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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-09-11 MinutesDraft minutes — Not vet approved by Committee NOTES OF MEETING OF SAMUEL WILMOT NATURE AREA MANAGEMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE HELD TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 11, 2018 7:00 PM Present: Brian Reid Tom Hossie Kate Potter Suzanne Land Leo Blindenbach Patrick Bothwell Councillor Corinna Traill Rod McArthur Regrets: Jim Cleland Paul Davidson Meaghan Vandenbrink Staff Present: Peter Windolf 1. AGENDA MOVED: by Patrick Bothwell SECONDED by Tom Hossie THAT: the agenda for September 11, 2018 be accepted CARRIED 2. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING Approval of Minutes MOVED: by Leo Blindenbach SECONDED by Suzanne Land THAT: the minutes of August 14, 2018 be approved CARRIED SWNA September 2018 minutes 3. UPDATES MNR Stewardship Rangers On Thursday August 16 two crews of MNR Stewardship Rangers assisted with several tasks at the SWNA with guidance from SWNA members Brian Reid, Leo Blindenbach and Rod McArthur. The crews cleared brush and weeds from the area surrounding the snake hibernaculum; along the walking paths behind the sewage treatment plant, to the cobblestone beach and along the new section of trail through the valley. They finished the day clearing the trail adjacent to the lookout platform at the southern end of the Nature Area on the west side of Wilmot Creek. The Rangers have assisted at the SWNA on at least three other occasions and if they would be welcomed back again in 2019. Fall Monarch Tagging Approximately 150 people of all ages attended the 2018 monarch tagging event at Port of Newcastle Waterfront Park on Saturday September 8. Several committee members and some graduate students from Trent University provided guidance to the public on capturing, tagging and recording the data. 107 monarchs were tagged over a three hour period. More people attended this year but fewer monarchs were tagged because during cooler weather monarchs are less active. Twelve new butterfly nets and the nets borrowed from GRCA were used for the event. All agreed that this is one of the most popular events hosted by the SWNA Committee and that it should continue next year, Suggestions to consider for next year's event; -Having a Port -a -Potty on site -Using two tables for signing out the nets to speed up the process -Having an afternoon and morning session -Including more activities for children -Holding the event on the Cobbledick side of the SWNA Over the next couple of weeks SWNA members and other volunteers will continue to tag monarchs using the new nets. Fishing line disposal containers Six fishing line disposal containers made from poly pipe have been made and will now be installed at locations convenient to anglers at the SWNA. Identification stickers have also been made up and will be placed on the six containers. Jim Cleland Certificate Jim Cleland is no longer able to participle on the SWNA Committee. To acknowledge Jim as the longest serving member of the committee, and his many contributions over the years, a framed certificate will be presented to Jim at a future date to be determined by Brian Reid and his son. SWNA September 2018 minutes 4. ACTION ITEMS Shine Through the Rain Foundation The Shine Through the Rain Foundation supports families through life threatening illnesses. They contacted the SWNA Committee to request that fundraising for their foundation be included with future SWNA public events. The committee discussed the request and concluded that there are many worthwhile local fundraising initiatives to support should fundraising be included at future events. Brian Reid will send a respond to their request. Newcastle Fall Festival The committee discussed the merits of taking part in the Newcastle Fall Festival on Saturday October 6. As this is Thanksgiving weekend the availability of members to attend was limited. Brian Reid will look into it further and will e-mail the committee regarding participation this year. 5. OTHER BUSINESS Meetings during the election period The Clerks Department has advised that the committee can continue to meet at the discretion of the staff liaison. The committee agree to meet again in November and decide at that meeting if a December meeting is necessary. Applications for the new term of the committee should be available on-line in December. Vehicles on Trails It was noted by several members that cars are driving on the waterfront trail with access from Toronto Street and Cobbledick Road. It appears that anglers are driving along the trail to park close to the creek. Operations Department will be asked to place No Motorized Vehicles signs at both access points. By -Law Enforcement has also been asked to patrol the area more often during fishing season. In 2019 Engineering Department will include a capital project to place P -Gate bollards at several locations along the Waterfront Trail to prevent unauthorized access. 6. MOTION TO ADJOURN MOVED: by Leo Blindenbach SECONDED by Patrick Bothwell THAT: the meeting be adjourned. CARRIED Adjournment 8:00 PM SWNA September 2018 minutes Next Meeting: Tuesday November 13 at 7:00PM in meeting room 3C. Please gather in the lobby before being escorted to the 3rd floor. Notes prepared by: P.Windolf