Members Notice Board

Enjoy an illustrated talk by University of Windsor Ornithologist Dan Mennill on the topic of the voices of tropical birds. The event will take place in the Essex Civic Centre at 7:30 p.m. in Room C. Refreshments will be served. A charitable income tax receipt will be issued for the $20.00 donation suggested for this event. Call Betty at 519-944-0825 to register.

The Hon. George Smitherman, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure will be our guest speaker over lunch, and Peter Love, Ontario’s Chief Energy Conservation Officer will lead off the day with a welcome address. Minister Smitherman has recently toured Europe to learn about their approaches to conservation and renewable energy and, as the minister for both infrastructure and energy, he has a keen understanding of the interconnection between urban design and energy consumption.

Peter Love’s 2008 progress report contains several recommendations that have a strong bearing on our work. First, he has adopted the “distributed leadership” model and has called on all major businesses and institutions to identify an energy conservation officer (similar to last year’s recommendation for municipalities to identify “municipal energy conservation officers”). He has also recognized the important role that community groups play in engaging the public in conservation, and has called for increased funding for community-based conservation.

This is a great opportunity for us all to reinforce the call for stronger conservation policies and programs in Ontario !

The Conservation Summit is designed to promote your contribution to a green economy and a conserver society.

Full fees for the summit are $150, a subsidized rate of $50 is available to all, and a number of complimentary tickets are available to those on a low budget. Register today. Come and show your support for a strong and united conservation movement across Ontario .

Who: Essex Region Conservation Authority, Friends of Mill & Wigle Creeks Meeting and Friends of Cedar Creek Meeting

Friends of Mill & Wigle Creeks Meeting
Lakeside Park Pavilion, Kingsville
Thursday, December 4, 2008, 7:00 pm

Come out for an informative presentation from Kevin Money, Director of Conservation Areas of the Essex Region Conservation Authority. Kevin will be speaking on various improvements that have taken place at ERCA’s Conservation Areas over the past year, including the Kingsville Train Station, Chrysler Greenway, Hillman Marsh, and Holiday Beach. For more information, call Caroline at 519-776-5209, ext. 245

Friends of Cedar Creek Meeting
Camp Cedarwin Scout Camp, Essex
Tuesday, December 9, 2008, 7:00 pm

Help organize an owl prowl and spring tree plantings! Call Caroline for more information at 519-776-5209, ext. 245.

For more information or to add an item to a meeting agenda, please contact Caroline, Friends of Watersheds Organizer, at 519-776-5209, ext. 245, or cbiribauer@erca.org.

Saturday, December 6, 2008
EARLY WINTER HAMILTON BIRDING
Start your “winter listing” with Sheldon McGregor, visiting several birding hotspots in the local area. This outing will probably go until early afternoon, depending on the crowd, weather and how things are going. Please bring warm clothes and a lunch. Meet at 8.a.m. at the Aldershot GO transit station in the north east corner of the parking lot for carpooling. (This is off Waterdown Rd. just south of Hwy 403). Contact Sheldon at 905-304-8282

Thursday, December 11, 2008
EVENING OUTING TO MCMASTER PLANETARIUM WITH ROB COCKCROFT
7:00 p.m. At McMaster's W.J. McCallion Planetarium, Burke Science Building Room B149
McMaster University Hamilton Campus
Many may not realize that McMaster University is home to a planetarium facility! In fact it is the first planetarium in Ontario to offer public shows and dates back to 1949. Recent renovations to the planetarium include the installation of a new digital projector, new software called Stellarium, and bigger, better seating. The planetarium is now wheelchair accessible. Our program for the evening will be in two parts. First we will cover an overview of constellations and items of interest in the night sky. Then an extrasolar show addressing the interesting question - does life exist on other planets? Perhaps before trying to answer that question we need to ask several more: what kind of planets exist outside of our Solar System, how do planets form, where are planets most likely to be found, what are the methods that we can use to detect them? In this presentation, some of the answers to these questions will be covered as well as a broad overview of the current knowledge concerning extrasolar planets. Our host will be Rob Cockcroft who is completing his second astronomy masters, his most recent one focusing on globular clusters, and will be beginning his PhD in September 2008.

