HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-02-09SAMUEL WILMOT NATURE AREA
MANAGEMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF MEETING OF FEBRUARY 9, 2021
7:00 P.M. via Microsoft Teams
PRESENT: Brian Reid ( Chair), Ken Mercer (Staff ), Kate Potter ( Vice -
Chair), Leo Blindenbach, Meaghan Vandenbrink, Carrie -Anne Atkins,
Rod McArthur, Patrick Bothwell, Tom Hossie, Corinna Traill, Kim
Maxwell (guest)
REGRETS: Maggie Luczak, Jocelyn Whalen
WELCOME: Brian welcomed everyone, noting that this was our first
meeting of the new year. He welcomed and introduced Kim Maxwell
to the meeting representing Bowmanville Valleys with whom our
committee has been communicating recently about a proposed
interpretative signage project.
Acceptance of Agenda:
Moved by Kate Potter, seconded by Patrick Bothwell that the agenda
for this evening's meeting be accepted. CARRIED
MINUTES OF MEETING OF NOVEMBER 10, 2020:
No errors or omissions were noted.
Moved by Leo Blindenbach, seconded by Patrick Bothwell that the
minutes of the meeting of November 10, 2020 be approved.
CARRIED.
UPDATES:
Interpretative signage project:
SWNA Committee member Jocelyn Whalen had attended a recent
meeting of Bowmanville Valleys and established a liaison with that
organization who had initiated an interpretative signage project over
a year ago. Kim Maxwell, representing that group, described some of
the features of its project and fielded questions from the SWNA
members. There are 13 " stations" or " discs " positioned
throughout the Bowmanville Valleys project zone. Kim noted that
usage ( ie "taps" on the signage) has been considerable. She also
noted that some vandalism had been experienced and suggested that
any project should include some budget for repairs.
Tom Hossie suggested using a " QR code" approach vs the chip
approach used by BV. It was agreed that this would be more cost
effective, faster to implement and would allow us an opportunity to
monitor its usage to determine if we wished to continue or expand
the initiative. It was also noted that we could probably use the
existing interpretative signs that we already have in place throughout
the Nature Area as bases for the QR stickers.. After some discussion,
it was agreed that the subcommittee exploring this project would
focus on that approach. Councillor Traill was asked to connect the
committee with the appropriate municipal staff person or
department who could assist us with technical issues, permissions etc.
WINTER TRAIL MAINTENANCE:
Councillor Traill reported that Council had approved a motion she had
presented on our behalf to maintain the flat portions of the trails
within the Nature Area during the winter months. The usage of the
trails has increased significantly since the Covid pandemic began as a
means of obtaining safe outdoor exercise etc. The council motion
expressly indicated that salt was NOT to be used on the trails because
of the environmental implications. Some discussion took place as to
whether it was possible to maintain the trails properly with SOME salt
being used. Councillor Traill agreed to approach other parties, such as
CLOCA, to determine how they were addressing this issue.
The Committee thanked Councillor Traill for bringing forward this
motion on our behalf.
PRESENTATION TO KIRK KEMP:
The SWNA Committee had asked the municipal Council to formally
recognize Mr. Kemp for his efforts in supporting our pollinator garden
project. A presentation was scheduled to be done at the Council
meeting of February 8t". However, due to technical difficulties, the
actual presentation was not broadcast. Council agreed to make the
presentation at some point in the future when the public will be able
to see it. Brian noted that our committee has sent a letter of
appreciation to Mr. Kemp in December and posted an article thanking
him on our blog.
SPRING PLANTING PROJECT:
The committee set aside Saturday May 29t", 2021 as the tentative
date for this year's project. Obviously, this will be Covid dependant
and may have to be done in a somewhat different and creative way.
PLANNING FOR 2021:
This portion of the meeting was set aside to discuss possible events,
projects and priories for the coming year. Those items referred to
above will be part of the year's plans. In addition, we look forward to
seeing the first results of our wildflower planting project this
spring/summer. It was generally felt that we should continue our
focus on promoting pollinator habitat improvement, monarch tagging
etc. Tom Hossie suggested a Moth night ( or nights ) that could be
held during National Moth Week in July. He has taken part in this in
the past on his own on the SWNA grounds with considerable success.
There is potential for this to be a public event, if somewhat limited in
numbers. There was considerable enthusiasm for this idea and it was
agreed that we would plan accordingly.
The idea of holding a digital scavenger hunt, perhaps connected to
Naturalist, was discussed. It was agreed that this could be relatively
easy to mount and has a learning/educational component to it that
has a lot of appeal .
OTHER BUSINESS: Councilor Traill asked about our social media
presence and suggested we might wish to consider " rationalizing " it
to get the maximum benefit and exposure for the Nature Area and its
activities. At present, the facebook page maintained by Leo has done
a tremendous job of providing information, and has a large following,
although it is not devoted exclusively to the SWNA. Our own facebook
page is not consistently maintained. The blog is also used as a
medium for articles and information to be disseminated.
The committee agreed to look at this overall issue more closely in the
months ahead.
NEXT MEETING: Tuesday March 9 at 7:00 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT: moved by Rod McArthur, seconded by Tom Hossie
that the meeting be adjourned. CARRIED