HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-08-14 MinutesDraft minutes — Not vet approved by Committee
NOTES OF MEETING OF
SAMUEL WILMOT NATURE AREA
MANAGEMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
HELD TUESDAY AUGUST 14, 2018
7:00 PM
Present: Brian Reid
Kate Potter
Leo Blindenbach
Regrets: Councillor Corinna Traill
Suzanne Land
Jim Cleland
Staff Present
1. AGENDA
Peter Windolf
Tom Hossie
Meaghan Vandenbrink
Patrick Bothwell
Paul Davidson
Rod McArthur
MOVED: by Leo Blindenbach SECONDED by Kate Potter
THAT: the agenda for August 14, 2018 be accepted
CARRIED
2. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
Approval of Minutes
MOVED: by Patrick Bothwell SECONDED by Tom Hossie
THAT: the minutes of May 8, 2018 be approved
CARRIED
SWNA August 2018 minutes
3. UPDATES
Fishing line disposal containers
At the April 2018 meeting Leo Blindenbach suggested that fishing line disposal
containers be installed at the SWNA in locations convenient to anglers. Several of
these, made from poly pipe, have been installed by Bowmanville Anglers along the
Bowmanville Creek. Leo was able to obtain free material from Rona Newcastle and
6 containers were built by volunteer Kevin Leckie. Once the identification stickers
are available the six containers will be installed.
OPG Planting Project
On Saturday May 26 at 11:OOAM a project to plant 500 nectar plants was held at
Port of Newcastle Waterfront Park. The project was an extension to the planting that
was done in 2017. OPG sponsored the event to plant butterfly and pollinator friendly
perennials supplied by Chalk Lake Greenhouses. After a slow start all of the plants
were installed within about 1.5 hours. OPG will be asked if they are interested in
sponsoring the event again in 2019.
Friends of Second Marsh Festival
On June 2 the SWNA Committee had a booth at the Friends of Second Marsh
Festival at the McLaughlin Bay Wildlife Reserve in Oshawa. Kate Potter and Tom
Hossie attended on behalf of the committee. A large crowd attended again this year
and it was a great opportunity for spreading information about the SWNA, including
the 2018 SWNA Monarch Tagging event. Many attendees signed up for the SWNA
blog. It was a worthwhile event that the committee should participate in again next
year.
Soper Creek Wildlife Event
The committee hosted a public event, themed around urban wildlife, at the SWNA
on Saturday June 9. Soper Creek Wildlife displayed several mammals including a
porcupine, skunk, and bob cat during their presentation. Many families with
children attended the event to view and learn about the wildlife encountered in
urban areas. The event was sponsored by Jackie Winterfield from Remax. While
the event was successful, the committee suggested moving future events to a
location with visibility from the street would help bring in larger walk-up audiences.
4. ACTION ITEMS
Fall Monarch Tagging Saturday September 8
Following the success of the 2017 monarch tagging event, the committee has
scheduled to tag monarchs again on Saturday September 8 with a rain date of
Sunday September 9. Five hundred tags have been received from Monarch Watch.
Twelve new Butterfly nets have been purchased from a private donation which will
be used to supplement the nets that we will borrow from GRCA. Four picnic tables
will be requested from Operations and a Clarington tent will be requested from
Communications and Tourism. To guide people to the event location, two A -frame
signs will be placed at the south ends of Port of Newcastle Drive and Toronto
Street. Committee members should arrive for the event at 9:00 AM.
SWNA August 2018 minutes
MNR Rangers Thursday August 16
The Stewardship Youth Ranger Program is sponsored by the Ontario Ministry of
Natural Resources and Forestry and provides summer employment opportunities
for students supporting community projects relating to environmental stewardship
and resource management.
Two crews of Rangers will be at the SWNA on August 16 to assist with clearing
brush from the snake hibernaculum and along various paths at the SWNA. Leo,
Rod, and Brian will attend to direct the work.
Highway of Hero's possible 2018 planting project
In 2017 over 200 trees were planted south of the Cobbledick Parking lot with
volunteers and funding from the Highway of Hero's Tribute program. The H of H
program has asked if the SWNA would like to participate again in fall of 2018. Due
to the difficult soil conditions encountered at last year's site and the relatively short
time to organize another fall event, the committee decided to decline the offer with
thanks.
5. OTHER BUSINESS
Brian Reid advised that Jim Cleland has moved to an assisted living facility and will
not be able to participate on the committee in the future. Since the term of this
SWNA committee is about to end, no replacement will be requested. Brian
suggested a certificate of appreciation be prepared to acknowledge Jim's
contribution as the longest serving member of the committee. P. Windolf will follow
up with the Mayor's office about getting a certificate.
Patrick Bothwell reported that the interpretive sign at the barrier beach was missing,
or hidden by vegetation. When the MNR Rangers are on site on August 16 it will be
investigated further.
6. MOTION TO ADJOURN
MOVED: by Patrick Bothwell SECONDED by Kate Potter
THAT: the meeting be adjourned.
CARRIED
Adjournment 8:15 PM
Next Meeting: Tuesday September 11 at 7:OOPM in meeting room 3C. Please
gather in the lobby before being escorted to the 3rd floor.
Notes prepared by: P.Windolf