Category Archives: Tour

2019 Spring Paddle Announcement

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2019 Spring Paddle Announcement

The Friends of Minesing Wetlands are excited to announce that we will be leading trips into the Minesing Wetlands via canoe or kayak on April 28th and May 12!

To register for the events please contact our events team by email (fomwevents@gmail.com). In your email please include the following information for each participant: full name, email, phone number and type of watercraft (kayak vs canoe) you will be joining us in. Please note that we only take 12 guest boats per trip, so register early to reserve your spot!

The exact route will be chosen at the discretion of the leaders based on water levels, as well as wind direction and speed. Final trip details such as route, locations to put in and take out boats will be emailed to participants on the Wednesday before the trip.

Regardless of the trip route we will meet at 8:30 a.m. and the trip will take approximately 5 hours, as this is approximately an 18 km paddle.

There is a maximum of 12 boats per trip which is reflected in the amount of tickets available. Due to the 12-boat limit, we have to estimate the amount of tickets for each watercraft type. As a result, we have made less kayak tickets available.

At least a basic paddling know how is required for this trip. Participants are expected to bring their own vessel, equipped with all of the required safety equipment (life jackets, bailer, whistle, light and throw rope). We do not rent equipment however if you need a vessel (kayak or canoe) there are at least three local providers you can contact. Contact fomwevents@gmail.com if you require the contact information for local outfitters.

There is a minimum age requirement of 14 years of age to join the trip.

Fee is $25 per person. This includes safe passage with certified leaders and ecological interpretation of the Minesing Wetlands.

 

 

Snowshoe the Minesing Wetlands

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Join us on March 10 as we lead a snowshoe trip into the Minesing Wetlands.

The snowshoe will take us to one of Ontario’s oldest Great Blue Heron nesting sites (Heronry) if the conditions are right with enough snow and ice. Regardless of where we end up, along the way expect to be dazzled by the landscape and possibly encounter some hardy wildlife that endure Canada’s winter. On past snowshoe adventures we have encountered Snowy Owls and Bald Eagles! FOMW will provide ecological interpretation of the Minesing Wetlands.

Cost is $10 per person. Please bring cash on the day. Departure time is at 1:00 pm.

The adventure will require approximately 3 hours of snowshoeing, which includes periodic breaks. Bring your own snacks, water and warm drinks, and dress appropriately for winter weather! Extra socks and extra clothing, just in case.

Don’t have a pair of snowshoes? Our group recently purchased 2 pairs (one pair will fit a medium to small stature female and one pair will fit a medium to small stature male) to rent out during the hike for a fee of $10 per pair (in addition to the hike fee of $10). This is a perfect opportunity for first timers! They will be available on a first come, first serve basis.

Please register by email (fomwevents@gmail.com) for more details and to reserve your spot.”

Snowshoe with Friends of Minesing Wetlands

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FOMW will be leading three winter activities in the Minesing Wetlands this winter.

Snowshoe in the Minesing Wetlands Jan 28, 2017 RSVP with Dave: dfeatherstone@nvca.on.ca

or for Feb 25, 2017 RSVP with Naomi: nsaunders@nvca.on.ca

Cross-Country Ski in the Minesing Wetlands Feb 11 or 12 (unconfirmed) RSVP with Byron bwesson@nvca.on.ca

$10 for members, $15 for non-members.

 

Spring Paddle Announcement

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**FULL – both paddles are now full and we are not accepting anymore RSVPs**

The Friends of Minesing Wetlands are excited to announce two dates when we will be leading trips into the Minesing Wetlands via canoe or kayak! April 23rd and May 7th.

To join us on the 23rd of April, please contact Naomi Saunders:
nsaunders@nvca.on.ca

If you would like to join us on May the 7th, please contact Kristyn Ferguson :
Kristyn.Ferguson@natureconservancy.ca

This will reserve a spot for yourself and anyone accompanying you. We only take 12 guest boats per trip.

We will meet at 8:30 a.m. (at the latest) at the Willow Creek Canoe Coral on George Johnson Road (County Road 28) in Springwater Township. This should give us enough time to off-load our canoes and shuttle our cars to the end destination which is approximately 10 minutes away. Hopefully this will be done quickly so that we can get on the water for 9 a.m. The trip will take approximately 5 hours.

Dress appropriately for the weather conditions of the day, which should include high cut boots or rubber boots for possible portages. Also, bring extra clothing in case you get wet. Bring your own warm drinks, snacks for along the way, and a packed lunch for our break around noon.

At least a basic paddling knowhow is required for this trip. All boats must be equipped with the required safety equipment (lifejackets, bailer, whistle, light and throw rope). We do not rent equipment however if you need a boat there are at least three local providers you can contact.

The cost for joining us is $40 for non-members and $20 for members. This includes safe passage with certified leaders and ecological interpretation of the Minesing Wetlands.

Winter Trip Announcement

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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.

Fall Paddle 2015

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Hello Friends of Minesing Wetlands.

FOMW will be leading a fall paddle through the Minesing Wetlands on October 3, 2015.

If you have questions or would like to RSVP please contact Sean Rootham s_rootham@ducks.ca

There is limited space on this trip.

The cost is $20 for members and $40 for non-members.

We will meet and depart at the Willow Creek Canoe Coral on George Johnson Road (Cty Rd 28) and take out at the Edenvale Conservation Area.

