HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-05-21SAMUEL WILMOT NATURE AREA MANAGEMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MEETING OF MAY 21ST, 2024
MINUTES
NOTE: this meeting was held on site and included a walkabout of the Cobbledick
portion of the Nature Area'
Present: all members
Agenda: no formal agenda
Minutes of Previous meeting: Moved by Tom Hossie, seconded by Leanne Fernandez
that the minutes of the meeting of April 16, 2024 be approved. CARRIED
Updates: Planting events — Leah and Brian provided details on the planting event
undertaken earlier today by students from Courtice High School. A new cultivated
garden had been prepared earlier this month near the entrance to the Memorial Forest
to accommodate the wildflowers plants grown by the students in two classes, one grade
10 and one grade 11. Kate thanked Leah, Brian, Rod, Carmen and Ken and his staff for
their work on this project.
May 25 Annual Planting Event on Lakebreeze Drive :
➢ Brian, Rod and Carmen will pre -dig holes on Friday starting at noon
➢ plants will be delivered to the site Saturday morning by 9:00 a.m.
➢ Brian will hold back a number of plants to be used to supplement the meadow
garden and the new garden ( see above )
Brian and Leah will bring water if rain is not in the offing
Ken has arranged for some picnic table and a porta potty to be delivered to the
site
Pollinator Presentation: Kate confirmed that a representative of GRCA has agreed to
be present at our tagging event in September to provide information sessions re
pollinators etc. This person may also be available to do a similar presentation during the
summer.
Queen's Student- research on invasive plant species — Tom advised that he has been
in touch with a graduate student from Queen's who has just completed her Master's
Thesis on dog strangling vine , garlic mustard , their impact and how they are impacted
by climate change. This person is interested in making a presentation to us, presumably
by zoom, at a future meeting. Tom will forward the dates of upcoming meetings to
determine a suitable one.
Signage:
No foraging signs _ these have been posted
Kiosk on Cobbledick side — an area behind the kiosk has been cleared to make it
accessible for viewing from that side. Some additional " landscaping " work needs to be
done.
Ken has funding to upgrade our current signage. After some discussion, it was agreed
that the priority is to install an enclosed case where we will be able to post notices of
upcoming events etc in a more visible and professional manner on each of the two
kiosks. If possible, the panels need to updated and/or replaced. We would also like to
replace the main sign that used to be at the entrance to the Cobbledick lot. It
disappeared 2-3 years ago! Ken will research and obtain estimates for these projects in
time for our June meeting.
Membership — Ken advised that the names of two new members for the Committee
have been sent to Council for ratification at its next meeting.
At this point, the business portion of the meeting concluded and the members did a
walkabout through the Cobbledick side of the Nature Area.
Adjournment: on returning from the walkabout, adjournment was moved by Patrick
Bothwell.
Next meeting: June 18, 2024