February 2016
Go Wild Grow Wild - Just Around the Corner!
 
Become a Member Today!
Last year's Go Wild Grow Wild Expo was a huge success, and this year the expo will be bigger and better! Mark your calendar and get ready to celebrate all that is extraordinary in Canada’s deep south.
Go Wild Grow Wild Expo 2016 will gather over 100 of the region’s green businesses, experts, organizations and groups to connect you with places to visit, things to see and do, the best outdoor adventure spots, gardening tips, native plants, local food and wine, and so much more. Get inspired to take your next great outdoor adventure!
Come join us on April 2, 2016 at the Metroland Media Agriplex at the Western Fair District.
Purchase your ticket(s) now!
Volunteer at the expo and help support our green community
For exhibitor and sponsorship information, visit: gowildgrowwild.ca
Exhibitor booths are going fast, so if you want to get involved be sure to apply today
Thanks to the support of Environment Canada, the Ontario Trillium Foundation, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, and a host of other partners for supporting our programs to "Green the Future of Canada’s Deep South".
Go Wild Grow Wild - Exhibitor Booths Almost Gone!
Saturday, April 2, 2016, London
Carolinian Canada Coalition
Click Here to Apply
Don't miss you're opportunity to connect with thousands of active green people - get your booth before it's gone!
Join our growing list of exhibitors! With an early spring date, Go Wild Grow Wild showcases the stories, services and products that will inspire outdoor adventurers and native plant gardening for the coming season. The 2015 event attracted over 1,700 attendees, and here is what one past exhibitor had to say:
"This show is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to engage with a very targeted audience interested in adventure and outdoor tourism"
There are still booths available, but they are going fast so sign up your organization today!
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Volunteers Needed! Get Involved with Go Wild Grow Wild
Saturday, April 2, 2016, London
Carolinian Canada Coalition
Click Here to Learn More
Did you enjoy Go Wild Grow Wild last year and want to get involved? Do you know a high school student looking to fill their volunteer hours?
The Expo is looking for volunteers to help on April 2 with set-up, ticket sales, exhibitor support, clean up, planning, and more! It's going to be a big fun day, and we invite you to come out and help support our green community.
Sign up to volunteer today!
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Go Wild Grow Wild Receives a Grow Grant
Saturday, April 2, 2016, London
Carolinian Canada Coalition
Click Here to Learn More
Go Wild Grow Wild partners are getting a boost from Ontario Trillium Foundation’s new Grow grant for green people. Find out how this grant inspires healthy habitats for healthy communities on April 2.
Other sponsors already include Environment Canada, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, Green Lane Community Trust, World Wildlife Fund Canada, Ontario Nativescape, The City of London, Forests Ontario, Lower Thames Conservation Authority, Ontario Southwest, Mountain Equipment COOP, St. Williams Nursery and Ecology Centre, Blue Aardvark Graphic Communication, and 123print.ca .
Thank you to all of our sponsors, and special thanks to Ontario Trillium Foundation, for helping this year's Go Wild Grow Wild Expo get off to a great start. Checkout the Go Wild Grow Wild home page to find out how your organization can join the growing list of sponsors for this unique event. Invest in a green future for Canada’s Deep South and engage people who love the outdoors.
See you at the expo!
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Bohemian Waxwings and 300 Species in Carolinian Canada Big Year
Carolinian Canada Coalition
Click Here to Read the Full Blog Entry and Donate
"It was a grey, drizzly day, and the roads were slick. But I made it to Morrisburg. After searching the shores of Ault Island for many hours, I did not find the Smew, but did see huge flocks of thousands upon thousands of Snow Geese; they had delayed their migration south because of the slow onset of winter. It was truly a soul-stirring spectacle -- and in and of itself made the trip worthwhile. And, not long after my arrival and much to my delight, a flock of 30 Bohemian Waxwings landed in a tree right next to the road along the St. Lawrence River shore where I was searching. Those beautiful berry-eating long-distance travelers from the boreal forest would raise my 2015 species total for Ontario to 300. Missions accomplished."
