HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-02-10 Minutes
Draft minutes - Not vet approved bv Committee
NOTES OF MEETING OF
SAMUEL WILMOT NATURE AREA
MANAGEMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
HELD ON TUESDAY February 10, 2009
AT 7:00 P.M.
Present:
(V oting)
David Best
Jim Cleland
Joe McKenna
Karin Murphy
Arthur Burrows
Shirley Minifie
Kerry Meydam
Brian Reid
Dan Stanoi
Also Present: Peter Windolf
(Non-Voting) Greg Wells (GRCA)
Dianne Graham
Regrets:
John Stoner
Councillor Willie Woo
Absent:
Warren May (MNR)
1. Agenda
Additions
There were no additions to the agenda.
Acceptance of Agenda
MOVED by David Best, seconded by Jim Cleland
THAT the agenda for February 10,2009 be accepted.
CARRIED
2. Minutes of October 14,2008
Corrections
No. #6 Updates
Title "Trials" should read "Trails"
1-4
Approval of Minutes
MOVED by Brian Reid, seconded by David Best
THAT the minutes of October 14,2008 be approved.
CARRIED
3. Issues arising from the Minutes
There were no issues arising from the minutes.
4. Sub-Committee Reports
Communications
Joe McKenna will begin drafting a spring 2009 newsletter. Articles may
include:
. Information about the fall 2008 planting project on Toronto Street
. Possible Special Events in 2009
. Article with photos of the boat launch created for the Durham Wetland
Monitoring project
Maintenance
In October and November the committee removed a mountain bike obstacle course that
had been constructed in the woods at the north end of the marsh. The course was
removed because of safety concerns and the impact it would have on the forest
ecosystem. The course consisted of earth mounds, depressions and wood ramps.
5. Updates
DEAC Nominations
Nominations for the Durham Environmental Achievement awards are due March 2. The
SWNA committee will be nominated for the Irene Kock Education/Communication
award. A nomination package has been prepared highlighting the committee's efforts to
create opportunities for the public to learn about and experience the natural environment.
The nomination package includes samples of the SWNA PowerPoint presentation,
interpretive signs, special events and newsletters. The Lions Club of Newcastle has
submitted a letter in support of the nomination. The awards will be presented at a
ceremony in May 2009.
2009 CFWIP Application
The CFWIP application has been submitted. The project included in this year's
application is the Lake Meadow Restoration- Phase 3. The planting project is intended to
improve habitat for birds and butterflies through the planting of native shrubs and
perennials. Committee members have noticed a decline in songbirds at the SWNA so
fruit bearing shrubs will be planted to create more abundant sources of food.
MNR Rangers 2009 work program
This SWNAC may have the opportunity to use the MNR Rangers for 2 days during the
summer. Potential Projects include;
· Creating a woodchip trail though the woods at the north end of the marsh
. Helping plant the shrubs and perennials we hope to by if our 2009 CFWIP grant is
approved.
PowerPoint Presentations
The PowerPoint Presentations for Durham Field Naturalists and the Wilmot Community
Auxiliary Committee are being rescheduled for the spring due to John Stoners absence.
Both Karin and Shirley expressed an interest in delivering the presentation so the
presentation notes will be distributed at the March meeting.
The committee also discussed PowerPoint Presentations for local schools to educate
students about the SWNA and encourage field trips to the site. However the lack of a
port-a-potty was seen as a detriment to having school groups visit the site.
Portable Washroom
The committee again discussed the need for a port-a-potty at the SWNA. This has been a
topic of discussion for many years by the committee. The area is heavily used by
members of the community for hiking, dog walking, bird watching, specials events, and
community planting projects. It is the municipality's largest park with the Waterfront
Trail passing through the site. In January 2009 a request was made to include a port-a-
potty for the SWNA in the 2009 municipal contract administered by the Operations
Department. The request was denied citing criteria to only install them at parks with 2
permitted sports fields or designated picnic areas. The committee suggested that the
amount of use should be the determining factor regardless of whether it is a sports park or
a nature park. After some discussion the following motion was considered;
Motion: "The SWNA Committee requests that the Operations Department install a port-
a-potty in 2009 at the Samuel Wilmot Nature Area to be located in the Cobbledick Road
parking lot".
MOVED by Joe McKenna, seconded by Shirley Minifie
THAT the motion on February 10, 2009 be accepted.
CARRIED
6. Other Business/Next Meeting
2009 Special Events
The committee discussed special events for 2009 which could include.
. Bird watching and spring count-Brian will contact the Durham Field Naturalists
to see if they are able and willing to assist
. Butterflies, bugs & birds-same format as previous events
. Reptile Display-Peter to check on costs
. Owl Prowl-Greg Wells will check with GRCA staff to see if this is something
they can do.
Adjournment:
8:30 P.M.
Next Meeting:
Tuesday March 10, 2009
7:00 p.m.
Meeting Room lA
Notes prepared by D. Graham