HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-03-09 MinutesDraft minutes -Not yet approved by Committee
NOTES OF MEETING OF
SAMUEL WILMOT NATURE AREA
MANAGEMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
HELD ON TUESDAY MARCH 9, 2010
AT 7:00 P.M.
Present: (Voting) Karin'Murphy -Vice Chair David Best
Jim Cleland Pat Mulcahy
Councillor Willie Woo Shirley Minifie
Dan Stanoi
Staff Present: Peter Windolf Greg Wells - GRCA
Regrets: .Joe McKenna Arthur Burrows
Jolu1 Stoner -Chair Brian Reid
Absent: Warren May
1. Agenda
Additions
Marsh fire
Woodchips for trails
Bird and Mammal Count
Acceptance of A eg nda
MOVED by Shirley Minifie, seconded by David Best
THAT the agenda for March 9, 2010 be accepted.
CARRIED
2. Minutes of February 16, 2010
Corrections
There were no corrections to the minutes
Approval of Minutes
MOVED by Dan Stanoi, seconded by Jim Cleland
THAT the minutes of January 20, 2010 be approved.
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CARRIED
3. Issues arising from the Minutes
There were no issues arising from the minutes.
4. Special Presentation -Leslie Wilson
On Saturday June 5 and Sunday June 6 the SWNA committee will host Trails Open
walks at the SWNA. Several members have volunteered to guide tours of the site. To
provide the committee with accurate historical information about the Wilmot Fish
Hatchery and the SWNA property Leslie Wilson, local historian, gave a presentation to
the committee, some interesting facts included;
- The Wilmot family never lived on the property that now forms the SWNA. `Their
home and fish hatchery were located north of Hwy 2 on the east side of the
Wilmot Creek.
- The creek was also known as Baldwin Creek and Salmon Creek during. different
periods prior to being named Wilmot Creek.
- The pollution from mills located along the creek was a major reason for the
decline of Atlantic salmon in Ontario creeks and rivers.
- Samuel Wilmot tools it upon himself to prevent the disappearance of salmon
from waterways. In 1866 he began to experiment with the artificial breeding of
salmon
- Encouraged by his success the federal government began Ontario's first fish
hatchery on the site in 1868.
- 155 million fish were ultimately distributed from his various hatchery's.
- Wilmot has been recognized around the world for his fish breeding expertise.
- By 1914 the Newcastle Fish Hatchery buildings were more than 50 years old
and in need of extensive repairs. The hatchery closed at the start of WWI when
federal funding was re-directed to the war effort.
- The hatchery building was torn down in the 1920's and the hatchery ponds have
silted over.
- The only remnant of the hatchery is the original Wilmot home located on Given
Road. That home is actually the second house built on the original foundation of
the Wilmot homestead which was destroyed by fire in the late 1800's.
5. Sub-Committee Reports
Maintenance
Jim has requested woodchips to augment the existing woodchip walkway at the lake
lookout and for the trail on the Toronto Street side leading to the lake.
Operations will be asked to supply the woodchips however until the ground hardens it
will not be possible to get woodchips to the lake lookout.
ommunications
Joe will be asked to provide a copy of Shirley's article regarding the Great Canadian
Shoreline Clean-up to Jennifer so she can post it on the biog.
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6. Updates
Winter Bird and Mammal Count
A Winter Bird and Mammal Count was conducted on February 7. The count was lead by
John Foster from the Durham Field Naturalists.
Jim expressed concern that there was double counting of the same birds and mammals by
separate teams that could lead to incorrect numbers. John Foster will be invited to a
future meeting to talk about the bird and mammal count and explain the methodology.
Marsh Fire
Jim and Shirley reported that the cattails in the interior of the marsh have been burned.
Grass fires are common in the spring due to the dry vegetation from the previous season's
growth. The cause of the fire is unknown but the damage to the marsh is minimal because
new vegetation has yet to emerge and nesting birds have not returned to the SWNA this
early in the season.
SWNA Blot
The SWNA blog is up and running with 81 pageviews to date. The blog provides up-to-
date information about the SWNA, Committee members were reminded that they can
submit content for the blog to either Jennifer O'Donnell or Peter Windolf.
The blog's address is httpJ/swnanews.wordpress.com
7. Other Business
None
Motion to Adiourn
MOVED by Pat Mulcahy, seconded by Shirley Minifie
THAT the meeting be adjourned.
C~IRRIED
Adjournment: 8:15 P.M.
Next Meeting: Tuesday Apri113, 2010
7:00 p.m.
Meeting Room lA
Notes prepared by P. Windolf