It's not too late to help Jarmo reach his goal of $3000 for 300 species for 30 years of Carolinian Canada! Follow the link above to read Jarmo's final blog entry and help him reach his goal.
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Landowner Leader Profile - The Eaglesons and Mulberry Meadows
Carolinian Canada Coalition
Read More About Mulberry Meadows
My wife Marilyn and I were both raised on farms in southern Huron County. After lengthy teaching careers in Kent County, we decided to re-establish our rural roots and in 2006 purchased a 58-acre property in Dawn Euphemia Township, near Florence in southern Lambton County. It was named “Mulberry Meadows”! The property has 40 acres of fairly young Carolinian woodlands straddling Fansher Creek, near the junction with the Sydenham River.
The property also had 18 acres of actively cropped agricultural land. With the financial assistance of the St Clair Region Conservation Authority as well as the Rural Lambton Stewardship Network, we returned approximately 14 acres to a more natural state. Approximately 5 acres was seeded into tall grass prairie, 2 acres into a nut-tree plantation, and 2 acres into a hardwood (mainly oak and hickory) woodlot. In addition, 4 acres along the property boundary was planted with trees and berry producing shrubs to create a windbreak.
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Landowner Leader Profile - The Casiers
Carolinian Canada Coalition
Click Here to Read More
Ron Casier joined the Landowner Leaders program in February 2015. However, his efforts to practice good land stewardship on his 50-acre property near St. Thomas in Elgin County started many years ago. In his now 20-acre woodland, Ron provides habitat for woodpeckers by simply leaving a variety of dead standing trees (snags) and trees in declining health as is. He leaves all of the dead ash, beech and hickory trees to allow the woodpecker population to feed on the insects affecting these tree species.
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Carolinian Canada Volunteer Profile: Jennifer Hoesen
Carolinian Canada Coalition
My goal is to build a larger community in support for the Carolinian Zone. I’m passionate about biodiversity storytelling and science communication. I believe scientifically, visually and artistically we can draw more interest to the ecosystem through the use of pictures, maps, and infographics. Specializing in land stewardship; I’ve worked with a variety of stakeholders to build long term commitments in support of biodiversity, species at risk, and nature. I’m hoping that by using both art and science to tell a story, we can expand upon the work CCC is doing, and bring in new support to protect and restore green space in Canada’s heavily populated south.
Jennifer has been volunteering to lead Carolinian Canada's social media efforts. You can join in the conversation on Facebook and Twitter!
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Carolinian Canada Staff Profile: Karolyne Pickett
Carolinian Canada Coalition
Karolyne Pickett manages Carolinian Canada Coalition’s Landowner Leaders program. Karolyne is an ecologist with over 10 years of experience working on species at risk in Ontario at both the federal and provincial government levels. From identifying habitat impacts to recommending mitigation measures, she has extensive experience working through challenging land-use issues. Karolyne thrives on the successful navigation of our modern way of life’s competing interests. Nothing is more fascinating to her than the diversity of life forms and the beauty of nature. Karolyne finds it extremely fulfilling to collaborate with landowners that share that same sense of wonder for the natural world, and looks forward to helping many landowners conserve and restore natural habitat on the lands they hold dear.
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Feature News
Recycling with PURPOSE
London
Quinton and Blake Pluzak started a recycling business 4 years ago when they were 11 and 12 years old, calling their business Pluzak Useful Recycling Protecting Our Sacred Environment (PURPOSE). They provide their own bins to their frequent customers (mostly neighbours and friends) and collect aluminum cans and returnable glass bottles. They crush the cans and store them in their garage until they can truck them to Zubick’s in London for recycling. Returnable bottles are taken to the Beer Store as their bins get full. Both boys are active volunteers in the community and are avid outdoorsmen as well, with a great deal of respect for the natural environment
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Read the Whole Article
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Photo credit: Kathleen Blake-Pluzak
CCC in the News
On Nature's Death Row: Ontario's Vanished Carolinian Forest
The Tyee - Click Here to Read the Article
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Opportunities for Comment
City of Waukesha, Wisconsin, to Extract Water from Lake Michigan
Tuesday, January 12, 2016 to Monday, March 14, 2016
Government of Ontario
Click Here to Learn More and Comment
the State of Wisconsin submitted the City of Waukesha water proposal application to the Great Lakes – St. Lawrence River Water Resources Regional Body (Regional Body) on January 7, 2016. The City of Waukesha, Wisconsin has applied to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to divert up to an annual average of 10.1 million gallons (38.2 million litres) of water per day from Lake Michigan.
