The "FAC" Chair
Organizes and chairs all "FAC" meetings. Reports to the "SSA" Executive and President on all fisheries matters undertaken by the committee. All projects approved by the "FAC" committee requires approval from the "SSA" executive. The "FAC" chair also provides verbal and or written reports to the general members and to the "SSA" executive.  When required the chair also will communicate with Ministry of Natural Resources ("MNR"), Ministry of Environment ("MOE"), Niagara Escarpment Commission ("NEC"), Conservation Authorities or any other  government agency concerning fisheries issues related to the "SSA"'s fisheries programs.

The "FAC" Recording Secretary
Records all minutes of meetings of the "FAC" and provides copies to the "FAC" chair and to the "SSA" president prior to the next "FAC" meeting. 

Fish Hatchery Manager
Oversees all hatchery operations including feed orders, hatchery work parties, and organizes the required volunteer "SSA" members to operate the chinook salmon, rainbow trout and brown trout hatchery programs. All hatchery schedules and operating procedures for the "SSA" hatchery are prepared by the manager. Other responsibilities include meeting with the Weaver family on issues dealing with our lease for the "SSA" hatcheries, and meeting with the "MNR" or "MOE" concerning any and all permits and final reports required to take wild fish eggs or stocking of all fish reared.

Stream Enhancement Co-ordinator
Plans and implements all stream and river habitat projects. Submits all plans for approval by the "FAC" and "SSA" executive before starting any project. All community fisheries involvement projects ("CFWIP") applications are completed on behalf of the "SSA" by the stream enhancement co-ordinator.

Environmental Concerns (Fisheries) Co-ordinator
Works with  wildlife advisory committee ("WAC") counterpart in studying and recommending improvements which will benefit the environment. Organizes the annual Pitch-In campaign in May of each year.

Mill Dam Fish way Co-ordinator
Organizes the day to day operation of the Mill Dam fish way in co-operation with the "MNR" and the Conservation Authority. Recommends needed changes to the fish way or to the operation of the fish way to both the "MNR" and to the "SSA".  Takes care of all legal agreements on behalf of the "SSA" with the "MNR" in order to operate this very high profile fish way.

"FAC" Members
Represent the "SSA" on all fisheries related issues involving committee meetings outside of the "SSA". These tasks have included representing the "SSA" on the southern Ontario Rainbow Trout Advisory Committee; the coalition of area clubs (The Grey Bruce Conservation Coalition); and  fisheries business related to Zone H of the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters.  We have as well, provided guided tours to outside groups to our hatcheries, and "SSA" habitat projects and have often provided special slide\talk presentations on "SSA" fisheries projects to other interested groups.  At present the "FAC" with co-operation from the "SSA" members have developed a massive fisheries program. Yearly we raise and stock 200,000+ chinook salmon, 125,000 rainbow trout and up to 100,000 brown trout, also a number of diverse stream and river fisheries habitat projects are completed by the "SSA" under the guidance of the "FAC".

The SSA holds that proper wildlife habitat is essential to the very existence of wildlife. Remedies are sought and promoted for wildlife habitat that has effectively been rendered useless for wildlife reproduction through human acts, land use and misuse. For example, bluebirds have been in great decline, not only because of alteration of habitat, but also because of competition for nest sites with the introduced European starling. Wildlife Committee member Lorne Smith has spearheaded a club effort that is responsible for the construction, erection, inspection and maintenance of more that 6,000 bluebird nesting boxes, installed from Manitoulin Island to Orangeville. These efforts are paying very obvious dividends, as more and more families of this nearly extinct songbird are now being produced, and grace our area fields. Club members have also participated in the erection of wood duck houses, three different kinds of mallard nests, kestrel houses, chickadee and wren houses. The club is even helping to reverse deteriorating bat populations through the erection of bat boxes... mosquitoes, watch out!

Club projects are done on SSA lands, and through agreements with landowners and government agencies. Projects vary. For example, many species of wildlife utilize apples, but may apple trees are being out-competed and shaded out by over-topping nearby trees. SSA members have restored apple productivity through release cuttings in spruce/pine plantations, and by pruning mature apple trees. Lost and degraded wildlife habitat is being restored and enhanced in many locations by SSA planting of trees and shrubs favorable to wildlife. Club members, with OFAH and MNR funding, have begun to establish a demonstration wildlife enhancement area on 8 acres of recently purchased land immediately adjacent to the clubhouse property. In time, this property will be a valuable educational model for those who wish to actually do something positive about wildlife restoration in our great outdoors.

SSA observers make inspections and observations in local deer yards. The data derived permits recommendations to be made to the MNR, and provides the basis for emergency feeding and trail tramping when winter severity stresses go critical.

SSA members participate in the planning, funding, live-trapping and release of wild turkeys. The aim is to have true wild turkey strains regain their place in the local wildlife system.Wildlife Committee members create walking trails for general access to wildlife areas. Members review and comment on local environmental issues.The Wildlife Committee participates in debates with government and other agencies to counter destructive land use policies. Also, the Committee has actively opposed government policies that would erode or remove the public right to participate in hunting and fishing.

Some of the specific wildlife-oriented projects include:

- Arran Lake mallard nest structures.

- Isaac Lake mallard nest structures.

- Plan and direct establishment of demonstration wildlife management area.

- Long Swamp deer yard enhancement.

- Derby Tract apple tree release cutting.
 

- Wetland Wood Duck box erection and maintenance.

- McNabb Lake wetland "beaver baffler".

- Conservation Authority forest access trails.

- Fencing wildlife cover against cattle and ATVs.

As well as specific wildlife projects such as the above, the Sydenham Sportsmen participate in agreements for the conservation-oriented management of certain lands.

The Wildlife Committee looks to the future by involving junior members in as many conservation projects as possible. We try to instill in our young people a solid respect for the natural world and our place in it.

The foregoing is only a partial list of the interests and activities of the Sydenham Sportsmen's Wildlife Committee. Suffice it to say that many thousand of volunteer man hours have been and will continue to be expended in our quest to protect and enhance our natural world.