Gamiing Nature Centre

Newslettters

September 7, 2011
Summer Newletter 2011

SUMMER 2011

A message from the Board

On July 20 we lost our longest term and oldest member. Mary Hamilton passed away 3 days after her 91 birthday. We lost a friend, a passionate teacher and steward. We wish Linda much strength in the days and weeks ahead.

With the summer well underway, the Board has taken a break from the work of governing Gamiing. Vacations, visitors and kids at home make July and August a pleasant period. This does not mean that nothing is happening at Gamiing. To the contrary, July saw four Summer Day camps with kids enjoying the undisturbed meadows, forests and wetlands. Nick Gould, our camp counsellor wrote some stories, which are a treasure trove of excitement.

In the last week of July, Gamiing received the great news that we were awarded a grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation to the tunes of $160,000.00 over 3 years. We were able to hire a Volunteer Coordinator who will recruit, train and support volunteers. This will increase our capacity to deliver programs related to natural resource stewardship. It will be an opportunity to demonstrate Gamiing's ongoing commitment as a learning organization to community collaboration, capacity building and volunteerism within the context of our mission and mandate. MPP Rick Johnson will be at Gamiing on September 1 to celebrate the good news for the community and local stewardship initiatives. He will be joined by Mayor Ric McGee, counsellors Pat Warren and Ron Ashmore.

Our volunteers are the backbone of the organization. Without them we would not be able to deliver the programs and services we currently have. They fulfill roles in various areas such as our eco-education programs which are delivered on-site as well as in the community. They assist in the office , in the native nursery and greenhouse and wetland and forest. To support the volunteers we are so fortunate we have been able to hire Rebecca Niblett who brings a wealth of experience with her. We welcome Rebecca to our team.

An update about the progress of the Pigeon Lake and Area Management Plan

Recently the steering committee of the Pigeon Lake Management Plan (PLMP) held a BBQ at Gamiing Nature Centre for all lakeshore owners along the shores of Pigeon Lake. Dr. Emily Porter-Goff and Colleen Middleton f Trent University presented a very informative workshop on algae in the Kawartha Lakes. It was an excellent opportunity to look at algal samples and learn more about why we have and need algae in our lakes. The workshop also helped to identify cause and effects of nuisance and harmful algal blooms. If you come across an algal bloom of concern call your local Health Unit 705-324-3569, or Ministry of Environment office 416-325-4000 or 1-800-565-4923, which will ensure that it is tested to identify the species and any risks it may pose to our community. A big “Thank you” to Emily and Colleen.

Erin continues to work diligently on contacting and meeting with lakeshore owners and offer a fabulous information kit with insights into cause-and-effect of nutrients that enter into our waters, a shoreline checklist of do’s and don’ts, erosion control issues, planting native species and much much more. If you haven’t seen or heard from Erin yet but you want this information kit, please contact her at 705-799-7083 or email her at lakemanagement@gamiing.org.

Permits have just been received for a large lakeshore restoration project that requires fill and extensive shoreline work. Please contact Erin if you are planning to work on your shoreline since for all activities in and along the water’s edge permits are required.

Gamiing is currently negotiating with Trent Severn Waterway to obtain various permits for work that needs to be done in front of properties with very heavy weed growth. We will keep you up to date on the progress of the negotiations.

The Survey
To continue to plan properly for a Pigeon Lake Management Plan which involves ALL residents, cottagers and businesses on the shores of Pigeon Lake, we developed a survey that is now available on-line. Go to “Our Services”, then click on Pigeon Lake and Area Management Plan and you will find the survey.

It also can be found on the home page on the left hand side under “Latest News”. This one you can print off and send to us. It really really would be helpful if we would hear from many people.
It makes the case for a solid management plan so much stronger.

Pigeon Lake Needs Our Help II (Article Promoter January 15, 2010)
By Mieke Schipper, Gamiing Nature Centre.
“……..till taught by pain, men really know not what good water is worth” Lord Byron

With fully one third of the Earth’s fresh water within and along our borders, Ontario truly is a natural wonder to behold. We have some 250,000 fresh water lakes and countless rivers and streams. This abundance of water determines our quality of life and with that comes great responsibility to protect this resource.

Our lake is not as pristine as it used to be. How did that happen? What causes water to get polluted?

A big source is surface runoff. Surface runoff is water from rain, snowmelt, the water we use to water our garden or clean our car and other sources. When runoff flows along the ground, it can pick up soil contaminants such as petroleum, pesticides or fertilizers.