Ontarians have an opportunity to comment on the Waukesha proposal through the Regional Body’s public participation process. A two-month public comment period began on January 12, 2016 and will close on March 14, 2016.
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Species At Risk Draft and Final Recovery Strategies for Comment
Government of Ontario
www.ontario.ca/environmentalregistry
Draft and final recovery strategies have been posted for 18 species. The Government of Ontario invites you to provide any additional scientific information, including community and Aboriginal traditional knowledge, on these species. Any information received will be considered by the recovery strategy authors, along with all other available information, to develop the final recovery strategies. To view the Environmental Registry notice and submit a comment on the draft recovery strategies, please visit www.ontario.ca/environmentalregistry and enter #012-6265 in the search. The comment period for these strategies closes February 25, 2016. For the final recovery strategies, enter #012-6266 in the search.
Draft Recovery Strategies: Bank Swallow, Blunt-lobed Woodsia, Channel Darter, False Hop Sedge, Goldenseal, Loggerhead Shrike, Massasauga (Carolinian population), Massasauga (Great Lakes – St. Lawrence population), Scarlet Ammannia, and Toothcup.
Final Recovery Strategies: Bluehearts, Dense Blazing Star, Pink Milkwort, Showy Goldenrod (Great Lakes Plains population), Skinner’s Agalinis, Small White Lady’s-slipper, Spotted Gar, and White Prairie Gentian.
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Members Notice Board
Announcements
Free Webinars: Conservation Certification Online Application Training
Wednesday, March 16, 2016
Wildlife Habitat Council
Click Here to Learn More
The Wildlife Habitat Council Conservation Certification program will soon be online, and you can now explore free training webinars that walk you through the features of the website to help you organize your projects and submit your application for Conservation Certification. There will be 12 sessions from March - June, all with the same information - so you can chose the webinar that best fits your schedule.
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Native Plant Nurseries 2016 Catalogue
Native Plant Nurseries
Click Here to Learn More
Spring will be here before we know it and Native Plant Nurseries would like to assist you with any of your upcoming planting projects. They specialize in plants that are native to Ontario making them naturally low maintenance perennials, hardy, drought tolerant, great for conserving water and amazing for our local birds, butterflies, bees, etc.
If you would be interested in receiving either an electronic version or hard copy of their Free 2016 Native Plant Nurseries Catalogue contact Native Plant Nurseries. It includes all of the info needed to select the most suitable native plants for a given site.
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Nocturnal Owl Survey
Bird Studies Canada
Click Here to Learn More
To conserve owls and their habitats, we must monitor their populations. These important predators, and their prey, are affected by a number of environmental factors, including changes in Canadian forests. Through the national Nocturnal Owl Survey, nine regional survey programs are conducted across Canada. Volunteers have unique opportunities to hear and see these fascinating birds. Citizen Scientists collect valuable information that helps document owl distribution and population trends.
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Best-of-Cycling London
London
London Cycle Group
Click Here to Learn More
It's been a great year for cycling in London. A lot of new infrastructure as been built and a number of great events have contributed to the development of our cycling culture. To celebrate these achievements, London Cycle Group put together a year-end best-of list, and you can vote for your favourites on Facebook
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Ontario Nature Conservation Awards
Thursday, March 31, 2016
Ontario Nature
Click Here to Learn More
Do you know a conservation hero whose efforts and accomplishments deserve recognition? Now is your chance to celebrate their achievements by nominating them for one of Ontario Nature’s Conservation Awards!
Not only are individual conservation leaders eligible, but some award categories also recognize groups, media outlets, municipalities, government agencies or corporations that have made an outstanding contribution to conservation in 2015.
