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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-01-11Samuel Wilmot Nature Area Management Advisory Committee (SWNAMAC) MINUTES Date: January 11, 2022 Time: 7:00 p.m. Place: Held Virtually via Microsoft Teams Attendance: Kate Potter, Leo Blindenbach, Tom Hossie, Carmen Aeillo, Meg Vandenbrink, Kristen Brent, Leah Bourgeois, Brian Reid, Ken Mercer ( staff ) Regrets: Rod McArthur, Patrick Bothwell, Councillor Corinna Traill 1. Call to Order 1.1. Brian welcomed everyone to this first meeting of the new year with a special welcome to our three new members. 2. Additions to the Agenda 2.1. New study of the Treatment Plant adjacent to the Toronto Street parking lot. Ken advised that a study was underway re the above, conducted by the Region. The document outlining the study will be circulated to all members for their consideration. 3. Adoption of the Agenda — moved by Kate Potter, seconded by Meg Vandenbrink that the agenda, with additions as noted, be approved. CARRIED. 4. Introduction of New Members- Brian asked all current members to introduce themselves and then invited each of our three new members to do the same: 4.1. Kristen Brent, Leah Bourgeois, and Carmen Aiello 4.2. Thank you to outgoing member Carrie -Anne Atkins — Brian expressed his appreciation to outgoing member Carrie -Anne for her contributions to our Committee 4.3. Condolences — Councillor Traill — Brian advised members of the tragic passing of Councillor Traill's partner Matt Black. Matt was often present at our activities etc., including our most recent fall cleanup. 5. Adoption of Minutes of Previous Meeting(s) - moved by Leo Blindenbach, seconded by Kate Potter that the minutes of the meeting of November 8t", 2021, be approved. CARRIED. 6. Status Reports/Updates 6.1. South Lookout — Completed 6.2. Storm Drainage Pond — Ken advised that Kaitlin now has the required permits. Work should begin in the spring. 6.3. Butternut Tree Planting — Ken advised that this issue remains with the municipality and developer. Obviously, no planting would be done until spring. 6.4. Winter Maintenance Trail — Ken advised that snow removal will continue as required. In response to a question about salting, Ken said that the mixture was one of sand with a small amount of salt. 6.5. Silt Fencing along Waterfront Trail — Ken thinks the material in question can be removed by his crews. He will investigate this further. 6.6. Mowing of Wildflower Area along Waterfront/Lakeshore Drive — Ken advised that now that the ground is frozen this work can proceed. He will work with Tom and Leo to make sure the appropriate area is covered. 6.7. Signage re Bridge Surfaces — Ken reported that these will be affixed in conjunction with other signage being installed at other bridges within the municipality's jurisdiction 6.8. Scouting Group/Birdhouses — Leo reported that the plans had been sent to the group, and that the materials have been acquired. 7. New Business 7.1. Plans and Priorities for 2022 — all members Kate agreed to maintain the calendar/chart that she developed last year to track our various events and activities. In no particular order of priority, the following suggestions and ideas were presented. It was noted that some of these are things which we do routinely each year and which we need or wish to continue. Spring Cleanup — in conjunction with the Port of Newcastle and Bond Head — Leo will act as the point person again Moth Night — this was a " new" event, spearheaded by Tom, held in July and proved to be popular despite the limitations imposed by Covid. It was agreed that this is something we would like to do again Digital Scavenger hunt — this has also proved to be a popular event, particularly with the younger crowd. Again, it was agreed that we would undertake this again, perhaps on an ongoing basis, to tie in with our I Naturalist project to compile a data base of the flora and fauna of the Nature Area. Interpretative Signage — this project was discussed previously and some work had been done concerning it. However, the departure of one of the committee members involved with the project had resulted in it being put " on hold. " It was agreed that this could be resurrected with the use of simple QR codes being developed and affixed perhaps to existing signage. A subcommittee of the following people agreed to work on content and implementation: Brian, Kristen, Tom, Kate and Meg Spring Planting Event — Brian will explore the possibilities around securing funding for the purchase of additional plants for the waterfront area. Monarch Tagging event - we intend to do this once again this fall, hopefully as a true public community event Spring Bird Box Cleanout etc — Brian will coordinate this annual task which is usually undertaken in early to mid -April. Brian noted that several boxes will need to be reinstalled/relocated. These were removed by Brian and Leo to protect them from damage when the work began at the storm drainage pond. Usage survey: Kate suggested that we undertake a survey to obtain data concerning the use of the Nature Area ( numbers, time of use, cyclists.pets etc. )Brian noted that we had done such a survey a number of years ago and that he thought he still had some of the templates available which could be reworked, He reminded everyone that it is somewhat labour intensive but that this could be managed by the committee members working in shifts. It was also suggested that students might be involved to earn community service hours. Kate will also contact GRCA to see if they have a sample template for such purposes. Carmen asked if some type of signage could be installed , particularly near Bote Hill, to remind cyclists and hikers to watch out for one another. Ken will investigate. Presentations: we have normally held at least one such " event " each year but covid has prevented this for the past two year. Brian noted that the professor from York who had previously offered to do a presentation on bees/pollination was probably still prepared to do so. Kate suggested that something related to the theme of How to Coexist with Wildlife might also be appropriate. Following the meeting, Kate sent the following suggestions relating to involving people in citizen science initiatives.: • participation in the Great Backyard Bird Count and/or /Christmas Bird Count • participation in Project Feeder Watch • something re monitoring of invasive species • participation in plant watch • participation in ice watch Brian is prepared to look further into the first two of these as he has had involvement in them through the Durham Region Field Naturalists. 8. Other Business — Tom reported having seen yellow paint marking trees in the old growth forest, certainly not put there by the committee. It was suggested that we endeavor to mark the trail in a different way. Brian reported that a number of years ago, we had installed proper trail markers with the SWNA Logo on them but that all of them have now disappeared. He still has a few remaining and will undertake to get them installed. Carmen offered to assist with this. 9. Round Table — All Members — several members reported on recent visits to the nature area, including the sighting of a barred owl and bufflehead ducks. One noted the high level of usage by different groups — eg anglers and families just walking on the beach - and was impressed with their respectful coexistence. 10. Next Meeting 10.1. Tuesday February 8, 2022 (virtual or in -person TBD) 11. Adjournment — the meeting adjourned at approximately 8:30 p.m.