HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-08-13Draft minutes — Not yet approved by Committee
NOTES OF MEETING OF
SAMUEL WILMOT NATURE AREA
MANAGEMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
HELD TUESDAY August 13, 2019
7:00 PM
Present: Rod McArthur
Tom Hossie
Kate Potter
Tyson Brooks
Leo Blindenbach
Brian Reid
Meaghan Vandenbrink
Patrick Bothwell
Councillor Corinna Traill
Regrets
Staff Present
1. AGENDA
Evan King
Peter Windolf
MOVED: by Kate Potter SECONDED by Tyson Brooks
THAT: the agenda for August 12, 2019 be accepted with the following additions;
-Monarch Mission Update
-Durham Field Naturalists birding tour of SWNA
CARRIED
2. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
Approval of Minutes
MOVED: by Leo Blindenbach SECONDED by Tom Hossie
THAT: the minutes of June 11, 2019 be approved
CARRIED
SWNA August 2019 minutes
3. UPDATES
iNaturalist Demonstration
This event is scheduled for Sunday August 18, 9:00-11:OOAM. Tom, Meghan and
Kate will coordinate the event on the Toronto Street side of the SWNA. A poster
has been created for the event and has it been advertised on SWNA social media.
So far the iNaturalist app has been used to record 121 observations of 81 species
by 21 users at the SWNA.
MNR Rangers Program
The Aurora Branch of the MNR confirmed that they did not receive funding for the
Rangers program in 2019. They hope to resume the program in 2020.
Wildflower Seed Grant Application
Prior to the June meeting Leo circulated information about a program by Wildlife
Preservation Canada for grants to purchase wildflower seeds to enhance pollinator
habitat. An applications was submitted in June and in July we received confirmation
that our application was successful.
The project will involve tilling approximately 1.5 acres of grassland at the SWNA to
be seeded with a variety of wildflower seeds. Operations will be asked for
assistance with tilling two separate areas on the Cobbledick side of the SWNA. The
seeds will be spread by committee members in late fall.
Tom will review the available seeds from the recommended supplier Wildflower
Farm and advise on the types of seeds to order.
Monarch Tagging Event
The third annual tagging event has been scheduled for Saturday September 7
10:OOAM-Noon, with a rain date of Sunday September 8. 500 tags were purchased
from Monarch watch and nets will be borrowed from GRCA. Last year's poster will
be revised with a new date and then distributed to the committee members. The
committee agreed the primary site will be Port of Newcastle Waterfront Park. The
secondary location will be the west side of the SWNA, south of the Cobbledick
parking lot.
Mission Monarch
Mission Monarch is a citizen science program documenting the monarch's
reproductive success. The program is part of an international research and
education effort aimed at saving the migratory populations of this endangered
species.
Mission Monarch gathers data on monarch and milkweed distribution and
abundance. This knowledge will allow researchers to identify the monarch's
breeding hotspots and implement efficient conservation actions.
SWNA August 2019 minutes
Brian and Tom participated this year. Brian observed 371 Milkweed plants, no
eggs, 1 caterpillar and 66 live monarchs.
Durham Field Naturalists birding tour of SWNA
On Saturday August 24 at 10:OOAM Brian Reid will lead a tour of the SWNA for the
Durham Field Naturalists. All SWNA committee members are welcome to attend.
4. OTHER BUSINESS
Newcastle Harvest Festival
The committee agreed to have a presence at this year's Newcastle Harvest Festival
October 5, 9:OOAM-2:OOPM. Leo will bring the committee tent, Kate and Meaghan
will staff the tent to promote community awareness of the SWNA.
Wildlife/Environmental Awareness Festival
The committee has agreed to participate in this new event on November 23 and 24.
It will consist of vendors and environmental groups to help create environmental
awareness. There will be live animal demonstrations, meet and greet with the
animals and a live birds of prey exhibit. There is no cost for environmental groups
like the SWNA committee to participate.
Bowmanville Lions request for SWNA talk
The Bowmanville Lions Club has requested a speaker from the SWNA Committee
for their September 9 meeting to talk about activities at the SWNA. Brian Reid has
agreed to attend and will provide PowerPoint presentation on the committees
mandate and recent activities. Kate and Brian will update the existing SWNA
PowerPoint presentation.
Envision Durham Environmental Discussion paper
Envision Durham is the Municipal Comprehensive Review of the Durham Regional
Official Plan.
The Environmental Discussion paper discussion is scheduled for release in the fall
of 2019. The public is invited to provide input and the SWNA may submit
comments. Kate is on the mailing list to receive the Environmental Discussion paper
and will bring it to the committee at the appropriate time.
5. MOTION TO ADJOURN
MOVED: by Kate Potter SECONDED by Councillor Corinna Traill
THAT: the meeting be adjourned.
CARRIED
Adjournment 8:20 PM
Next Meeting: Tuesday September 10, 2019
Notes prepared by: Peter Windolf