Author Archives: FOMW

Minesing Reeds Fall 2014

Posted on by
Reply

The Friends of Minesing Wetlands have captured some of the work that has been done in the Minesing Wetlands during the summer and fall of  2014 in our latest edition of the Minesing Reeds.

Enjoy stories from the Minesing Wetlands including Mike Francis’ day searching for rare orchids in the Minesing fen complex.  Kristyn Ferguson reports on the land acquisition of a “piece of the Minesing” along the southern portion of the Mad River.

You will also read about how the Minesing Wetlands was “spruced up” as part of the TD Tree Days.

Please enjoy the Fall 2014 edition of the Minesing Reeds!

Minesing Reeds Fall 2014

FOMWs Bonspiel and AGM

Posted on by
Reply

Bonspiel flyer 2014

Do you love nature?   Enjoy Curling?

Join the Friends of Minesing Wetlands November 1 at the Stroud Curling Club for our annual “Funspeil” and AGM.  6:30 – 11:30pm

Get together a team of 4 ($100) or individual $25 and enjoy a fun night of curling, food and cash bar.  All proceeds going to help preserve the Minesing Wetlands through our not‐for‐profit group efforts.

We will enjoy a night of fun, yummy food, prizes, cash bar and learn about
this very important ecological area.

Register for this event by emailing nsaunders@nvca.on.ca

curlingfomw

 

 

Minesing Reeds – Summer 2014

Posted on by
Reply

The Friends of Minesing Wetlands have had a busy start to year and we have captured some of this work in the Summer 2014 Minesing Reeds newsletter.

Enjoy stories from the Minesing Wetlands including Dave Featherstone relaying results from the Marsh Monitoring Program and scouting the Mad River canoe route!

You will read about how the Friends of Minesing participated in several community events this year including the Water Walker Festival, MEC Paddlefest and the Celebration of Rural Living with Margaret Atwood.

We also show our support for the Nine Mile Portage trail and efforts to improve it’s accessibility.  The Nine Mile Portage is an historic route used by First Nations and early Canadians that connects Lake Simcoe to the Minesing Wetlands.

Please enjoy the Summer 2014 edition of the Minesing Reeds!

Minesing Reeds – Summer 2014

Ontario Trumpeter Swan Restoration

Posted on by

The Friends of Minesing Wetlands support the efforts of the Ontario Trumpeter Swan Restoration program and their efforts to improve the population of Trumpeter Swans to Ontario.  The Minesing Wetlands is a part of this species migrating and breeding range.  If you are interested in more information about this program please see the brochure below with information about reporting sightings of the Trumpeter Swan in the Minesing Wetlands.

The brochure also has tips for protecting and aiding in the recovery of Trumpeter Swans in Ontario.

Currently the Trumpeter Swan population in Ontario is estimated at 800-1000 individuals and growing, which is good news for the restoration of this species to its former migration and breeding range.

To report sightings please visit their facebook page: Ontario Trumpeter Swans

To view their brochure in PDF form click: OTSR Brochure

Empowering Citizen Scientists

Posted on by
Reply

Bird Studies Canada has invited interested members of the Friends of Minesing Wetlands to partake in a day learning what the Great Lakes Marsh Monitoring Program is and how you can be a part of it. See below for details. To register click here: Empowering Citizen Scientists

Event Details

Bird Studies Canada, through support from Government of Canada’s Lake Simcoe/South-eastern Georgian Bay Clean Up Fund and in partnership with Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority is hosting an orientation workshop and social for the volunteer-based Great Lakes Marsh Monitoring Program (GLMMP) .

 

Spend the afternoon with us at the Tiffin Centre Picnic Pavilion to:

  • Refresh your knowledge or be introduced to the techniques used in the nationally-recognized GLMMP with the folks who coordinate it.
  • Help advance the study and protection of marshes in YOUR watersheds.
  • Contribute to knowledge and understanding of coastal and interior marshes including gathering information on birds, frogs and habitat characteristics.
  • Classroom portion runs 2:00 – 5:00
 
Join us for a social evening outdoors sharing knowledge.
 
