We are pleased to provide you with a report on the results of our 2017 Bioblitz:
Minseing Wetlands BioBlitz 2017 Results
Thanks to Brittany Hope at the Nature Conservancy Canada for producing this report.
Category Archives: Special Project
Minesing Wetlands Bioblitz
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:
- Expert Leaders and Participants will be able to sign up for a morning or afternoon hike post-registration, there is no expectation that you commit to a full day, but to simplify the ticket process we have made it an all day event.
- There will be a kid-friendly hike available. Parents will be required to stay with their children at all times during the event.
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
FOMW Strategic Plan 2016-2018
The 2016 FOWM Board of Directors are happy to present our first strategic plan!
Tree planting volunteers needed!
The Friends of Minesing Wetlands need volunteers to help with several tree plantings in and around the Minesing Wetlands. Individuals and community groups/schools welcomed!
Community Volunteer Tree Plant
Date: Monday, May 16, 2016 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Minesing Wetlands Conservation Area
Contact: Shannon Stephens at 705-424-1479 ext. 239 or sstephens@nvca.on.ca.
Community Volunteer Tree Plant
Date: Thursday, May 26, 2016 9:00 AM – 2:30 PM
Location: Minesing Wetlands Conservation Area
Register online www.conservationvolunteers.ca. Please note you must RSVP as chest waders are limited.
Contact: Jennifer McCarter, NCC at 1-877-343-3532 x237
Register online www.conservationvolunteers.ca. Please note you must RSVP as chest waders are limited.
Contact: Jennifer McCarter, NCC at 1-877-343-3532 x237
Community Volunteer Tree Plant
Date: Saturday, May 28, 2016 9:00 AM – 2:30 PM
Location: Minesing Wetlands Conservation Area
Register online www.conservationvolunteers.ca. Please note you must RSVP as chest waders are limited.
Contact: Jennifer McCarter, NCC at 1-877-343-3532 x237
Register online www.conservationvolunteers.ca. Please note you must RSVP as chest waders are limited.
Contact: Jennifer McCarter, NCC at 1-877-343-3532 x237
Minesing Tree Planting Event
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TD Tree Days – Minesing Planting Event
Volunteers Needed!
TD Tree Days Sept 20 2015 Flyer
Date: Sunday, September 20, 2015 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Minesing Wetlands – Mad River, 9196 County Rd 10 (Brentwood Rd)
Help plant 450 beautiful native trees and shrubs along the banks of the magnificent, fish-filled, Mad River. You can make it even more magnificent!
* Bring: Closed-toed shoes/boots, Gloves, Sunscreen, Hat, Water, and a Shovel if you have one
* Students: remember to bring your volunteer form!
Register: https://www.tdtreedays.com/en-ca/events/231-minesing-wetlands-mad-river#.VakGnE3bKAY
Need more information? Contact Shannon Stephens 705-424-1479 ext 239 or sstephens@nvca.on.ca
Nine Mile Portage Committee Invitation
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.”
Highlights from February 1, 2014 Snowshoe
The Friends of the Minesing Wetlands celebrated World Wetlands Day by leading a snowshoe into the Minesing Wetlands. Our goal was to locate the current location of heronry (or rookery) and get a count on the current number of nests. We also wanted to share knowledge on past and current ecological conditions in the Minesing Wetlands.
It was a blustery day to for a snowshoe led by FOWM directors Sean Rootham, Dave Featherstone and David Walsh…
And we’re off!
The FOMW crossed Willow Creek and then on to the Nottawasaga Levee. Although the overcast skies and heavy snow limited views, the group was still able to see the expansive floodplain. We came across examples of challenges facing the Minesing Wetlands including invasive species.
Phragmites at Downey Drain Crossing
From a recent analysis of forest cover in the Minesing Wetlands, Sean Rootham reported a 60% decline in deciduous floodplain forest between 1953 and 2013. This forest decline has led to a significant shift in wetland structure in the Minesing Wetlands where closed canopy swamp forest (floodplain and boreal) once constituted the majority of the wetland habitat, now, open canopy habitats (marsh, fen, thicket swamp) predominate.
Talking About Forest Change
The group of friends collected fruit from Hackberry trees along the Nottawasaga River levee, which will support afforestation projects aimed to bolster remaining deciduous floodplain forest in the Minesing Wetlands.
Hackberry Fruit Collection
Also on the snowshoe the FOWM identified the nesting site of Great Blue Herons in the Minesing Wetlands. We confirmed 8 nests and 2 “maybes”.
It was a fun winter activity on a perfect winter day for the Friends of Minesing Wetlands showing once again that the Minesing Wetlands truly is a “wetland for all seasons”.
Protecting a Sensitve Wetland
Vehicle Access Barriers and Signage
Motorized vehicle use on NVCA lands in the wetlands is a prohibited and damaging activity, yet there was little in the way of either physical or visual barriers on some of the access points. Enforcement is also difficult and as a result, mud truck and all terrain vehicle operators caused significant damage to sensitive areas within the wetlands. In response, seven vehicle access barriers and signs at popular access points were installed in 2001. Similar barriers were successful at deterring operators of motorized vehicles from gaining access to sensitive areas in other parts of the province and so they were strategically located around Minesing wetlands to attempt to prevent further damage to systems such as the string fens. The final step in the project was the production and circulation of Fact Sheets regarding motorized vehicle damage in wetlands.
The official unveiling took place on October 9th, at the junction of Ronald Road and Glengarry Landing Road South, just west of Minesing. In attendance were local politicians, NVCA members, the media and representatives from TD Canada Trust Friends of the Environment Foundation, through which we received the funding for such an ambitious undertaking.
SPONSORS & CREDITS
Major funding dollars were provided by the TD Canada Trust Friends of the Environment Foundation. FOMW received contributions of materials, time and equipment from Munro Concrete in Barrie, and had a significant partner in the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority for experienced staff time, equipment use, and administrative resources.
Friends of Minesing Wetlands 