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
Join us on Saturday November 12 from 1:30-3:30pm as we clean up the roadside around the Minesing Wetlands.
We will meet at the canoe coral on George Johnson Road at Willow Creek.
Snacks and drinks provided…please bring your own gloves.
To RSVP for this event contact Naomi Saunders: naomi_saunders@rogers.com
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
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:
All are welcome!
This is a free event but donations for access to the NVCA are always welcome.
To register follow this link: Minesing Wetlands Dragonfly Count and fill out the R.S.V.P. form.
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.”
Friends of Minesing Wetlands 