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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-06-16Present: Regrets Staff Present: 1. AGENDA Draft minutes — Not vet approved by Committee NOTES OF MEETING OF SAMUEL WILMOT NATURE AREA MANAGEMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE HELD TUESDAY JUNE 16, 2020 6:30 PM On -Site Meaghan Vandenbrink Kate Potter Leo Blindenbach Rod McArthur Maggie Luczak Jocelyn Whalen Peter Windolf Tom Hossie Patrick Bothwell Brian Reid Carrie -Anne Atkins Councillor Corinna Traill MOVED: by Patrick Bothwell SECONDED by Tom Hossie THAT: the agenda for June 16, 2020 be accepted; CARRIED 2. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING Approval of Minutes MOVED: by Patrick Bothwell SECONDED by Leo Blindenbach THAT: the minutes of March 10, 2020 be approved CARRIED SWNA June 2020 minutes 3. UPDATES New Member Introduction Maggie Luczak was introduced to the committee. She is a Courtice resident appointed by Council to the committee in March. Maggie is an Environmental Studies and Business student at Trent University with an interest in pollinator planning. Pollinator Presentation April 26, 2020 A presentation by Sheila Colla, an interdisciplinary Conservation Biologist interested in pollinator conservation was scheduled for Sunday April 26 at the Diane Hamre Recreation Centre in Newcastle. Due to the Covid-19 shut down of municipal facilities and the provincial order banning large gatherings, the event will have to be postponed until a future date perhaps March or April 2021. Brian Reid has communicated with Dr. Colla and she will be available in the future when events such as this are permitted again. SWNA Retractable Banner At the March meeting the committee reviewed sample graphics for a retractable banner that could be used at future events. Kate Potter will revise the graphics which will then be provided to the banner manufacturer to create a proof. The committee would review the proof prior to authorizing the production of the banner. Monarch Tagging Committee members will proceed with tagging Monarchs during the fall migration. A public event will not be held due to the restrictions on large gatherings and physical distancing. 500 tags will be ordered from Monarch Watch, the committee believes they would all be used over a two -week period during the migration. Patrick Bothwell will distribute the nets to members. Fall butterfly habitat planting along Port of Newcastle Park The committee has applied to OPG for funding to expand the butterfly habitat planting at Port of Newcastle Park. This planting would usually occur in the spring but due to Covid-19 restrictions that was not possible this year. If the grant from OPG is approved the planting could occur in the fall, but not as a public event. Carrie -Anne Atkins will check with OPG on the status of the funding application. November wildflower garden seeding The site for the wildflower seeding has been tilled 3 or 4 times by Kirk Kemp from Algoma Orchards. He will continue to till the area throughout the summer in preparation for seeding in November. South viewing platform and Snake Hibernaculum sign The south viewing platform is missing sections of railing and will require substantial work to be safe for public use. Operations has fenced off the access. The replacement/repair of the platform will be submitted for consideration in the 2021 budget. SWNA June 2020 minutes 4. OTHER BUSINESS Fiddlehead Foraging Some members of the committee have observed people foraging for fiddleheads at the SWNA, often filling large bags. The foraging occurs during a brief window each spring before the ferns have fully leafed out. The removal of any plants from municipal parks is a violation of Clarington's Park Bylaw. The committee decided that each spring temporary laminated signs would be installed at the SWNA access locations to specifically indicate that removing fiddleheads is a violation of Clarington's Park Bylaw. 5. MOTION TO ADJOURN MOVED: by Rod McArthur SECONDED by Carrie -Anne Atkins THAT: the meeting be adjourned. CARRIED Adjournment 7:45 PM Next Meeting tentative date: Tuesday July 14, 2020, Location TBD Committee will be notified a week in advance if the July meeting is to be held Notes prepared by: Peter Windolf