Foundation Projects
As a locally-based organization, donations are used to support local projects.
Donations can be used right away or be designated for a future project or endowment fund.
Funds raised by Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation (ABCF) support many efforts in our watershed, including:
Parkhill Trail Project of Friends of North Middlesex Trails
With your donation to Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation (ABCF) for the Parkhill trail project, of Friends of North Middlesex Trails, you will be able to help people to create expand the trail system in Parkhill and area, allowing people to ‘Discover, explore and connect' with outdoor recreation and nature appreciation.
To learn more visit the Friends of North Middlesex Trails web page for the Parkhill trail project.
There are easy ways to donate. Choose the way that works best for you:
Call us
To donate to the Parkhill trail project, of Friends of North Middlesex Trails, you may phone 519-235-2610 or toll-free 1-888-286-2610.
Donations of $20 or more are eligible for a charitable gift receipt, for income tax purposes, from Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation.
Or, you may donate using any of the other easy ways listed below:
Donate by credit card or debit card
You may donate by credit card or debit card at the provided link or you can call our office at phone number above.
(If you click the above link, there are options to ‘Donate with PayPal’ or to ‘Donate with Debit or Credit Card.’ If you would like to donate by credit card or debit card, please select the second option provided after you click the link).
Donate by cheque
You may mail a cheque to:
Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation, 71108 Morrison Line, RR 3, Exeter, ON N0M 1S5
Make cheque payable to: Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation
(Be sure to write, on the memo line of the cheque, that the donation is for the Friends of North Middlesex Trails Parkhill Trail Project).
You may also drop off a cheque at the office at 71108 Morrison Line.
Donate by e-Transfer
You may donate easily, to the Friends of North Middlesex Trails Parkhill Trail Project, by e-Transfer using the email address donations@abca.ca
Be sure to let us know, in the e-Transfer message box/field of the e-Transfer, that the donation is for the Friends of North Middlesex Trails Parkhill Trail Project.
If you would like to receive a charitable gift receipt for income tax purposes please be sure to include your mailing address and/or email address in the e-Transfer message box.
Donate in person
You are welcome to come into our office to donate by cash, debit, credit or cheque.
We are located at 71108 Morrison Line, two kilometres east of Exeter, just south of Highway 83.
However you choose to donate, we thank your for your support of your community.
It really makes a difference.
Commemorative Woods
Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation (ABCF) has six commemorative woods across the watershed.
These areas are a place for family and friends, as well as funeral homes, to sponsor trees as a living memorial and legacy.
Planting a tree can also commemorate special occasions such as wedding anniversaries, birthdays or other events where a long-lasting natural tribute is fitting.
Commemorative woods sites are open year-round for the public to visit.
Learn more here:
Student Environmental Grant
Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation (ABCF) offers a $1,000 Student Environment Grant (formerly Student Environmental Award) for a graduating secondary school student or a student enrolled in university or college.
For most recent submission criteria, please consult the most current application form and flyer poster (downloads below).
Download the 2024 application form and poster now:
- Application Form – 2025 – Student Environmental Grant (500 KB – Medium-sized PDF file)
- Flyer Poster – 2025 – Student Environmental Grant (300 KB – Medium-sized PDF file)
Past winners are: Ryan Finnie (2010); Raina Vingerhoeds (2011); Greg Urquhart (2012); Ryan Carlow (2013); Connor Devereaux (2014); Barb Alber (2015); Samantha Bycraft (2016); Marina Lather (2017); Ethan Quenneville (2018); Meghan Glavin (2019); Kirsten McIntosh (2022); Gwen Taylor (2023); and Emily Dearing (2024).
Eligible students must be between the ages of 17-25, have a permanent address within a member municipality of the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) watershed, be currently enrolled in university or college, or graduating secondary school and pursuing a post-secondary education in a conservation/environmental related course of study (e.g., biology; ecology; geography; forestry; fish and wildlife; agriculture; outdoor education).
Only students who have a permanent address in the following municipalities are eligible to apply for the ABCF Student Environmental Award:
Adelaide Metcalfe, Bluewater, Central Huron, Huron East, Lambton Shores, Lucan Biddulph, Perth South, Middlesex Centre, North Middlesex, South Huron, Warwick and West Perth.
Submissions may be mailed, faxed or hand-delivered to:
Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation
71108 Morrison Line, RR 3 Exeter, ON N0M 1S5
Telephone: 519-235-2610 or toll-free 1-888-286-2610; Facsimile (Fax): Fax: 519-235-1963
NOTE: The Selection Committee is the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation (ABCF) Board of Directors. It is at their discretion to award the successful student up to $1,000 based upon the quality of applications and essays received. The ABCF reserves the right to not present the award in any given year. Only successful applicants will be contacted by the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation.
Conservation Auction
Each year, Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation is pleased to partner with Exeter Lions Club to hold the Conservation Auction.
The Conservation Auction fundraiser supports needed projects in local communities.
Learn more here:
Conservation Foundation, Exeter Lions to bring back online auction in 2026 in support of community projects
Conservation Auction Committee announces return of virtual auction, 50-50 raffle draw in April 2026; Winning bidders can buy unique items while supporting trails, opportunities for youth, outdoor recreation and education, and other local projects
A partnership of Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation, Exeter Lions Club, and the local community has raised more than $1.42 million, over 35 years, in support of needed projects. The Conservation Auction Committee has announced plans to bring back the online auction and 50-50 raffle draw in 2026.