All award winners will be recognized at Ontario Nature’s 85th Annual Gathering at Evergreen Resort in South Bruce Peninsula on June 4, 2016 and will be featured in ON Nature magazine’s fall 2016 issue.
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Seniors' Hiking Initiative
Hike Ontario
Click Here to Learn More
HIKE ONTARIO has developed a new program for adults 55 and older to provide training and build a support system for novice hikers and walkers. The Seniors' Hiking Initiative will introduce seniors to the skills needed and the benefits of hiking and walking. Hike Ontario is looking to partners with Seniors' Community Centres and Seniors' groups across Ontario to offer the initiative. If your group would like to foster a hiking program, contact Hike Ontario at info@hikeontario.com
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Ontario Nature's New Citizen Science Hub
Ontario Nature
Contact: mackenzien@ontarionature.org
Ontario Nature is thrilled to announce the launch of a new Citizen Science Hub this spring. The hub is designed to link members of the public with citizen science projects across the province. It will be accessible to groups interested in promoting their citizen science projects to a broader audience and to individuals keen to join a project in their community. Contact Mackenzie Nichols for more information on how you or your group can use this great resource.
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Webinar Series: Asian Carp 101
Invasive Species Center
Click Here to Watch the Webinars
This webinar series explores the invasion of Asian carp on the waterways of the United States and the potential for spill over into Canada's lakes and rivers.
Asian Carp 101 describes the four species of Asian carps that have invaded the United States waterway systems and now threaten the Great Lakes. Becky Cudmore, Senior Science Advisor and manager of the Asian Carp Program at Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), discusses the biology of these invasive fishes and the risk they pose to Canadian waters. Becky also describes DFO’s Asian Carp Program and what is being done to protect the Canadian Great Lakes from this threat - description from asiancarp.ca
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Funding Available for Canadian Bird Research and Conservation
Bird Studies Canada
Click Here to Learn More
Bird Studies Canada is now accepting applications to the James L. Baillie Memorial Fund for Bird Research and Preservation (the Baillie Fund) for the 2016 grant cycle. A portion of funds raised through our annual Great Canadian Birdathon are allocated to the Baillie Fund to provide grants to individuals or groups for projects that further BSC’s mission. Since 1978, the Baillie Fund has provided grants totalling nearly $720,000 to 591 bird research and conservation projects across Canada. In reviewing grant applications, the Baillie Fund Trustees give priority to projects that engage the skills and enthusiasm of amateur naturalists and volunteers to help us understand, appreciate, and conserve Canadian birds in their natural environments.
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RBC-Evergreen Watershed Champions Award
Friday, April 8, 2016
Evergreen
Click Here to Learn More
Learn about your local water ecosystem and win! Make a difference in your watershed! RBC and Evergreen are offering eight awards of $2,500 and one grand prize award of $3,500 to publicly funded classes (Grades K–12) across Canada—just for learning about water.
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Events
Webinar: Report from the Commissioner of Environment and Sustainable Development
Wednesday, March 2, 2016
Sustainability Network
Click Here to Learn More
Join the webinar March 2, 2016 at 1 PM Eastern for an hour long presentation and discussion with Julie Gelfand, Commissioner of Environment and Sustainable Development. She'll discuss her recently released report which deals with Canada's commitment to: Pesticide Safety, Oversight of Federally Regulated Pipelines, Departmental Progress in Implementing Sustainable Development Strategies, and the Environmental Petitions Annual Report.
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Four London Community Grants Open
Thursday, March 31, 2016
Government of Ontario
email ocef@ontario.ca for more information
Ontario uses penalties collected from environmental violations to fund community projects that restore and protect the environment. Not-for-profit organizations, First Nations and Métis communities, municipalities, schools, colleges, universities, and conservation authorities can get government grants for local projects in their watersheds. This year, $325,000 from the Ontario Community Environment Fund (OCEF) will be shared among 19 watersheds across the province where environmental penalties were collected.
