HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-04-16Samuel Wilmot Nature Area Management
Advisory Committee
MINUTES
April 16, 2024, 8:00 P.M.
Diane Hamre Recreation Centre
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Participation:
Y/N
Person
Y/N
Person
y
Brian Reid (Past Chair)
y
Leanne Fernandez
y
Carmen Aeillo
N
Leo Blindenbach
y
Councillor Margaret Zwart (Council
Liaison)
N
Patrick Bothwell
y
Kate Potter (Chair)
y
Tom Hossie (Vice Chair)
y
Ken Mercer (Staff)
y
Rod McArthur
y
Leah Bourgeois
Agenda Items
1. Call To Order And Welcome - Kate
2. Additions To The Agenda / Adoption Of The Agenda — moved by Leanne Fernandez,
seconded by Leah Bourgeois that the agenda be approved CARRIED
3. Adoption Of Minutes Of Previous Meeting - moved by Tom Hossie, seconded by Leah
Bourgeois that the minutes of the meeting of March 25, 2024, be approved.
CARRIED
4. Committee Administration
a. Terms of Reference — Ken reported that the revised Terms of Reference had been
passed by Council and will be circulated to members
b. Advertising of member vacancies — Ken reported that advertising for two
vacancies for our committee will begin as per the above approval
c. Annual report to Council — Kate advised that she is continuing to work on this
5. SWNA Workplan:
a. Q2
Spring clean up — April 20t" - all in order
ii. Bird box maintenance - Brian reported that this had been completed by
Rod, Carmen , Deb and himself. He outlined serious concerns about the
extensive clearing done by the Region in the area just above the
waterfront trail on Toronto Street. The area in question extends all the
way from Toronto Street to the top of Bote hill — and will probably
involve areas west of there. The concerns are: 1) notice was not provided
to the committee until the day before the work began. It is unclear
whether any consultation took place with the municipality about the
project. Certainly, our committee was not involved — even though we
had asked questions about it since fencing first appeared on the western
end of the project area more than a year ago. Diagrams were provided
when we requested them but did not clarify the extent of the clearing
that was done. It was extensive, involving some larger trees as well as
shrubs and meadowland. This area housed a dozen bird nesting boxes
and was also habitat for American woodcock and other species . Brian
was able to speak to the regional engineer in charge of the project
approximately a week and a half after contacting her. Based on that
conversation, we removed/relocated the birdboxes . We also were
dismayed to learn that there were no plans to replant or otherwise
restore the affected area. The Committee was disappointed by the
manner in which this project has been implemented and the lack of
consultation and notice. It was noted that this is not an isolated incident:
the work done on the storm drainage pond below the Toronto Street
parking lot was undertaken in a similar fashion
iii. Invasive weed removal — deferred until next year
iv. Wildflower planting - on track for May 25t". Plants have been ordered.
Marking and pre -digging of holes will be done a day or two prior to the
event, based on weather considerations. We will concentrate on in -filling
the existing planted area along Lakebreeze Drive with some extension to
the west. Some plants will be used to supplement planting in the
wildflower meadow garden
A supplementary event will take place on the Cobbledick side on May
215t involved students from Courtice High School. Brian and Leah will
coordinate this for the committee. Brian and Ken will meet to discuss the
area in question and arrange to have some mowing and cultivation done
well before that date. Leah and Brian will arrange to meet with the
teacher involved prior to that date as well.
V. Leaf ID — Councillor Zwart advised that a representative from GRCA (
Lindsay Champagne )has offered to conduct a walkabout event in June
relating to tree identification.
b. Q3 and Q4
i. Moth week — all in order for July ( Tom )
ii. Monarch tagging- all in order for September ( Tom et al )
iii. Pollinator presentation - GRCA representative Lindsay Champagne will
attend our tagging event on September 14t" and provide information
sessions about pollinators at that time
iv. Atlantic salmon — booked and confirmed for October 201" (Leah )
V. Bird box maintenance (fall) — all in order ( Brian )
vi. Christmas bird count — pending ( Brian )
c. Last quarter (Q1)
i. LEAF program — see above
ii. SWNA codes —Tom provided data on the number of views of our various
QR Code markers since installation:
Monarchs 85; Salmon 34; Coyotes 64; Snake Hlbernaculem 144; Moths
58; Invasive Species 60; Cultural History 53
6. External Projects:
a. (Update) Special projects / general update on relevant items from the
Municipality of Clarington (Ken)
i. Management Plan — nothing to report
ii. Parks and Recreation Plan — nothing to report
iii. Waterfront Strategy— nothing to report
iv. Stormwater Plant work — nothing to report ( although work is expected
to resume shortly )
V. Fiddlehead signage — will arrive shortly and be installed promptly
vi. Kiosk work — Ken advised that we have funding to do some upgrades to
one or both of our kiosks. We will review what we wish to see done as
part of May on -site meeting. It was suggested that one priority is to
provide a better means of displaying notices of our events etc. possibly
by some type of enclosed " bulletin board ".
vii. Salt removal —the pile of road salt that had been dumped in the Toronto
Street parking lot has been removed
7. Other Business
a. By-law infractions (camping, fishing, mountain biking/pits, harvesting) — nothing
new reported. See item about fiddlehead signage above
b. Visit by Durham Region Field Naturalists — Brian reported that this event, held on
March 30t" was very well attended ( 25 members ) and received. Brian has posted
a blog article about the event. Another will be held in the fall, focussing on the
Cobbledick side of the Nature Area. It was noted that members of DRFN have
supported and attended our various events in the past and that they are a
valuable source of expertise
8. Round Table —All Members
9. Tom noted that we need to cleanout the fishing line receptacles. Brian will make
arrangements with Rod and Carmen to look after this. Tom also noted that spring
ephemerals will be starting to show any time now throughout the Nature Area
10. Next Meeting - May 215Y on site at the Cobbledick Road parking lot starting at 6:30
p.m.
11. Adjournment: moved by Leanne Fernandez, seconded by Leah Bourgeois
CARRIED