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Bickford Oak Woods On June 25 the Nature Conservancy held a press conference for invited guests to announce the purchase of Bickford Oak Woods. As LWI members will recall we have discussed this important woodlot in previous editions of Earthways, and to hear that the deal has been completed is good news. Many LWI members played a role in the successful completion of its purchase, both by assisting in the campaign with volunteer hours and by donations in cash. The event started with Major Gift Officer, Cindy Klemchuk, welcoming the audience. In attendance were a number of local dignitaries, media representatives and several people who had worked on the campaign including several LWI members. This was followed by a short slide presentation on Bickford Oak Woods by Larry Cornelis who described the forest and the flora and fauna to be found there. Next the Ontario Director for The Nature Conservancy, John Grant, spoke on the importance of this woodlot and the work of the conservancy across Canada. He said that they were this day announcing a 'Gift to Canada' of ten properties, one in each province, that they had purchased for the people of Canada and that Bickford is the Ontario gift. Next representatives from the five lead donor groups were introduced, thanked and given a small gift recognizing the importance of their gifts. The groups included the Ministry of Environment & Energy, Ministry of Natural Resources, Township of St. Clair, Suncor Energy Foundation, and Ducks Unlimited. The group then cut a 'Canada Birthday Cake' in honour of the occasion. Gord Catterson |
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Male Fern - Lady Fern Some thought that Male Fern, Filix mas, and Lady Fern, Filix femina (the Latin names are straight translations, filix for fern, mas for male, and femina for lady) were male and female forms of the same species. They are two different species. Ferns and their Allies (Horsetails and Club Mosses) as we see them, are not male or female. They have a life cycle that includes an "alternation of generations". What happens is that the fern produces spores, sometimes in the spots or "sori" on the underside of the frond (sometimes in a separate part of the frond or even a separate frond). The spores fall to the ground and grow into tiny (3 mm ?) leaf-like green plants, or prothalli, in which, usually, both sperm-producing structures and egg-producing structures are formed. When this little plant is wet the sperm swim to the eggs and the fertilized eggs grow into the familiar fronds. Lady Fern is the commom fern in the Port Franks Forested Dunes. Male Fern, which is found in the Bruce, is rare in Ontario and has not been reported for Lambton. Dorothy Tiedje |
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Land Acquisition - Bad Day at Blackrock It's been a year of roller coaster expectations for our Land Acquisition Project. At one point it seemed as if the owner of the properties surrounding the Karner Blue Sanctuary was interested in making a major donation to us, in exchange for a charitable receipt and EcoGift certification. That fell through and now we feel obliged to put an indefinite hold on the project at this time. There are two major reasons. First, the owner has indicated that he will approach the Planning Board to try and create some building lots on one of the perimeters, Whatman Street. He had earlier indicated that he was going to get his own appraisal on the property, but no longer has that intention. Second, we did get a new appraisal ourselves and it falls short of what the owner thinks the land is worth. In all fairness to our donors we cannot deviate far from what is considered, at least by us, a fair unbiased evaluation in today's circumstances. We propose to make the Land Acquisition Fund a standing fund as the situation may change at any time. Even if there were to be some building lots severed from the property we would still be interested in acquiring what is left. Thus, we will continue to accept donations for as yet an indeterminate land acquisition project. ANY MEMBERS WISHING TO HAVE THEIR DONATION RETURNED MAY DO SO IN EXCHANGE FOR OUR CHARITABLE RECEIPT THAT WAS ISSUED TO THEM. I want to thank all of the donors to this project. You gave us the encouragement for success. We gave it our best shot. Regretably it is not happening in the short term. I also want to thank the members of the Subcommittee, particularly Janet Bremner, Joe Connop and Nikki May. Perhaps we can regroup in the near future and soon work together another time on land acquisition. P. Banks |
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On-line Environmental Information System The Sarnia-Lambton Environmental Association, City of Sarnia Environment Committee, the Canadian Centre for Pollution Prevention and Pollution Probe are working together to create an on-line environmental information system which will present accurate community level data on a variety of environmental issues of concern such as water and air quality, industrial pollution and health matters. Brenda Lorenz, Chair of the City of Sarnia's Environment Committee is acting as the local coordinator.. |
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Work Party On Tuesday, July 23 a small party of LWI volunteers completed some work at the Port Franks Forested Dunes bridge over Mud Creek. In attendance were Port Franks Properties Chair Peter Banks, Peter Hill, Joe Connop, Joe Haselmayer, Nikki May, George Krause, Kevin Crowell and yours truly. Those who have crossed the Mud Creek Bridge are aware that it was a somewhat shaky structure due to it not being properly supported on one side. Chief Engineer Peter Hill was in charge of inserting some 2x4's and wooden wedges to provide a more firm support which was done by using a boat and working from beneath the bridge. I, Chief "Hold the Boat in Place", assisted. When the work was completed the bridge was once again on a sound footing. Other work completed included dumping some rubble on the north side of the bridge where there was a tripping hazard, and covering it with concrete to provide a nicely sloping ramp up to the bridge. In addition the pathway into the area was cleared of some brush that was threatening to overgrow the entrance. With apologies to Bob the Builder, Gord Catterson |
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Subject: FW: Mellon Press Release In a very disappointing move, the Ontario government has decided to issue a permit to allow mining at the Mellon Lake Conservation Reserve near Kingston. The provincial government has ignored widespread public opposition to the idea of blasting Mellon Lake's rock ridges to produce kitchen countertops and construction gravel and has sent a letter to Palu-Corbelli Ltd. outlining the last steps the company will need to take to begin operations in the new reserve. This decision flies in the face of ecological protection and smart planning: The government tried to quietly slip this announcement out on the Friday before the long Canada Day weekend. Please take five minutes right now and do the following: 1. Send a message to Premier Ernie Eves expressing that the permit be denied. You might want to ask the Premier what has become of his commitment to "doing things differently." You can email the Premier at webprem@gov.on.ca 2. Send a copy of your message to your MPP. You can find names and addresses on the Ontario Legislature website at www.ontla.on.ca To find out more about what's at stake at Mellon Lake, please contact Jennifer Baker |