Past projects have successfully restored riverbanks by planting native trees and plants, helped protect the Great Lakes from invasive species, improved fish and wildlife habitat, and helped improve air quality and fight climate change in communities across Ontario.
The deadline to submit an application is March 31, 2016. For more information about an OCEF grant in your community, please email ocef@ontario.ca
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Ontario Environmental Bill of Rights Workshop: A Toolkit for Change
Tuesday, March 1, 2016
Sustainability Network
Click Here to Register
This interactive workshop will introduce you to Ontario's Environmental Bill of Rights (EBR), a powerful toolkit for environmental change. Whether your issues are wildlife or water taking permits, alvars or air quality, greenhouse gases or gravel pits, you want to ensure you have the full range of tools at your disposal. The EBR is designed to boost public engagement with Ontario’s environmental laws and policies.
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All About Bees
Tuesday, February 23, 2016, London
Friends of Medway Creek
RSVP to Julie Welker: welkerj@thamesriver.on.ca
The Friends of Medway Creek would like to invite you to listen to a presentation about Bees. We all know there is more then meets the eye when it comes to these little black and yellow creatures so join us and find out more about these amazing drones!
When: Tuesday, February 23, 2016
Time: 7:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.
Where: 1424 Clarke Road - the WCC building right before the dam on Fanshawe Lake
Who: Bob Crowhurst, President Middlesex/Elgin Bee Keeping Association
What: Bob will talk about the exciting lives of bees and will touch a little bit on the new policies that are in place to help protect bees.
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85 Years of Ontario Nature
Friday, June 3, 2016 to Monday, June 6, 2016
Ontario Nature
Click Here to Learn More
The Bruce Beckons! Save the date to join Ontario Nature at Evergreen Resort, South Bruce Peninsula on June 3-5, 2016 for their annual gathering! Explore local ecological treasures and a great diversity of habitats, including field trips to Ontario Nature’s Petrel Point and Malcolm Bluff Shores nature reserves. Members will also have the opportunity to vote at the annual general meeting during the weekend. Celebrate Ontario Nature's 85th anniversary with 85 outdoor events held throughout the year. Stay tuned for more information about activities near you!
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Winter Activities on the Grand
Grand River Conservation Authority
Click Here to Learn More
There is always lots to do all along the grand river. Check out Ice Fishing, Rockwood Conservation Area's Winter Family Fun Day, and even a sled dog race at Guelph Lake. Don't miss great workshops in early March: Managing Trees on your Property, and Sharing Experiences for environmental groups.
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Lambton County Woodlot Owners Association Annual Meeting and Information Day
Saturday, February 27, 2016
Lambton County Woodlot Owners Association
Click Here to Learn More
Saturday, February 27, 2016 @ 1 PM at the Alvinston Arena - Free Admission
The meeting is open to anyone with an interest in trees or forests. and features presentations “Wild Flowers: The Hidden Gems of Southern Ontario’s Woodlots” with Jenny L. McCune, and “Saving the American Chestnut in Ontario” with Ron Casier. Following the presentations there will be a brief intermission followed by the business portion of the Annual Meeting.
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Apply Now for the 2016 Young Ornithologists’ Workshop
Saturday, April 30, 2016
Bird Studies Canada
Click Here to Learn More
Every year, with support from our Doug Tarry Natural History Fund, Bird Studies Canada and Long Point Bird Observatory (LPBO) select six of Canada’s most promising young birders between the ages of 13-17 to participate in our Young Ornithologists’ Workshop at LPBO in southern Ontario. The Doug Tarry Bird Study Award covers all on-site expenses for those chosen to attend.
The 2016 workshop will take place from Saturday, August 6 to Sunday, August 14. Participants receive hands-on training in field ornithology. Activities include an introduction to bird monitoring and banding, bird identification, birding trips, preparing museum specimens, guest lectures, and more! Applications are due by April 30, 2016
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Impact! Developing Youth Sustainability Leaders
Ontario Environmental Network
Click Here to Learn More
Impact! is targeted at university/college students aged 19-30 years old (current or graduated in the last year) who are passionate about sustainability and want to make a difference in their community. Participants will deepen their sustainability understanding, enhance their confidence as leaders, and be empowered to develop and advance meaningful sustainability projects and social enterprises to address our pressing environmental, social, and economic challenges. IMPACT! is an initiative of The Co-operators and The Natural Step Canada, is generously funded in part by the Ontario Trillium Foundation and Ontario Government, and is being delivered in partnership with many community partners.