This private showing has been organized as a joint outing with the Hamilton Naturalists' Club and the South Peel Naturalists' Club. Pre-registration is required as seating is limited. Please sign-up at the October or November meetings or email Sheldon McGregor at smcgrego@scj.com or phone at 905 304-8282. Directions on how to get to McMaster are found at www.physics.mcmaster.ca/planetarium/
Admission fee: $5 for adults, $2 for children 12 and under, payable upon pre-registration at the meetings or by contacting Sheldon.

Friday, December 26, 2008
CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT
This annual tradition has always occurred on Boxing Day in the Hamilton area. it is part of a continent wide programme to monitor bird populations. Contact Tom Thomas at 905 689 5920 to confirm your area or join in the fun.

The Mid-Peninsula Corridor: What are the Alternatives? – Stevensville, ON
What is the Niagara to GTA Corridor (a.k.a. Mid-Pen Corridor)? Learn about its purpose, benefits, problems, status and transportation alternatives from project team members. For more information, call Adrian Peters (905) 957-3801.

Members: $5; Non-members: $10. Our guest speaker is Martin Galloway. This talk illustrates what goes on in gardens beyond the naked eye. Martin has a BSc., M.Sc. and B.Ed. He teaches Pathophysiology at Seneca College and teaches Natural Science part-time at York University. He owns Chalk Lake Greenhouses (for 35 years +) specializing in perennials and native plants. Martin was a segment presenter/writer on the Canadian TV series Harrowsmith Country Life and also hosted The Secret World of Gardens.

Lambton Wildlife Christmas Bird Count

Who: Lambton Wildlife

When: December 13th

Where: Pinery Provincial Park

Link: www.lambtonwlidlife.com

Register with Alf well ahead if you want to participate so he can arrange coverage for the territories. Participants will meet in the Pinery afterwards for result tallies and refreshments. Coordinator: Alf Rider 519-786-4213

High Park Winter Walking Tours

Who: High Park Nature Centre, the High Park Community Advisory Council, High Park Initiatives and Colborne Lodge

These moderately paced, naturalist led walking tours are held on every second and fourth Sunday morning throughout the year (unless otherwise noted). Each tour lasts 1.5 hours and may go on wooded trails, so please remember to wear appropriate clothing and footwear. Meet at 10:30am (unless otherwise noted) at the benches across the road from the south side of the Grenadier Café and Teahouse in High Park. For more information, call 416-392-1748 ext. 5 or email: walkingtours@highpark.org

Do you know someone who has contributed to environmental improvements in Essex in the past year? If so, we want to hear about them! The Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA) is calling for nominations for its 2008 Conservation Awards. These awards honour and recognize those in the community who have made outstanding contributions towards improving our natural environment, and ultimately the health and quality of life in the Essex Region.

The Annual Awards will be presented to individuals and organizations in three categories:

To submit a nomination, simply write a one page summary of the individual or organizational accomplishments that merit the receipt of the award, or contact ERCA to receive a nomination form. Please be sure to include the category, name, address and phone number of the nominee, in addition to your own name, address and telephone number. Nominations close on Friday, December 19, 2008. The awards, distributed since 1992, will be presented at ERCA’s Annual Meeting on January 15, 2009. For more information on any of these awards, please contact Vivian Kennedy at 519 776 5209 ext. 345. Nominations can be faxed to 519-776-8688 or e-mailed to vkennedy@erca.org. A nomination form can also be downloaded, or submissions can be made online, at www.erca.org.

The next NRC board meeting will be held at the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority office in Welland, at 6:30 pm on January 13th. Visitors are welcome, so feel free to attend, learn more about the NRC and get involved. For more information, visit the weblink above or contact NRC via phone: 905-788-0248 or e-mail: niagararestoration@becon.org.

Weather or Not, January 20th
Gentle or ferocious, whether we like it or not, London’s weather shapes our landscape and affects the lives of all local creatures, humans included. A Channel’s meteorologist, Jay Campbell, explains why and how we get the weather we do, gives us a look at past major weather events and what we can expect in the future.

The Secret Lives of Mushrooms, Janary 27th
Mushrooms lead largely invisible lives. Then, when conditions are just right, they pop up in a brief splash of colour. Greg Thorn of the University of Western Ontario Biology Department highlights a selection of area species and tells how they make a living.

For more information, contact Pat Tripp at 519-432-7497, or e-mail pattripp@execulink.com

The Long Point Basin Land Trust has a unique opportunity to protect a critically-important ecological treasure in western Norfolk County. This 180-acre property contains rare wetland habitats, extensive woodlands, and habitat for unique Carolinian flora and fauna. The property also preserves the globally rare Buttonbush Thicket Swamp and provides refuge for several species at risk including American Chestnut, Butternut, Black Gum, Jefferson Salamander, and Eastern Fox Snake.