George Irvin and Janet Clarke are Co-Chairs of the 2026 Conservation Auction. They encourage you to ‘save the dates’ (April 9-16, 2026) for the online auction.
“We are excited to continue this close and successful partnership that has benefitted our local communities for more than 35 years,” said Co-Chair George Irvin. The online auction and 50-50 raffle draw raised more than $30,000 in 2025 for local projects. “We hope the return of these community fundraisers can continue to support work that could not happen otherwise,” he said.
The Conservation Auction Committee has held successful online auctions in 2021, 2022, and 2025. Those three virtual auctions, combined with 50-50 draws, raised more than $90,000 over those three years.
“The online auction format is fun and people can bid on lots of great items, over several days, in communities near and far, without having to purchase a ticket,” said Co-Chair Janet Clarke. “They also know they are supporting important projects in the area.”
The Conservation Auction Committee will announce more details in the new year and notify the public when the online auction is live in April 2026. The link to the live auction will be posted on the online auction web page.
The Co-Chairs say they would like to thank all the people and businesses who donate items for the online auction.
“We are looking for donors of auction items,” said Co-Chair Janet Clarke. “If you are interested in donating funds or donating items to the online Conservation Auction, please phone Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation or speak with a Conservation Auction committee member.” The committee welcomes donations of items of great or modest value as well as donations of gift cards and cash.
Organizers of the 36th Conservation Auction say they are keeping the door open to a possible return of the in-person Dinner and Auction in a future year but committee members agreed the virtual auction is the best way to go for the upcoming year.
Co-Chair George Irvin gave special thanks to auctioneers Bob Heywood, Ben Lobb, Richard Lobb, and Kevin McArter, who have generously contributed their skills, in the live auctions at the Conservation Dinner, over many decades. He said he hopes the live auction and Dinner will return in the future.
Exeter Lions Club has been co-partner with Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation, on the Auction, since 1991.
Net profits are split evenly between the two organizations. The annual charitable auction supports needed initiatives in the area, such as parks and trails and conservation areas, outdoor recreation events and experiences for youth and families, conservation education for the young and young at heart, job and education opportunities for youth, and other local conservation projects that depend on the auction for support.
The 50-50 raffle draw prize, for 2026, could be as high as $7,500 if all tickets are sold. Tickets (pending) will be sold between February 16 and April 16, 2026. The winning ticket is scheduled to be drawn (pending) at 4 p.m. on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
If you have questions about the auction, you may phone 519-235-2610 or toll-free 1-888-286-2610.
Land Acquisition
Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation (ABCF) contributes funding to help purchase environmentally-important lands.
The Foundation is also able to receive land donations and protect the land in perpetuity.
Leave a local land legacy
Morrison Dam Fishing Derby
Each year Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation and Exeter Lions Club contribute financially towards stocking the Morrison Dam Reservoir with Rainbow Trout for the annual Fishing Derby in April or May.
The event is well-attended and is fun for anglers of all ages.
Learn more:
South Huron Trail Fundraising
For many years, the South Huron Trail Golf Tournament was a charitable fundraiser hosted by the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation (ABCF). Since 2005, the golf tournament raised more than $67,000 towards trail improvements and maintenance.
Thanks go to sponsors, donors and community volunteers who made it possible for the tournament to support the popular trail’s health, social, environmental, and recreational benefits.
Although the golf activity is not continuing, we still need community support for the Foundation's programs and services and volunteers, working with local businesses and other community partners, are developing new ways to fundraise for the trail.
Learn more here:
To find out more, phone 519-235-2610 or toll-free 1-888-286-2610, extension 221, or email Sharon Pavkeje at spavkeje@abca.ca
Accessible Nature Trails and Facilities
Spending time in nature is important for physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being.
Since the 1980s, Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation, with support of a generous community, has helped fund accessible nature trails, boardwalks and bridges at several conservation areas.
Recent projects include re-decking bridges and boardwalks at Bannockburn Conservation Area and Jones Bridge linking the Morrison Dam Conservation Area and MacNaughton-Morrison Sections of the South Huron Trail.
Foundation funding is supported by service clubs, donations and other funding partners.
Conservation Education
Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation is a strong supporter of conservation education for youth.
Funds contribute to student nature programs, subsidize busing costs for field trips to conservation areas, and not-for-profit group presentations.
These programs teach youth about water, soil, and habitat for living things, and the natural world around them.
Learn more:
American Friends of Canadian Conservation
Are you an American citizen living in Canada? Or a resident of the United States?
Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation (ABCF) is a partner of American Friends of Canadian Conservation that enables charitable donations to be directed to our local projects.
The American Friends organization can provide charitable gift receipts for income tax purposes.
Please click below to find out more:
Junior Conservationist
The Junior Conservationist is an eight-week summer job with Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA).
This program is funded by Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation.
The student interested in pursuing a career in the environmental field works with each ABCA department to gain a greater understanding of the knowledge, skills and opportunities working in conservation.