community Foundation! This funding will go toward repairing the water control structure at the Pinedale Culvert on the Old Ausable Channel and installing a paddle-up and exit system for safe portaging.
Project Timeline: Expected to be completed by June 2026, with work beginning as soon as conditions allow in the spring.
This project will help:
- Improve water flow along the channel and support river health
- Prevent flooding or drying of the riverbed
- Protect riverbanks and aquatic life by providing a formal entry/exit point
A huge congratulations to Duncan, Owen, Robin, Allison, Todd, and John for their dedication and hard work in securing this grant!
Our Community in Bloom!
More than 250 native plants have been added along the river channel and in a few other selected locations throughout the community. Each cluster is marked by red flags. Bee balm, butterfly weed, tall sunflower, blue flag iris, meadowsweet, oxeye daisy, and many more pollinator-friendly plants will help nourish butterflies, bees, and birds for years to come.
A heartfelt thank-you to Allison, Soren, Robin, Owen, John, Terry, Duncan, Heather, Carolyn, and ABCA’s Rosalind Chang and Julie Stellingwerth for bringing colour, beauty, and biodiversity to Southcott Pines!
Next time you’re out for a walk, keep an eye out for the red flags and enjoy the new bursts of colour growing in our community!
Blanket & Bottom Shade Test Project – Old Ausable Channel
Tuesday, April 29, 2025, the University of Toronto’s Jennifer Powell began a pilot project testing burlap benthic mats to control the Eurasian Watermilfoil infestation in the Old Ausable Channel (OAC).
Benthic mats work by shading out aquatic weeds, eventually killing their root systems and preventing regrowth. Using burlap has the added benefit of being biodegradable, so the mats will naturally decompose over time without needing removal.
How the project works:
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Trial sites: Four sites in the northern part of the channel each received two mats, 12 ft (3.7 m) wide, laid flush on the channel bottom and marked with small orange floats.
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Testing methods:
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One mat at each site has been left bare to see if native vegetation regenerates naturally.
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The second mat was planted with native aquatic species collected from the OAC in Pinery Provincial Park to see if helping native plants establish can slow reinvasion by milfoil.
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A third site nearby serves as a control for comparison.
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Monitoring: Vegetation type and amount, mat condition, and general water quality will be checked at intervals over the year.
Future potential: If effective, the mats could be scaled up to help control the milfoil infestation across the channel.
Visitor information: Signage has been installed onshore to inform visitors about the mats and their purpose.