Plan to meet at Willow Creek Coral no later than 8:30 am. The trip will take approx. 5 hours. At least a basic paddling know-how is required for this trip. All boats must be equipped with the required safety equipment (life jackets, bailer, whistle, light and throw rope).

Dress appropriately for the weather conditions of the day. Also, bring extra clothing in case you get wet. Bring your own warm drinks and snacks for along the way, and a packed lunch for our break around noon.

FOMW Spring Canoe Trips 2015

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FOMW Spring Canoe Trips 2015

The Friends of Minesing Wetlands are excited to announce two dates when we will be leading trips into the Minesing Wetlands via canoe or kayak! April 18th and May 9th.

To join us on the 18th of April, please contact:
Kristyn Ferguson at 519-826-0068 x.222/519-400-9140 Kristyn.Ferguson@natureconservancy.ca

If you would like to join us on May the 9th, please contact:
Sean Rootham at
s_rootham@ducks.ca

This will reserve a spot for yourself and anyone accompanying you.
We only take 20 boats per trip.

We will meet at 8:30 a.m. (at the latest) at the Willow Creek Canoe Coral on George Johnson Road (County Road 28) in Springwater Township. This should give us enough time to off-load our canoes and shuttle our cars to the end destination, which is approximately 10 minutes away. Hopefully this will be done quickly so that we can get on the water for 9 a.m. The trip will take approximately 5 hours.

Dress appropriately for the weather conditions of the day, which should include high cut boots or rubber boots for possible portages. Also, bring extra clothing in case you get wet. Bring your own warm drinks, snacks for along the way, and a packed lunch for our break around noon.

At least a basic paddling knowhow is required for this trip. All boats must be equipped with the required safety equipment (lifejackets, bailer, whistle, light and throw rope). We do not rent equipment, however if you need a boat there are at least three local providers you can contact.

The cost for joining us is $40 for non-members and $20 for members.
This includes safe passage with certified leaders and ecological interpretation of the Minesing Wetlands.

fomw_paddle_pic  FOMW

 

Winter Adventures in the Minesing Wetlands

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Join the Friends of Minesing Wetlands for a winter adventure in the Minesing Wetlands!

We will lead a snowshoe on February 28 to the Mad River heronry. See “Eventbrite” link below for directions to the meeting point.

Snacks, water, warm drinks and warm clothing are essential. The snowshoe will take approximately 3 hours, which includes breaks for historical and ecological interpretation. Departure time is 9:30 a.m.

Please register for the events with the links below. $10 for members, $15 for non-members, $5 student.

February 28 – Snowshoe to the Minesing Wetlands Heronry

Eventbrite - Snowshoe with the Friends of Minesing Wetlands

For more information contact Naomi Saunders nsaunders@nvca.on.ca

Spring Paddles 2014

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Paddle the Minesing Wetlands

The Friends of Minesing Wetlands (FOMW) are excited to announce the dates for our annual spring paddle in the Minesing Wetlands.  They are:

April 12, 2014

May 3, 2014

May 17, 2014

To R.S.V.P. for one of these paddles (space is limited) please contact nsaunders@nvca.on.ca

All trips depart from the Willow Creek Canoe Coral on George Johnson Road (County Road 28) and will take approximately 5 hours.

Dress appropriately for the conditions of the day, which should include high cut boots for possible portages.  Bring your own warm drinks, water, and snacks for the go – as well as a packed lunch for our break around noon.

Midday break for lunch

Midday break for lunch

At least a basic paddling know-how is required for this trip and ensure that you bring the required safety equipment for your boat (life jacket, bailer, throw rope, whistle, flashlight). We can arrange for the rental of canoes and life jackets if needed.

The cost is $40 for non-members and $20 for members.  This includes safe passage with certified leaders and ecological interpretation of the Minesing Wetlands.

Heronry Snowshoe March 1

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On March 1 the Friends of Minesing Wetlands led another successful tour into the Minesing Wetlands

FOMW trip leaders Sean and Dave
FOMW trip leaders Sean and Dave

Weather conditions were very similar to the snowshoe a month earlier with overcast skies and cold temperatures, but it didn’t take long to warm up once we started snowshoeing.

Friends starting off for the heronry

FOMW begin snowshoe to the Minesing Wetlands heronry

Along the way we came across evidence of active wildlife in the wetlands including an Otter track (slide) that lead to a hole marking the entrance to its hunting grounds under frozen Willow Creek. In the trees along the Nottawasaga River we could here the calls of woodpeckers.

The group collected Hackberry fruit again, which will end up in a nursery for up to 4 years before being planted along the Nottawasaga River levee as part of an afforestation project aimed to bolster forest cover in the Minesing Wetlands.

Gathering the low hanging fruit!

Gathering the low hanging fruit!

From the levees of the Nottawasaga river we pushed out onto the frozen floodplains where the Great Blue Heron nesting site (heronry) is located. As reported earlier this month we confirmed 8 nests. The decline in nests in the Minesing Wetlands could be attributed to declining forest cover (less suitable nesting sites) and, as pointed out by our trip  leaders,  territory issues related to neighboring Bald Eagle nests.

Across the floodplain

Across the floodplain

It was a fun and educational day that gave our guests a unique look at the Minesing Wetlands. Thanks to all who participated!