Archive for August, 2007
Enniskillen
August 30, 2007
Wilmot
August 28, 2007Samuel Wilmot Nature Area
I love this place. As an ornithologist and botanist, I find its appeal irresitible.
“This 2.1 km trail lies within 77 hectares of stream valley lands and wetlands on the shore of Lake Ontario. The Waterfront Trail traverses the property and walking/hiking trails provide access to shoreline, Newcastle Marsh and Wilmot Creek.” – realontario.ca
Municipality of Clarington Profiles WCNA
Up close and personal with bugs, butterflies and birds
“NEWCASTLE — Recently a group of bug enthusiasts joined naturalist James Kamstra on a walk through the Samuel Wilmot Nature Area to take a closer look at the many insects and wildlife which inhabit the area.
The main focus of the guided tour was to learn about the Monarch butterfly as it prepares to head south for the winter. Monarch butterflies are well-known for their lengthy annual migrations each fall from Canada to Mexico (and vice-versa in the spring) without losing their way for about 5,000 kilometres. As the length of these trips exceeds by far the lifetime of any given butterfly, it is strictly a one-way trip for each butterfly…
John Stoner, chairman of the Samuel Wilmot Creek Advisory Committee, would like this to be a yearly event.
“We are trying to build up interest in the area. There are walking paths. We are fundraising for a bike path. The committee is putting together a PowerPoint presentation for local schools to encourage donating volunteer hours.”
The area is home to many migrating birds; loons, geese, purple martins and even a pair of mute swans with their young at the mouth of Wilmot Creek.”
Other Blogs on Samuel Wilmot Nature Area:
We were one with nature, with yelling.
Wilmot Creek, by Amy, February, 2007.
Nature Trails and Picturesque Scenes
Waterkeeper News:
Waterfront to get a facelift (2003)
A partnership between the Municipality of Clarington and the federal and provincial governments means a facelift for part of Bowmanville’s waterfront, as well as improvements to the Samuel Wilmot Nature Area.
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SAMUEL WILMOT NATURE AREA
Municipality of Clarington
Phone: 905-623-3379
Directions: West Parking Lot: Take Hwy 401, exit Hwy 35/115, Hwy 2 east to Cobbledick Road and continue to the end of the road. East Parking Lot: Take Hwy 401, exit at Mill Street, go west on 18 Toronto Street (directly opposite east bound 401 ramp), continue to parking lot at end of road.
The Samuel Wilmot Nature Area is located south west of Newcastle Village on the shores of Lake Ontario. It is comprised of approximately 190 acres of land containing a variety of landscape types including mature forests and meadows, a remnant orchard and hedgerows, the Wilmot Creek and associated valleylands, a shoreline, wetland and a cobble barrier beach.
The Newcastle Marsh, a Provincially Significant Wetland and Regionally Significant Life Science Area of Natural and Scientific Interest is valued as a coastal wetland, providing a breeding and nesting area for waterfowl, and a staging area for migratory birds. The area provides excellent recreational opportunities for fishing, bird watching, walking and nature enjoyment and offers a wonderful potential for educational experiences. A portion of the Lake Ontario Waterfront Trail, 2.1 km in length, traverses the property from east to west.
The majority of the lands are owned by the Municipality of Clarington, Ministry of Natural Resources and Ontario Power Generation. An Environmental Management Plan has been prepared to ensure its natural resources are protected and enhanced, while providing for nature-oriented recreational uses. Trails leading from both the east and west parking lots have been constructed as well as viewing platforms at the north and south ends of the marsh.
The successful realization of the Nature Area will take time and resources. A Management Advisory Committee comprised of local citizens has been formed to assist the Municipality and the Ministry of Natural Resources in managing the site. The Committee looks towards the community for support and involvement. If you would like to volunteer your time to plant trees, build a trail or you or your group would like to fund a project, we would like to hear from you.
The Butterfly Tree
August 28, 2007Everything Cedar
August 28, 2007I live in Southern Ontario in an area where cedar trees are prevalent. One day, while out walking, I met a friend collecting cedar branches. “Its a tonic,” he explained. Since then, my interests in cedar trees developed considerably. Here is a summary of what I have learned:
Many Native American tribes consider cedar to be a sacred plant.
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Cedar quotes
St. Paul’s, The University of WaterlooTHE FOUR SACRED MEDICINES
CEDAR
Like sage and sweetgrass, cedar is used to purify the home. It also has many restorative medicinal uses. Cedar baths are healing. When cedar is put in the fire with tobacco, it crackles. When it does this, it is calling the attention of the spirits to the offering that is being made. Cedar is used in fasting and sweat lodge ceremonies as a form of protection: cedar branches cover the floor of the sweat lodge and a circle of cedar surrounds the faster’s lodge.
Lake Ontario Near Durham-Northumberland County Line
August 26, 2007Durham County
August 26, 2007Port Grandy
August 26, 2007Malcolm Lake
August 26, 2007
State of the Lake Environment Report (Nine Pages)
December 2004
Malcolm Lake
http://www.mvc.on.ca/text/Malcolm%20Report%202004.pdf
Summary:
“Malcolm Lake is a relatively small and shallow lake located in the Township of North
Frontenac. Malcolm Lake is at an elevation of 253 metres above sea level. The lake
perimeter is 2.7 kilometres and the deepest point is only 4.6 metres. Malcolm Lake
supports a warm water fishery, in particular smallmouth bass. At last count in the late
1970’s, there were approximately 33 cottages on the lake.”
“In general, the water quality in Malcolm Lake remains good. There is one sampling station on the
lake at the deepest point as indicated on the bathymetric map included in this report. You will find
graphs which follow, that water clarity, as measured by Secchi Disk readings, were observed as
good. The average for 2004 is 4.9 metres, thus indicating that Malcolm Lake is a moderately
enriched (some nutrients) or mesotrophic lake, compared to 5 years ago, when the average was 4.3
metres.”
Programs:
Ministry of the Environment Self Help Program
Lake Partner Program
Mississippi Valley Conservation
Watershed Watch Program
Ministry of the Environment Recreational Lakes Program
My Natural World
August 8, 2007The Geography
McLaughlin Bay Wildlife Reserve
The Second Marsh
Farewell Creek
Harmony Creek
Lynde Shores and Cranberry Marsh
Walking Distance
