We had 35 dedicated volunteers who helped us collect 445 species observations in 6 different hike locations. Stay tuned for our report coming out soon!
Species ID from the pictures above:
Top Right: Delta-spotted Spiketail
Top Left: Group looking at Swamp Darner
Middle 1: Leopard Frog
Middle 2: Juvenal’s Duskywing
Middle 3: Crayfish
Bottom Left: Blacknose Dace
Bottom Right: Me holding a Common Green Darner
A special thanks to our photographers who got some AMAZING shots of the day.
Another year of outreach and education from the Friends of Minesing Wetlands. As usual we were very busy.
This collage of pictures shows:
Thanks to all our members and partners for another successful year!
The Friends of Minesing Wetlands are excited to announce the first Bioblitz of the Minesing Wetlands on June 3, 2017.
What is a bioblitz?
A Bioblitz is a volunteer-based biological inventory of a specific area. Participants include local scientists, professional naturalists, amateur enthusiasts and members of the general public. The goal of the Bioblitz is to identify as many species as possible in a set amount of time. This event provides community members with hand-on learning opportunities that can enhance their knowledge of species identification, biodiversity, citizen science and stewardship.
Why the Minesing Wetlands?
The Minesing Wetlands is one of Southern Ontario’s largest wetland and is home to many unique habitats, vegetation communities, and a vast array of wildlife. The Minesing Wetlands, previously known as the Minesing Swamp, are a Ramsar-designated (internationally significant) wetland located in south-central Ontario. The Minesing Wetlands are one of the largest wetland complexes in southern Ontario and host the largest and best example of a string fen in this part of the province. The Minesing Wetlands have also been designated as a Provincially Significant Wetland (PSW) and a provincially significant Life Science Area of Natural and Scientific Interest (ANSI) by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF).
How does it work?
You will be conducting surveys on a series of hiking trails located in the peripherals of the Minesing Wetlands. You will meet your expert leader and/or participants at your designated hiking trail (which you will choose after you register). All participants will be required to stay with their expert leaders, within close proximity to the designated trail at all times. After the morning and before the afternoon sessions happen, everyone will reconvene at Basecamp (Edenvale CA) to enjoy lunch and brief words of thanks from the organizers.
Schedule:
8-11 am – First round of hikes
11:30-1 pm – Lunch at Basecamp (Edenvale CA)
1:30-4:30 pm – Second round of hikes
Please note:
Want to get involved?
We are currently searching for expert leaders to lead or co-lead one of 7 hikes. Please see “Expert Leader” ticket type for more information.
We are also seeking behind the scenes help to set up, tear down, prepare food, etc. Please see “Behind the Scenes” ticket type for more information.
We will now be accepting participants! Please see the “Participants” ticket type for more information.
To register as a leader, behind the scenes person, or participant for this event please click on the Event Brite button below (this is a free event):
For more information on the Bioblitz please contact us at friendsofminesingwetlands@gmail.com
Local reptiles and amphibians take centre stage at “Evening of Information” presentation.
Utopia, Ontario, Thursday November 10th 2016 – Wonder what’s creeping around in the Minesing Wetlands? The Friends of Minesing Wetlands present an educational program about the reptiles and amphibians found in Simcoe County.
Special guest speaker Jeff Hathaway from Scales Nature Park will discuss identifying, handling and the threats faced by snakes, frogs, turtles, salamanders and other reptiles and amphibians. As Jeff will be bringing local species, following the presentation will be an opportunity for hands-on interaction with the animals.
This event takes place at the Tiffin Conservation Centre for Conservation in Utopia, Thursday November 10, 2016. It is part of the Friends of Minesing Wetlands ongoing “Evening of Science” series.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the presentation begin at 7:00 p.m. While this is a free event, donations may be made at the door. Registration: Limited seating available – first come, first served!
All Friends of Minesing Wetlands ‘Members’ who join us for this event are entered into a free draw to win a beautiful framed photo of the Highway 60 Corridor in Algonquin Park by David Walsh. The winner must be present to win the draw.
To register please click the button below
The 2016 FOWM Board of Directors are happy to present our first strategic plan!
Join us Saturday November 19, 2016 at the Stroud Curling Club in Innisfil from 6:30 – 11:30pm for our annual Curling FunSpeil!
Sign up a team of 4 or as an individual and we’ll find you a team. $25 per person.
Along with curling fun the FOMW directors host a potluck dinner for all players. Cash Bar. During dinner we present on the some of the activities we have worked on to help the Minesing Wetlands and learn about this very important ecological area.
Call or Email to register:
Phone: 705-424-1479 ext. 263
Email: naomi_saunders@rogers.com
Hello Friends of Minesing Wetlands!
We are happy to announce our 2016 winter trips into the Minesing Wetlands.
January 30, 2016 – Snowshoe (contact dfeatherstone@nvca.on.ca to RSVP and for more information)
February 14, 2016 – Cross-country ski (contact bwesson@nvca.on.ca to RSVP and for more information)
February 27, 2016 – Snowshoe (contact Laura.Robson@natureconservancy.ca to RSVP and for more information)
Each trip is $10pp for members, $15pp for non-members and $5pp for students. Space is limited so RSVP early.
The holidays are upon us and soon the new year. 2015 was a great year for the Friends of Minesing Wetlands. We continued to promote the ecological values of the Minesing Wetlands by leading 2 snowshoe trips, a cross-country ski tour and 2 paddles into the Minesing Wetlands. We also presented our second evening of information on the Minesing Wetlands and, of course, hosted our annual funspeil. FOMW memberships is strong and the board of directors are active. We welcomed four new directors to the board in 2015.
Look for us early in 2016 as we will be leading lead 3 winter trips into the Minesing Wetlands.
Thank you for your continued support and Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
We are happy to announce the FOMW Evening of Information will be on Nov 25, 2015 from 6:30-9:30 pm at the Tiffin Center for Conservation, Jose Building.
There is no cost for this event all though we do accept donations. To register please follow this Eventbrite link:
6:30 Doors Open
7 pm Welcome: Naomi Saunders, Chair, Friends of Minesing Wetlands
7:10 History of First Nations in the Minesing Wetlands: Jeff Monague, Manager of Springwater Provincial Park from the Beausoleil First Nations
7:40 Lost in the Wetlands: Search and rescue in Minesing. Darren Buck, Assistant Team Coordinator for the Georgian Bay Volunteer Search and Rescue
8:10 Break
8:25 Ontario Master Naturalist Program (OMNP): Bob Bowles, award-winning environmental consultant, educator and naturalist: speaking about this new community program brought to Canada
9 pm Questions (Speaker Panel)
We look forward to sharing the wonders of the Minesing Wetland!
Event is free however donations will be accepted.
All members of the Friends of Minesing Wetlands who attend will be entered into a free draw for David Walsh’s beautiful photo canvas of the Snowy Owl.
Friends of Minesing Wetlands 