Housing developments have increased surface runoff, by creating more impervious surfaces such as pavement which do not allow percolation of the water down through the soil. When we park our car in our drive that is paved, oil residue, salt that we picked up from the road and other contaminants may drip on our drive. With the next rainfall or snowmelt, or by cleaning our drive with a water hose this dirt will flow into the ditch which will run into a storm drain and eventually end up in a stream and the lake. Runoff from the road and our lawn into ditches or into a stream or the lake, hard edges along the lake, stream or ditch and rainwater containing particulates from polluted air all contribute to this problem.

Rain falling on exposed soil we tilled for our garden beds or for agriculture or that was cleared for construction accelerates erosion and carries the soil particles and pollutants into our waterways. Suspended soil particles in water are deposited as sediment in the lake near the shore, therefore the lake will over time get shallower. Increased runoff also reduces groundwater recharge, thus lowering the water table and making droughts worse, especially for those who depend on water wells.

Protecting water at its source is the first step in ensuring that everyone has access to safe drinking water. By stopping contaminants from getting into sources of drinking water – yes, lakes, rivers and streams are the primary sources of our drinking water – we can provide the first line of defence in the protection of our environment and the health of all.

So, let’s think twice before we pave our driveway or build a stone patio at the edge of the lake to sit at night to see the sun go down. Let’s give a second thought about our lush green lawn.

When we are fertilizing our lawn, or using herbicides to kill these pesky dandelions (try falling in love with dandelions this Spring, great in salads, or as wine!) we are also fertilizing the aquatic plants……………A three meter wide buffer strip of low shrubs, flowers and plants would help contaminants reach the water.

You have been thinking about a new motor for your boat? Think four stroke! They are much cleaner, more fuel efficient and also not so loud. Join the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup in September each year. Gamiing Nature Centre organizes the Beach clean-up in Bobcaygeon and the shoreline cleanup at Rivera park in Lindsay. Let’s work together to protect this incredible natural resource.
Next time all about wetlands.

Summer Camp 2011
By Nick Gould and Damien Murtha
What fun we had!. Here are some of the things we did and learn:

Bone hunting
The pine plantation which is located on the corner of the Pine Grove and Lakeview trails tends to have a lot of bones and egg shells left by predators found on the property. This area is very valuable because it not only allows us to take the kids within an ecosystem and make observations of what the flora and fauna are located within, but it also allows the kids to use their imagination to guess what kind of species had been there in the past and what could be there in the future. When the kids participate in these activities they seem to remember for longer spans of time.

Plant pressing and leaf rubbing
This is great during extreme weather may it be too hot or too wet. With leaf rubbing we would pick five or so different trees and have the kids make rubbings of them of the bark. Then on the reverse side they would draw the tree shape. Once we finished, the kids had a tree ID book they could take home.

When doing pressing the kids would press plants which could be used the following week as it sometimes takes a while for them to fully dry. When finished, the kids glued the leaves to construction paper and label the species. This worked out quite well and several kids mentioned they would likely continue pressing plants as a hobby.

Pond Study
This was by far the most popular activity of the summer with all age groups. The pond located by the Discovery Shack has a wide assortment of flora and fauna, but the frogs and the insects where the main attraction. When doing the pond study we would first talk about the frog species and then begin trying to catch insects and minnows with the butterfly nets. Once caught we would show the kids how to use ID books and keys to help them identify the many different species.

Tracking
We taught the kids that tracking is not simply about following tracks. It is about reading what story the animal has left behind: where did the animal come from, where is it going, what was it doing and why did it do that. For example one day we went down the Cedar Grove trail after a full moon and found the tracks of a deer whose hooves had spread so I asked the kids what they thought had happened. Most thought the deer was running which is what most people would guess but on further inspection we could see that the deer had walked out of a neighbouring field, slipped in the mud, caught itself and continued on. This was a perfect example of how to read tracks. The only down side with tracking is it is slightly weather specific i.e. it is difficult to track when the ground is hard from lack of rain. Also animals have a greater tendency to feed when the moon is full or the stars are brighter because they can see on coming predators.

Skull, bone and fur identification
This was another great activity to do when the day gets to hot or wet. If you watch every time a kid comes into the Discovery Shack, it never takes long for them to find the skulls on the Touch Table.

The kids love being able to handle the skulls and bones and it’s easy to show the difference between carnivore, herbivore and omnivore. It also teaches them about how rodents like beaver and rabbits need to constantly chew on things because their teeth constantly grow or to show them the jaw structure of a deer and how their teeth are used for grinding plant fiber. The kids are also very interested in how deer lose their antlers in the fall but sheep for instance never lose their horns and if they take a close look at the base of an antler it almost looks like Velcro. When examining the furs we were able to show the kids the difference between caribou and deer hides and although they look similar they can be very different because they live in very different environments.