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Lots to Do in Lambton County!
Lambton Wildlife
Click Here to Learn More
Lambton Wildlife has some great indoor and outdoor programming coming up. In February, don't miss Dr. Beth MacDougall-Shackleton on the Geographic Variation of Bird Song. In March, mark your calendar for the Maple Syrup Outing at the Nicol Farm Sugar Bush. In April, attend the Frogs and Toads Outing, and come out for the Lambton Wildlife Incorporated Annual General Meeting and Banquet.
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Upcoming Birding Course: Beyond Backyard Birding!
Tuesday, March 22, 2016 to Tuesday, April 19, 2016
Lambton Wildlife
Register: bird.course@lambtonwildlife.com
A beginner/intermediate bird course of 5, 2-hour evening sessions covering a variety of topics including bird identification skills, photography, and much more! Contact Felicia at 519-402-2326 or email bird.course@lambtonwildlife.com. Cost: $10 for members, $30 for non-members (non-members receive a one year membership)
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In This Month's News
Go Wild Grow Wild - Exhibitor Booths Almost Gone!
Volunteers Needed! Get Involved with Go Wild Grow Wild
Go Wild Grow Wild Receives a Grow Grant
Bohemian Waxwings and 300 Species in Carolinian Canada Big Year
Landowner Leader Profile - The Eaglesons and Mulberry Meadows
Landowner Leader Profile - The Casiers
Carolinian Canada Volunteer Profile: Jennifer Hoesen
Carolinian Canada Staff Profile: Karolyne Pickett
Feature News
Recycling with PURPOSE
CCC in the News
On Nature's Death Row: Ontario's Vanished Carolinian Forest
Opportunities for Comment
City of Waukesha, Wisconsin, to Extract Water from Lake Michigan
Species At Risk Draft and Final Recovery Strategies for Comment
Members Notice Board
Announcements
Free Webinars: Conservation Certification Online Application Training
Native Plant Nurseries
Nocturnal Owl Survey
Best-of-Cycling London
Ontario Nature Conservation Awards
Seniors' Hiking Initiative
Ontario Nature's New Citizen Science Hub
Webinar Series: Asian Carp 101
Funding Available for Canadian Bird Research and Conservation
RBC-Evergreen Watershed Champions Award
Events
Webinar: Report from the Commissioner of Environment and Sustainable Development
Four London Community Grants Open
Ontario Environmental Bill of Rights Workshop: A Toolkit for Change
All About Bees
85 Years of Ontario Nature
Winter Activities on the Grand
Lambton County Woodlot Owners Association Annual Meeting and Information Day
Apply Now for the 2016 Young Ornithologists’ Workshop
Impact! Developing Youth Sustainability Leaders
Lots to Do in Lambton County!
Upcoming Birding Course: Beyond Backyard Birding!
Why is Carolinian Canada Coalition Unique? Click here to find out. The Carolinian Canada Coalition connects people who care about nature in southwestern Ontario. Together our members give strong voice to a green future and a healthy landscape. Visit this link to support our work.
Carolinian Canada Coalition News Network: Connecting Our Community
Reach people across southwestern Ontario. If your event or announcement promotes the protection and restoration of our natural heritage in Carolinian Canada, we'd love to hear about it.
Carolinian Canada Coalition Board of Directors
Read more about the Coalition and our board here
Don Pearson (Chair)
Caroline Biribauer (Vice-Chair)
Mark Helm (Secretary)
Chris Turner (Treasurer)
Dawn Bazely
Kristen Bernard
Ron Wu-Winter
Brian Craig
Audrey Heagy
Paul General
Alistair MacKenzie
Jessica Kakevicius
Owen Williams
Josh Wise
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