HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-09-08 Minutes
Draft minutes – Not yet approved by Committee
NOTES OF MEETING OF
SAMUEL WILMOT NATURE AREA
MANAGEMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
HELD TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 8, 2015
7:00 PM
Present: (Voting) Kate Potter Leo Blindenbach
James Hodge Suzanne Land
Melanie McArthur Brian Reid
Jim Cleland Dyan Amirault
Paul Davidson
Regrets: Taullie Thompson Councillor Corinna Traill
Absent: Patrick Bothwell
1. AGENDA
MOVEDSECONDED
: by Leo Blindenbach by Kate Potter
THAT
: the agenda for September 8, 2015 be accepted
CARRIED
2. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
Approval of Minutes
MOVED:SECONDED
by Suzanne Land by James Hodge
THAT:
the minutes of June 9, 2015 be approved.
CARRIED
SWNA September 2015 Minutes
2
3. ITEMS/UPDATES
Waterfront Trail Construction Project
A topographic survey and field visit have been done to begin the design for the new trail
route. The design is being done in-house and is behind schedule however it is expected that
the design will be completed and tendered this winter for spring construction. A plan
showing the proposed route will be brought to the committee for review at a future meeting.
Birds of Prey Event
On June 27 a demonstration of live raptors was held at the SWNA. The Ontario Falconry
Centre entertained approx. 100 people in the greenspace adjacent to Toronto Street with a
variety of native hawks, eagles and owls. Previous raptor presentations at the SWNA
included displaying native raptors with a focus on educating the public. This year’s event
focused more on interaction with the audience and included flying the birds which had not
been done before at the SWNA.
The Newcastle Lions generously provided $500 to allow the SWNA Committee to arrange
the event. A letter of thanks was mailed to the Lions in July.
Newcastle Fall Festival/Scavenger Hunt
October 3 at 11:30 AM
The 2015 Scavenger Hunt has been scheduled for in conjunction
with the Newcastle Fall Festival. The Scavenger Hunt will be held along the Lions Trail just
west of Mill Street. SWNA Committee will have a booth at the Newcastle Town Hall in the
morning to promote the event. Kate Potter will e-mail a Doddle schedule for committee
members to choose a time to man the booth if available. Display material for the booth will
include; a map of the SWNA, a hand-out explaining the SWNA, and a display of
photographs from the 2014 Photo contest. GRCA will also provide some display material
for the booth.
MNR Rangers
On July 22 the MNR Rangers student employment program worked at the SWNA in
conjunction with committee members to spread limestone screenings on the Waterfront Trail
and clean-up around the snake hibernaculum. The Rangers team was enthusiastic and very
productive. If they are available again in 2016 the committee would welcome them back.
Carbon Farmer tree planting
On June 24 the Carbon Farmer planted approx. 2000 reforestation sized native trees at the
SWNA at no cost to the municipality. The company plants trees on behalf of individuals and
corporations for carbon offsets. The trees will eventually create a woodland buffer between
the Wilmot Community and the Lake Meadow area of the SWNA. Cool and wet weather
immediately after the planting helped to establish the trees and a reasonable success rate is
expected. If approached again by the Carbon Farmer the committee will consider others sites
SWNA September 2015 Minutes
3
within the SWNA for future planting but only if it conforms to the SWNA management
plan.
Invasive Species site walk
On July 14 GRCA Biologist Ken Towle led committee members on a walk to discuss
invasive species at the SWNA. It was a very informative presentation that highlighted the
prevalence of invasive species such as Himalayan Balsam, Giant Hogweed, and Wild
Parsnip. Ken discussed the toxic effects of some of the invasive plants and how they are
spread inadvertently though mowing operations. Mowing equipment used on one site can
disperse seeds onto other sites if not cleaned properly.
The committee suggested holding a similar site walk for the public in 2016 which could be
promoted as an SWNA event.
SWNA Photo Contest
The deadline for submissions for this year’s Focus on the SWNA contest is September 21 at
4:00PM. A photo contest sub-committee consisting of James Hodge, Leo Blindenbach,
Dyan Amirault and Suzanne Land have tentatively scheduled September 22 to review the
submissions. The opening of the exhibition is scheduled for October 8 at the VAC.
To date only 4 photos have been submitted despite extensive exposure via the municipality’s
web site and social media.
Fall Clean-up
A fall clean-up is scheduled for Saturday October 24 at 8:30AM. Members who are
available can meet at the Toronto Street parking lot to help clean the site at end of the
fishing season. The anglers group who have participated in the past will be invited to attend
or organize their own clean-up.
Great Lakes Guardian Fund application
The Municipality in conjunction with the SWNA committee has applied previously to this
provincial grant program to convert the existing woodchip trail at the S/E corner of the
SWNA to limestone. The application deadline is October 23. Peter Windolf will prepare the
2015 application for the same project.
SWNA Video
Marilyn Marven, a frequent visitor to the SWNA, prepared an 8 minute video of the flora
and fauna at the SWNA. She delivered the video to the municipality on a USB. The
committee enjoyed the video and a letter of thanks will be sent to her.
4. OTHER BUSINESS
Brian Reid discussed the condition of the wood surfaces on the north viewing platform and
the pedestrian bridge. The wood has decayed to the point that there are cavities in the
SWNA September 2015 Minutes
4
surface. The committee recommended that some planks need to be replaced on both
structures but it was beyond the committee’s ability to fix. Operations will be advised of the
concerns.
Laminated posters advertising the Photo Contest and Scavenger Hunt were provided to
committee members to post wherever possible in the community.
The committee was also provided with identification lanyards for new members and
windshield notices to be placed on cars at the SWNA, respectfully asking visitors to place
trash in the receptacles.
5. MOTION TO ADJOURN
MOVED: SECONDED
by Leo Blindenbach by Melanie McArthur
THAT:
the meeting be adjourned.
CARRIED
Adjournment 8:30PM
Next Meeting: Tuesday October 13, 7:00PM in 1A
Notes prepared by: P.Windolf