We went canoeing, fishing, swimming and did plant identification. With the last group, which was a bit older, we worked o survival skills culminating in an overnight camping event. Yes, it was hot, very hot, but we had a great time.

Forest monitoring protocol
By Lacey McDonald
As part of the Gamiing’s property management plan, I developed a monitoring protocol that can easily be maintained by volunteers who are interested in monitoring various parts of the forest at Gamiing.

The land was first farmed in the mid 1800s, which soon proved to be a poor idea, since much of the Kawartha’s topography is composed of glacial till – primarily sand and gravel – with a very thin layer of topsoil. Within 50 years, the cleared forests lost their arable soil to wind and water erosion, and many farms were abandoned.

Soil samples were collected and sent to Guelph University and returned with recommendations which were followed up on, starting in 1987.

The first step in the process was to allow the land to revert to its natural state, as it would have been when indigenous peoples lived here. With the guidance of local environmental organizations, planting stock provided by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, and the help of local scouting organizations and other volunteers, hundreds of native trees were planted on the property. The planting programs were repeated for a few years until a good mix of native trees were established and natural succession could occur.

The property is now so well forested allowing for nature walks under tree canopy, and indigenous fauna are continually repopulating the area. Birds are coming by in increasing numbers and variety, and many are nesting on the property. We also see many local mammals, including foxes, porcupines, deer, and other animals. Of course, with our location beside the water, we regularly see many animals that spend time in the water and on land: frogs and toads are abundant, fishing birds are always on the shore or overhead, and we often see or find signs of beaver, mink, and other semi-aquatic mammals.

Following is an outline for a monitoring protocol.
1)Backgrounds:

Who:
What:
Where:
When:
Why:

2) Map of Gamiing Nature Centre:
3) Stand Composition

Utm Coordinates of each Plot (several for each stand)
Day/Month/Year
Weather condition/Wind Speed/Temperature /visibility -(weatheroffice.gc.ca)
Wildlife- (Tally of observations)
- Mammals (use species code explanation)
- Birds (use species code explanation)
- Herptiles
- Signs- dens/nipped twigs/browse/feeding areas/mittens/digs etc…

Measure a 15 m radius (within area tally)
- Vegetation type (use species code explanation) to be provided yet
- Tree species
- Diameter/ height of trees
- ELC (ecological land classification)
- AGS (Acceptable growing stock)/ UGS (Unacceptable growing stock)
- Tree defects- insect damage/cankers/frost cracks/fungus/lighting /rot
- Chicots (dead standing trees)

4) Compiled Data
5) Forest Description-

Species in %
F.R.I.
Quality: %
Stems/ha
BA

This is a great way for those who are interested in the life of the forest to keep track of various activities
of fauna, new growth, invasive species and many other things that take place in the forest.

Buckthorn eradication project
By Lacey McDonald
The Eurasian origin, Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica), was introduced to North America as an ornamental shrub. Immigrants from England brought the shrubs with them because of “those unsightly workmen’s fences”. Due to its invasive, fast-growing nature, Buckthorn is able to invade quickly and outcompete species such as natural oak savanna, oak woodland, maple highlands, and even pine groves.

Once in an area, Buckthorn is extremely hard to eradicate. Along the trails you may notice patches of newspaper/cardboard and cut stumps covered with black plastic. We are experimenting with different organic methods in attempt to remove as much buckthorn as we can to reduce the spread.

Benefits of Removal are

Increase of wildlife habitat
Native tree species are able to thrive
Native tree species are not out-competed
Abundance of species diversity

Fundraising
By Mieke Schipper
As with any other non-profit organization, we have to continuously raise funds to be able to keep our stewardship efforts going.

As you may have read here in this Newsletter or otherwise in the Lindsay post or Kawartha This Week, we received funding to hire a volunteer coordinator. Funding from government and arms length government sources is project specific. This means that we work very hard to put an application for funding together focusing on a specific project. Then we have to ensure that there is “matching” funding, can we come up with 50% of the total cost of that project. Another source of funds is the community oriented departments of large corporations.

However, lately it has become in-vogue that the corporations asks non-profit organizations to write up an idea for a project. That then goes on-line and the projects that receive the most votes will get the funding. For small organizations such as Gamiing that is a difficult situation. To promote such a project takes a lot of time and person-hours which we do not have. Therefore that source of funding is no longer available to us. The third source of funding are individuals.

Recently we have developed a fundraising plan that we believe will help us on the road to long term sustainability. Once this plan has been completed I will write about it in the next issue of “Naturally!”.

In the meantime, if you are interested in supporting the work of Gamiing please go to the section of the website “Support Us”. You will find there various ways and means to make a difference.

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September 2011