HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-11-19Samuel Wilmot Nature Area
Management Advisory Committee
MINUTES
November 19, 2024
Virtual
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Particiaation:
Y/N
Person
Y/N
Person
Y
Brian Reid (Past Chair)
Y
Leanne Fernandez
Y
Carmen Aeillo
Y
Leo Blindenbach
R
Councillor Margaret Zwart (Council Liaison)
Y
Patrick Bothwell
Y
Kate Potter (Chair)
Y
Tom Hossie (Vice Chair)
Y
Ken Mercer (Staff)
Y
Rod McArthur
R
Leah Bourgeois
Y
Meg Vandenbrink
Y
Kayla Stephens
Agenda Items
1. Call To Order And Welcome — Kate Potter
2. Additions To The Agenda / Adoption Of The Agenda — moved by Leanne,
seconded by Patrick - CARRIED
3. Adoption Of Minutes Of Previous Meeting - moved by Tom, seconded by Rod
CARRIED
4. Committee Administration
a. Annual report to Council — Kate advised that this is progressing well.
Councilor Zwart has provided possible dates for a presentation to be made
to Council: January 13, February 3rd or March 3rd. Kate will coordinate with
Tom re best date. Presenters will be given 20 minutes. Ken will determine
if any slides etc need to be provided in advance
5. SWNA Workplan:
a. Q3 and Q4
Bird box maintenance (fall) — Brian, Carmen, Rod and Tom
determined that this could be deferred until spring. We had
switched to doing this in the fall three years ago when we
discovered that some well-intentioned member of the public was
doing this without our knowledge, thereby affecting our data
collection. With the signage we have placed on the boxes, this
problem seems to have abated.
ii. Christmas bird count — still planning on proceeding but still awaiting
the name of a contact person for our area. If such is not soon made
known to us, we will proceed on our own
iii. Fall clean up — less collected in previous years, probably no more
than the equivalent of six full bags — and much of that related to
some type of party on the beach plus things discarded from cars
along Toronto Street. Blog article thanked the public for its
cooperation in using receptacles etc.
b. 2025 Workplan Ideas Brainstorming
This portion of the meeting was devoted to brainstorming ideas for activities , events etc
that we would like to continue next year and to suggest new ones to consider. After some
discussion, it was agreed that we would continue with our " core " activities ( perhaps with
some modifications ), those activities being:
➢ SPRING AND FALL CLEANUPS
➢ SPRING WILDFLOWER PLANTING- see item below
➢ MOTH WEEK
➢ FALL MONARCH TAGGING — possibly relocate to Cobbledick side
New ideas:
➢ Tree identification - as a public event with signage provided thereafter. It was
suggested that we invite the municipal arborist to a meeting to discuss such a
project
➢ Invasive plant removal — it was agreed that this should proceed. We will need to
map out an area to address , probably starting with patches of garlic mustard in
the April -May period
➢ Restoration of the area affected by the Regional watermain project. Ken advised
that the project calls for hydroseeding to be done this fall ( and perhaps again in
the spring ) involving a mix of grasses and wildflowers. It was suggested that we
could possibly undertake our annual spring wildflower planting on this site to
supplement the hydroseeding
➢ Photography " Contest " — this was a successful event done a number of years
ago. It was agreed that we could do a version of this again in 2025, tapping into
the many local photographers known to frequent the SWNA. Kayla expressed
interest in taking a lead role in such a project.
➢ Communications strategy — although not a " project" per se, it was agreed that we
need to have a more formalized, structured approach to promoting our activities
and generally letting the public know what we are doing. The municipal
communications department might be able to assist. It was suggested that a
representative of that department could be invited to a future meeting to discuss.
Our own use of social media has had mixed results, depending on the event or
target audience. It was noted that the loss of a Clarington-wide newspaper has
made things more difficult. There was also discussion about how to better
engage/involve local schools/students.
6. External Projects:
a. (Update) Special projects / general update on relevant items from the
Municipality of Clarington (Ken)
Management Plan — nothing to report
ii. Parks and Recreation Plan — is now posted on line for anyone to
review
iii. Waterfront Strategy — nothing to report
iv. Stormwater Plant work — next phase will be proceeding very soon.
Kate and Tom will arrange a time to meet on site with the regional
representative who has contacted us recently. Other members of
the committee will be advised when this meeting will take place so
they may attend as well if available.
V. Newcastle WPCP Upgrades — Ken advised that the tie-in to the
main line is scheduled to be done on December 3rd. The waterfront
trail has now been reopened, although the Cobbledick parking lot
remains closed.
vi. Information Board/Signage — Ken provided information and images
of display units available for installation at both entrances to the
SWNA. We appear to have sufficient funds to acquire two of the
larger units and possibly a third smaller one. These are enclosed,
lockable, weather proof units that would allow us to post notices
etc. where they would be more visible than our existing kiosks.
After some discussion, the committee asked Ken to proceed.
These would be installed in the spring of 2025. It was noted that
this should assist us with the communications issue referred to
above.
7. Other Business
a. By-law infractions (camping, fishing, mountain biking/pits, harvesting) —
none reported
8. Round Table — All Members
Kate advised that she had seen an owl in the SWNA and that others had told her
they had seen them as well. Meg reported that she still walks in the area regularly
and is pleased to note that we have relatively little garbage and litter. Rod noted
that despite the closure of the Cobbledick parking lot these past couple of months,
usage of that side of the SWNA continues to be strong.
9. Next Meeting: January 21s' — location TBD, although the meeting will be a hybrid
one.
10.Adjournment — moved by Patrick and Leanne