The forests and wetlands are an essential part of the headwaters of both South Otter Creek and Venison Creek. By protecting this property, the Long Point Basin Land Trust will also help to protect the local water supply. This important greenspace will help ensure good water supply for local streams and underground aquifers.

The property will be named in honour of the late Dr. Arthur Langford. Arthur was passionate and dedicated to conservation in the Carolinian Region and supportive of efforts to protect this property. Naming this property in his honour will be a lasting and meaningful legacy. Visit the weblink above to make a donation.

Who: Government of Ontario, Nature Conservancy of Canada and various local partners

A new provincial park and two new conservation reserves that harbour rare habitat and species at risk have been added to Ontario's system of parks and protected areas.

The St. Williams land was formerly part of a provincial tree nursery known as the St. Williams Forest Station, now owned by ForestCare Corp, which is co-hosting celebrations today to mark the 100th anniversary of the forest station with the Port Rowan/South Walsingham Heritage Association and the St. Williams Interpretive Centre.

On June 18th, 2008, the Thames Talbot Land Trust celebrated the creation of its newest nature reserve. The 46 acre McTavish Tract, near Shakespeare, was donated to the Trust by seven members of the McTavish family of Perth County so that it might be conserved in perpetuity. The springs that rise in these mature woodlands form part of the headwaters of the Avon River and constitute an important ecological feature. The property has been certified as ecologically sensitive by the Canadian Wildlife Service. (Read the full story here)

Conservation Ontario is pleased to announce the release of Your Guide to Conservation Areas in Ontario which highlights 261 of Ontario’s Conservation Areas – natural areas that feature a variety of all-season outdoor activities. This easy-to-read, 64-page, full-colour guidebook includes maps to help people locate Conservation Areas, charts that list activities available, unique features, contact information and, in addition, highlights some unique aspects of Ontario’s Conservation Areas and the important work of the Conservation Authorities who own and operate them. The guide is available for download (or to order) here. The information is also available online at www.ontarioconservationareas.ca.

On April 15th, 2008, the Forest City got a little greener with a bequest from the estate of Beryl Ivey to ReForest London. The environmental organization received $250,000 to establish an endowment and continue its tree-planting programs in London. The majority of this gift will be used to establish the Beryl Ivey Community and Corporate Stewardship Endowment. ReForest London will build this fund, to be held at London Community Foundation, with contributions from London’s corporate and community citizens. Through the endowment, ReForest London will continue to empower community groups along with the corporate sector to improve their community and environment through volunteering, planting trees, caring for trees, and funding a healthy urban forest for generations to come.

Part of the gift will support ReForest London’s Greening the Core project, a multi-year project to plant trees downtown. The project was initiated late last year with a $50,000 gift from the Richard and Beryl Ivey Fund, a fund within London Community Foundation. Using an additional $50,000 donation of the bequest from Mrs. Ivey’s estate will allow ReForest London to expand the project and plant more trees downtown. As with other donations, ReForest London will leverage these funds with additional support from partners. (Read the full media release here)

Rare Plants of the Endangered High Park Black Oak Savannah: A Volunteer Stewardship Program Guidebook

Who: the High Park Community Advisory Council (HPCAC) and the Volunteer Stewardship Program

The High Park Community Advisory Council and the Volunteer Stewardship Program have published a gorgeous, informative and unique guide to the endangered Black Oak Savannah ecosystem of High Park. This 64 page, full-colour guide includes a wonderfully thorough cultural and ecological history of High Park, an overview of the Volunteer Stewardship Program, and a thoughtful examination of a multitude of challenges and opportunities encountered during the restoration of this rare habitat. The highlight of the publication however, are the detailed profiles of 26 rare savannah plants by Jane Schmidt. The unique presentation of these plants includes a 'personality profile' for each, their medicinal uses, community relationships and identifying characteristics. All laid out with beautiful photographs, the plants are organized by type (shrubs, trees, grasses & sedges and wildflowers) while still emphasizing their context within a plant community. This guidebook is truly a gem - with an elegant presentation and seamless integration of information, it is highly recommended for ocal and non-local native plant lovers, stewards, and even people looking to create their own environmental stewardship and natural area education guides.

