HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-06-11Draft minutes ❑ Not yet approved by Committee
NOTES OF MEETING OF
SAMUEL WILMOT NATURE AREA
MANAGEMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
HELD TUESDAY JUNE 11, 2019
6:30 PM On-site
Present: Rod McArthur
Kate Potter
Leo Blindenbach
Evan King
Regrets
Staff Present
1. AGENDA
Meaghan Vandenbrink
Councillor Corinna Traill
Doran Hoge
Tom Hossie
Tyson Brooks
Brian Reid
Patrick Bothwell
MOVED: by Kate Potter SECONDED by Evan King
THAT: the agenda for June 11, 2019 be accepted
CARRIED
2. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
Approval of Minutes
MOVED: by Leo Blindenbach SECONDED by Tom Hossie
THAT: the minutes of April 9, 2019 be approved
CARRIED
3. UPDATES
Spring Clean-up Saturday April 27 at 10:OOAM
Leo provided an account of another successful cleanup campaign. 189 volunteers
were involved in this combined project involving the Port of Newcastle, the
community of Bond Head and the SWNAAC. Approximately 2200 pounds of
assorted garbage was gathered and disposed of.
SWNA June 2019 minutes
OPG Pollinator Planting event Saturday May 25 at 10:OOAM
Tom spoke about this event. Despite the foul weather, volunteers from the
community did join committee members in planting along the eastern end of the
Newcastle waterfront park fronting on Lakebreeze Drive. 500 pollinator plants were
added to the 1200 planted in the past two years in this area. Thanks to OPG for
providing the plants again this year.
Friends of Second Marsh Festival May 25, 10:OOAM-3:OOPM
Friends of Second Marsh in partnership with General Motors of Canada hosted a
Feathered Friends Festival at General Motors of Canada head -quarters overlooking
the McLaughlin Bay Wildlife Reserve and Second Marsh Wildlife Area in Oshawa.
The event is a festival celebrating the return of migratory birds. Kate staffed our
information table for the morning; Brian covered in the afternoon. Kate provided an
overview of the festival and our role there in having a display/information table.
There seemed to be considerable interest in the SWNA. Attendance was quite good
for a very rainy day (the event was moved indoors). This is certainly something we
want to continue doing in the future. It increases our profile and provides
opportunities for linkages with other like-minded groups and individuals. We do
need to have maps and directional materials available for distribution.
Wildflower Seed Grant Application
Members will recall that Leo circulated information about a program by which
organizations such as ours could potentially access additional funding for plantings
such as that described above. At the time of preparation of these minutes, Peter
had submitted a formal application on our behalf. Proposals will be assessed in late
July. Thank you to Leo for bringing this to our attention and to Leo, Kate, Tom and
Peter for pulling things together.
4. OTHER BUSINESS
iNaturalist Project
iNaturalist is a citizen science project and online social network of naturalists, citizen
scientists, and biologists built on the concept of mapping and sharing observations
of biodiversity across the globe. iNaturalist may be accessed via its website or from
its mobile applications.
The app can be used for scientific research, or more casually. Tom Hossie has set it
up for the SWNA as a "Collection" style project so that any observations submitted
to iNaturalist within the SWNA are automatically compiled. 23 observations of 20
species have already been submitted through the app.
Tom Hossie provided an excellent overview of the INaturalist program and how it
can be used to inventory and identify flora and fauna. Several ideas were suggested
concerning how we might be able to utilize this program for practical and
educational purposes ❑ e.g. hosting events at SWNA to demonstrate how the
program works and involve the public in capturing data; inviting student groups to
do field trips to SWNA and using their smart phones to do mini bio -blitzes. We will
endeavor to arrange a day in late summer for a public event. Tom and Kate have
offered to take the lead in this initiative.
SWNA June 2019 minutes
Doran Hoge, Clarington Climate Change Coordinator
Brian introduced Doran Hoge to the group. Doran assumed the role of Climate
Change Coordinator for the Municipality of Clarington approximately 2 months ago.
Doran provided an overview of his role: to articulate what climate change will mean
for Clarington and to develop a strategy/action plan including an assessment of
risks and opportunities. He noted that a working group has been assembled and
that a EFRP P -IIFTWadvisory group TLCObe established. Some discussion took place
about possible collaboration with SWNAAC ranging from hosting public
presentations to tree planting
5. MOTION TO ADJOURN
MOVED: by Kate Potter SECONDED by Tyson Brooks
THAT: the meeting be adjourned.
:x_ :7:7
11 1]
Adjournment 7:20 PM
Next Meeting: August 13, 2019
Notes prepared by: Brian Reid