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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-09-16Samuel Wilmot Nature Area Management Advisory Committee Minutes September 16, 2025, 7:00 p.m. Room 1c Municipal Administrative Center or Microsoft Teams Present: Y/N Person Y/N Person Y Brian Reid (Past Chair) N Leanne Fernandes Y Carmen Aeillo Y Lou Itier Y Councillor Margaret Zwart (Council Liaison) N Patrick Bothwell N Kate Potter (Chair) Y Tom Hossie (Vice Chair) Y Ken Mercer (Staff) Y Rod McArthur Y Leah Bourgeois Y Meg Vandenbrink Y Kayla Stephens Also Present: Jennifer Smith ( Also Present: Jennifer Smith (Municipality of Clarington, Manager of Parks) 1. Call to Order Brain Reid called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 2. Land Acknowledgement Statement Brian Reid led the meeting with the Land Acknowledgement Statement. 3. Additions to the Agenda/Adoption of the Agenda Moved by Meg Vandenbrink, seconded by Carmen Aiello, that the agenda be accepted, with no additions. Carried 4. Declaration of Pecuniary Interest There were no declarations of pecuniary interest stated at this meeting. 5. Adoption of Minutes Moved by Rod McArthur, seconded by Carmen Aiello that the minutes of the meeting of August 19, 2025, be approved. Carried 6. Committee Administration There were no topics to be added to this meeting. 7. SWNA Workplan Q3 a. Monarch Tagging Event – all • Carmen described the event as a great success, highlighting the wonderful turnout across all age groups. • Rod echoed this sentiment, noting that the event was well received by attendees and overall, a very positive experience. • Leah felt the new location at the Cobbledick Rd. entrance was a strong choice, offering ample tagging opportunities. She was pleased to see such a large crowd. • Brian also praised the new location, calling it a major success. A total of 205 monarchs were tagged during the event, with Brian and a friend tagging an additional 117 the following day. He suggested improvements for next year, including better signage along the pathway, mapping the area for table placement etc. in advance, and renting only one port-a- potty. He also shared a website with Ken for purchasing 25 –30 nets ahead of the next tagging season. • Councillor Zwart was impressed by the event’s success and agreed that increasing the number of nets would enhance tagging efficiency. • Meg supported the idea of acquiring more nets for future events and appreciated the strong turnout from all age groups. • Tom felt the location worked well and saw the event as an excellent educational opportunity and a meaningful way for the committee to connect with the public. He collaborated with the Orono Times before and during the event, and an article is expected in t he upcoming edition. Tom also appreciated the extra tables provided by the Municipality and noted that the button-making station offered a valuable hands-on activity for participants waiting to tag. b. Canadian Wildlife Federation Right of Way Program – Brian Reid • Ken and Brian are scheduled to attend a meeting hosted by the Canadian Wildlife Federation’s Right of Way Program. The organization has expressed interest in learning more about SWNA’s recent greening efforts within the designated hydro corridor and possibly partnering with us in the future. Brian will provide an update in a future SWNA meeting. Q4 a. Photo Contest – Kayla Stephens • Kayla presented the rules and guidelines for the upcoming photography contest. The group discussed key aspects including submission deadlines, judging procedures, promotional strategies, and contest categories. The following details were confirmed: • Submission deadline: October 31 • Photo eligibility: All entries must be taken within the 2025 calendar year • Judging completion: Winners will be finalized by November 14 • Committee notification: Winning entries will be shared with the committee on November 18 • Ken will coordinate the lamination of printed posters for display on the SWNA event board. b. Fall Cleanup – Brian Reid • Brian will conduct a walk-through of the nature area and share an update on any potential cleanup needs at an upcoming meeting. c. Christmas Bird Count – Brian Reid • To be discussed at a later meeting. 8. External Projects a. Fencing to the east of Memorial Forest – Ken Mercer • Ken confirmed the fencing in the designated area has been removed. b. Communication – Instagram etc. Ken Mercer • In progress – no further updates at this time. c. Connection with Indigenous Groups – Ken Mercer • In progress – no further updates at this time. 9. Other Business a. Nature Education Program - Lou Itier • In progress – will provide update at the next meeting. 10. Roundtable – all • Meg shared that during her regular visits to the beach area, it appeared relatively clean with minimal garbage. She observed a high number of anglers and trail users, likely due to the salmon spawning season, and suggested inviting OFAH (Ben) to participate in a future event. • Brian reported that a waste receptacle is missing at the Toronto Street lookout. He also expressed enthusiasm about the progress made in monarch tagging so far. • Leah noted continued success with tagging efforts on the Cobbledick side of the nature area. • Rod highlighted the noticeable increase in trail users. • Carmen confirmed with the committee he will continue to tag monarchs over the coming weeks and shared his excitement about the salmon run currently underway. • Lou mentioned seeing signs that may indicate an unsheltered individual residing at the beach. • Ken confirmed that he contacted bylaw enforcement to assess the area. • Tom reported continued monarch activity and expressed enthusiasm about the recent salmon activity. He also noted the presence of toilet paper in the nature area, likely left by anglers due to the seasonal increase in visitors. • Jennifer extended her appreciation to the committee for their ongoing dedication to maintaining and enhancing the Nature Area. • Councillor Zwart inquired about the possibility of installing a permanent outhouse in the nature area. Ken clarified that such a structure would not comply with current bylaw regulations. • Rod reminded the committee about the upcoming Marigold Hospice Walk & Bike event scheduled for Sunday, September 21, and encouraged members to take part. It was also noted that Leo will be attending the event. 11. Date Of Next Meeting The next meeting of the Committee is scheduled to be held on October 21, 2025, commencing at 7:00 p.m. 12. Adjournment Moved by Meg Vandenbrink that the meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m. Carried