Distribution details are still being worked out, and the guidebook is currently only available to order by e-mail, and payment by cheque only. Guidebooks can also be purchased at various local events, but it is our hope that it will soon be available online. The guidebook can be ordered from the Volunteer Stewardship Program via e-mail: vsp@highpark.org. The cost is $15 plus $3 for shipping. Cheques can be made payable to High Park Initiatives and mailed to:

The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Evergreen have launched a grant program designed to support the planting of 100,000 native trees on publicly accessible lands in cities and towns across the province. The core values of this program are community engagement and ongoing stewardship: all projects must be open to members of the public and be situated on publicly accessible lands. Applications for projects which engage diverse organizations and individuals in the community in creative partnerships are especially encouraged. This program will provide funds to public agencies, institutional landowners and community organizations undertaking volunteer-driven tree planting projects in 2008 and 2009. Grants awarded will range from $5,000 to $15,000. There is no deadline to apply. Applications will be accepted and processed on an ongoing basis.

Who: Ontario Nature, Bird Studies Canada, Ontario Federation of Ornithologists, Environment Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources

It is complete: The Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Ontario, 2001-2005. Through the contribution of over 150,000 hours of field work and records by many birders across Ontario, the Atlas is ready. Over 3,400 volunteers, many members of the Nature Network, collected 1.2 million individual bird records, in a systematic grid stretching from the islands of Lake Erie to the shores of Hudson Bay.

The Atlas is a valuable educational tool, highlighting the importance of citizen science identifying:

More information about the Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Ontario is available at www.birdsontario.org. Copies of the book can be purchased by calling 416-444-8419 or 1-800-440-2366 ($92.50 plus GST; price includes shipping); for online sales follow the links from https://id408.van.ca.siteprotect.com/ontarionature/shop/BBA_order_form.html.

Neptis Foundation Releases New Report on Urban Growth and its Impacts in Southwestern Ontario

Neptis is pleased to announce the publication of the latest report in a series of Neptis studies on the Toronto metropolitan region and the Province of Ontario's new regional Growth Plan. The report, entitled "The Urban Growth Centres Strategy in the Greater Golden Horseshoe: Lessons from Downtowns, Nodes and Corridors" was written by Pierre Filion, professor at the University of Waterloo's School of Planning. His research focuses on metropolitan-scale planning, smart growth policies, the development of downtown areas, the relationship between land use and transportation, and the evolution of the urban structures of North American regions.

The report is available in electronic format and may be downloaded from the Neptis website. The full report is 26.5 MB; the Summary and Table of Contents together are 1.5 MB.

Scientists with The Canadian Forest Service have started a trial campaign against the Emerald Ash Borer in London, Ontario using a new organic pesticide. The chemical, which has yielded positive results in applications in the United States and Southwestern Ontario, is derived from the Neem tree. It has no known negative effects on other animals or plants. The discovery of several afflicted trees in London last fall has been a blow to the ongoing struggle to prevent the further spread of this troublesome pest. The approach that is being recommended by the Canadian Forest Service in dealing with the news of the Ash Borer's arrival in London, is to treat as many of the city's 'high value' trees as possible. It is not yet known what the cost of widespread application of the pesticide is.

Conservation Ontario Releases 2006 Annual Report: Leading the Way to Healthy Watersheds

Conservation Ontario is pleased to release the 2006 Annual Report – Leading the Way to Healthy Watersheds. Conservation Ontario’s role with Ontario’s 36 Conservation Authorities is to promote and continually strengthen a watershed-based conservation coalition in Ontario. This report provides information on key initiatives and issues that Conservation Ontario pursued in conjunction with the Conservation Authorities.

Conservation Ontario looks forward to meeting the challenges and opportunities within the environmental field – with our many partners – in order to ensure that we maintain a workable balance between the environment, society and the economy. Visit their website for more information about the document.

Ontario recently passed what the province's leading environmental organizations are calling the best Endangered Species Act in Canada. The new law balances a strong, science-based approach to protecting endangered plants and animals with the flexibility needed to address socio-economic concerns. The Act replaces outdated and ineffective legislation dating from 1971 and offers new hope for over 200 endangered plants and animals found in Ontario. The new legislation is the first in Canada to combine mandatory habitat protection with a science-based approach to listing species for protection. It also requires the development of strategies to help species recover to healthy population levels.

Help plant a tree for free with Land Care Niagara. All it takes is a simple click of your mouse! Just visit: www.landcareniagara.com