The following article on the work day in June at Port Franks was submitted by Peter Banks but slightly revised by several people. Peter in his usual modest fashion, neglected to mention his own pivotal role, in additional to John Bellar's, in making the day a success. Where you see John Bellar read John Bellar and Peter Banks. Ed.

The big June 14 day at Port Franks came and went. Yes, it was successful for us. This was largely due to the efforts of John Bellar, his careful planning, his hard work before the day, and his monumental efforts and direction on site.

June 14 was originally touted as a Volunteer for Nature outing sponsored by the Federation of Ontario Naturalists (FON) and the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC), sponsored by the Trillium Foundation. LWI was indicated as a co-host. The original plan was to barricade some undesired ATV trails at the Van Valkenburg property near Ipperwash and install appropriate signage. Discussions and pre-meetings with NCC suggested the details of the barricades needed more development and so the focus of the activities moved to our other properties, the Karner Blue Sanctuary (KBS) and the Port Franks Forested Dunes Nature Reserve (PFFD). Members will recall that the Van Valkenburg property was purchased at the same time as the PFFD under the aegis of the Carolinian Canada program. LWI made a significant contribution to that purchase. The management of the property has lain fallow for many years and it is just in the last year or two that efforts by NCC and LWI have made some progress.

June 14 was also the date selected for the Port Franks, Trails, Community Clean Up Day. This function was spear headed by the Port Franks Trails Committee, chaired by Kelly Vader of ABCA. The group is composed of people representing the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA), LWI, Lambton County, Municipality of Lambton Shores, Port Franks Optimists Club, and Environmentally Concerned Citizens of Lambton Shores.

We are beholden to theVolunteer for Nature (VFN) group led by Graham Buck and Bronwen Smith, the ABCA group led by Kelly Vader and Patty Malone and the Port Franks Optimists led by Don Gillis and Barry Place. Volunteer for Nature provided 9 enthusiastic volunteers from across southern Ontario: Anne Godlewski, Jayne and Laura Wagner, Wilf and Mary Bradnock, Brian Contreras, Mary Langevin, Kevin Bottero and Klaus Keunecke. This group helped with hole and latrine fill in, trail brush clearing and trail rerouting.

Jobs done on our properties and supported by our own members are as follows: Joe Connop and Peter Banks spent their day on garbage. A large trash pile had been uncovered by the recent Prescribed Burn at the KBS. In the afternoon they were generously helped by Kelly Vader and Patty Malone of ABCA. This task was not completed and will require a future work party.

Carole Buck and Kevin Crowell assisted by Graham Buck of NCC remarked the KBS Trail with painted steel stakes. This arduous task was nearly one hundred per cent completed with the odd stake still needed here and there.

Floyd Elliott, Klaus Keunecke and Gord Catterson were in charge of hole and latrine fill-in, concrete block disposal and tree removal at the PFFD. This task was mostly predicated from the existence of old cottages that had been removed from the property. They later assisted John Bellar at the washout.

The washout at the PFFD trail was caused by the meandering of Mud Creek.

The trail was rerouted to go across the base of a dune. However, because of the difficulty of the passage it was decided to install a pipe and cable handrail. The trail also needed to be barricaded at the ends of the washout. This very major task was performed by John Bellar assisted by Joe Haselmayer and VFN volunteers. They were later joined by Gord Catterson, Floyd Elliott, Klaus Keuneeke, Kelly Vader and Patty Malone. A little painting on the barricades and some leveling of the trail over the dune still needs to be done.

FON/NCC volunteers assisted John and Dorothy Tiedje with the removal of a large amount of the very invasive Dog Strangling Vine (Cynanchum nigrum). Unfortunately, due to a communication break-down, too much of the native shrubs along the early part of the trail were cut back. It is hoped that nature can eventually correct this.

The bottom line: An exhausting but satisfying day in support of the enjoyment of nature.