NBMCA wins innovation award

North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority
News Release

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A provincial award for innovation has been awarded to the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority for a tree-friendly, user-friendly and dollar-friendly bracket for mounting trail signs.

The Conservation Area Innovation Award was presented at the Annual Conservation Areas Workshop, held recently in Orillia, to NBMCA Field Operations Supervisor Troy Storms and Maintenance Foreman Rob Beaulieu who invented the sign bracket.

“Mounting interpretive or directional signage on trees can damage them as they grow. Screws left in trees also pose safety hazards to staff during tree maintenance and/or chain sawing,” said Storms.

The NBMCA Tree Saver Sign Bracket is made from simple materials available at a hardware store, providing an 80% savings from conventional post signs.

“There is nothing fastened into the tree, the bracket expands as the tree grows, and the sign can be placed high enough on the tree to avoid vandalism and still be visible. It’s simple, cost effective and environmentally friendly,” added Storms.The bracket is made from a handful of simple hardware – hose clamp, spring, clip and glue. The Tree Saver Sign Bracket can be tightened, or loosened, using the hose clamp and nut driver. Cost of the clamp, which has piqued the interest of Conservation Areas across Ontario, is less than $20.

All 36 Conservation Authorities from across the province were invited to submit an innovative idea at the Conservation Ontario workshop that could include risk management initiatives, maintenance programs, safety programs, master planning, staff training, customer service, or policies/procedures.

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