Picnic with us:
  • Bring your own supper and enjoy a picnic at the pavilion before we go into the  field. 
  • We will be picnicking from 5:30 -7:00 before traveling to Minesing Wetlands
 
Come birding and frogging at the Minesing Wetlands viewing station: 
  • At 7:30 pm we will reconnect at the viewing station parking lot.
  • For a map visit http://goo.gl/maps/OZGVM  
  • Then spend an evening of birding and frogging with Bird Studies Canada’s Doug Tozer and Kathy Jones.
  • Share your wetland id knowledge or learn from others.
  • Experience the GLMMP techniques in a natural setting.


All are welcome!

  • New naturalists can come and learn about the program and decide if it is right for them.
  • Registered  participants can update their knowledge and enjoy the evening.
  • You can choose to attend the classroom activity, the evening event or both. Just pick the tickets that suit your schedule best and all attendees are welcome at the picnic.
 

This is a free event but donations for access to the NVCA are always welcome.

Minesing Wetlands Dragonfly Count

Posted on by
Reply
The Nature Conservancy of Canada is seeking volunteers who are keen to support the conservation of Canada’s natural places.  On July 1, 2014 the NCC will lead participants into the Minesing Wetlands for a Dragonfly Count.
Instruction on species identification, conservation and biology will provided by an expert NCC staff member.  Notable dragonfly species in the Minesing Wetlands includes the Endangered Hine’s Emerald Dragonfly.
“A flash of colour catches your eye, a thrum of wing beats whooshes past. Is it a bird? Is it a helicopter? It’s a dragonfly! Get to know these stunning insects while you help NCC monitor the dragonfly diversity of the Minesing Wetlands during the 2014 Dragonfly Count.”
Any questions contact Laura at ontario@conservationvolunteers.ca

To register follow this link: Minesing Wetlands Dragonfly Count and fill out the R.S.V.P. form.

 

Nine Mile Portage Committee Invitation

Posted on by
Reply

A committee is being established to promote the historic and recreational values of the Mine Mile Portage.  The Friends of Minesing Wetlands recognizes the connections between the Nine Mile Portage and the Minesing Wetlands and supports endeavors that would promote this part of Canada’s history and culture.

If you are interested in being part of a this committee please contact us (FOMW) or visit www.FortWillow.com and use the Contact Us page.

For more information on the Nine Mile Portage see barrie.ca

From The City of Barrie:

“This recreation trail is based on an ancient overland route created by the early aboriginal people of our area.  One of the oldest known European records of the route appears on a 1688 map by Italian Vincenzo Coronelli labelled as ‘Portage de dix Lieuel’.  This portage came to be known as the ‘Nine Mile Portage’ by the British Military, which employed it strategically during the War of 1812.  After the war, use continued until the first roads and the railway were established.  The old portage then fell into disuse and eventually the land was sold to settlers as the concessions were developed.  But it was never completely forgotten.”

Water Walker Festival

Posted on by
Reply

Saturday March -22nd

Water Walker Festival

– presented by the Barrie Canoe and Kayak Club

The Uptown Theatre-55 Dunlop St. Barrie

Tickets as follows:

In advance $12.00/person-(Children 10 and under Free)

Available at: Canoe North, Sojourn, MEC, Paddleshack, Tropical North

Also on the internet at : bckc.ca

At the Box office: $15.00/person-(Children10 and under free)

About the Waterwalker (from Paddle Canada)

Paddle Canada’s Waterwalker Film Festival is a tribute to the late Bill Mason, the great conservationist, canoeist and filmmaker. Mason once stated, “The medium of film is for me a means of expressing my love and enjoyment of the natural world, and of sharing my concern for what’s happening to it with anybody who looks and listens.”

Passionate in his beliefs, always speaking from the heart, his films inspired many people to dedicate themselves to the enjoyment and conservation of Canada’s wilderness and waterways.

By taking part in the festival, it is our hope that you will be encouraged to become more involved with the protection and conservation of our unique Canadian wilderness and waterways.