September 2013
"Take a Hike!"
 
Become a Member Today!
Rest assured, I am not telling you to go away. It’s just a way of letting you know that a walk in the woods (or prairie, or meadow) is one perfect way to enjoy autumn.
This is a time when the days get shorter . . . and a lot busier. Everybody is back from their holidays, and it’s time to get things done. It is easy to let the days go by in a blur.
Here at Carolinian Canada we have been thinking a lot about trails: how they provide a link to nature, how they create a sense of place, and how they encourage us to think about our role in nature.
Many Carolinian trails include helpful signs that show us points of interest, but even unsigned trails have a story to tell. Look up. Look down. Look all around. Slow down on a trail - what at first seems a sea of green is infinitely more fantastic. (Hint: If you have trouble walking slowly, go with a small child. He or she will help hone your powers of observation).
Our nearby trails have what it takes to give us a breather - nature is always inviting us to look closely and listen. So take a time out, enjoy the autumn colours and listen to the rustle of the leaves or the call of geese as they fly by.
Where do you hike? Have you visited the Rotary EcoTrail? Made it to any of the 38 Signature Sites? We are sharing some of our favourites on our Get Outside webpage, but we want to know yours as well. Do tell!
Thanks to the support of Ontario Trillium Foundation, Parks Canada, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment Canada and a host of other partners for supporting our programs to "Green the Future of southwestern Ontario".
Happy Trails,
Bronwen Buck – Social Marketing and Outreach
woodland@carolinian.org
REGISTER NOW
2013 Ecosystem Recovery Forum
TRACKING THE BIG PICTURE: ECOLOGICAL CHANGE IN CAROLINIAN CANADA
November 5th, 2013, Royal Botanical Gardens, Burlington, ON
Click Here to Register
Registration for the Ecosystem Recovery Forum is open! You can now enjoy the entire event on November 5th! Registration for the evening of November 5th is separate - see our event page for details.
Carolinian Canada and Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG) are partnering to bring you the 2013 Ecosystem Recovery Forum, with the theme of monitoring ecological change across the Carolinian life zone. We will ask where do all the data go, and how are they best used to rebuild healthy ecosystems?
November 5th brings together conservation practitioners from across the Carolinian zone and beyond to share monitoring successes and challenges, and gain knowledge and inspiration from each other's accomplishments. The Forum will end with a public event in the evening featuring keynote speaker John Riley (Senior Science Advisor, the Nature Conservancy of Canada) who will present on his new book, "The Once and Future Great Lakes Country: An Ecological History" in the RBG auditorium. Join us for this great event!
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Our Roadshow Hits the Trail
Join us at the Hike Ontario Summit
Oct 19th
Watch www.carolinian.org for more information.
Are you curious about nature in Carolinian Canada? Do you want to learn more about how we are see trails as a means of fostering stewardship? Check us out at the Hike Ontario Summit on Oct. 19th. The London meeting also has workshops on using social media, geocaching and adventure hiking.
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Whither dost thou wander?
We want to know . . . and share!
Tell Us Today!
Click Here to Tell Us Your Story!
Beautiful fall colours abound! Partners Hike Ontario and Carolinian Canada want to know your favourite places to see them. Where to you like to go? What do you like to see? Let us know and we will feature your favourite place to hike, walk, bike or paddle on our website and Facebook page. Sites featured must be publicly accessible. We look forward to hearing from you!
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Rotary Ecotrail, Chatham
Trail Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
September 21
Watch www.carolinian.org for updates.
The Rotary EcoTrail is officially open. On Sept 21st, around 50 people came to the ribbon cutting and tour hosted by the Rotary Club and Municipality. And we were there! Carolinian Canada is working closely with these partners to develop interpretive signs. EcoTrails are designed to invite visitors to learn and engage. On this trail, they will learn by playing games, monitoring the forest and sharing what they see. Key “take home” messages on the signs will equip trail users to help nature where they live, work and play. To visit, access the trail through the parks at 114 Thornhill Crescent or 223 Oxley Drive.
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Save. Steward. Seed
Click here to join, or renew your membership with the Coalition.
Your support helps save species, steward ecosystems and seed habitats in the Carolinian Life Zone. Together we are a strong community.
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Carolinian Canada in the News
Carolinian Canada Coalition protects species-at-risk
The Wallaceburg Courier Press
Feature News
Nominate Your Tree!
until mid-October, Niagara
Click here to learn more about the project and download a nomination form
Climate Action Niagara is calling for nominations to recognize outstanding examples of rare species, the biggest and oldest native species, the very few Indian Marker Trees, and historically, culturally, and socially significant trees in the Niagara Region. It's Niagara's Great Heritage Tree Hunt! The hunt will also include trees of community significance including favourite children's climbing trees and Niagara's very own shoe trees. Climate Action Will be accepting nominations from now until Mid-October.
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Members Notice Board
Announcements
Niagara to GTA Corridor Planning and Environmental Assessment Available for Comment
Until November 4, Niagara, Hamilton and Halton
Niagara to Greater Toronto Area Study Team
Click Here to Learn More
The public are invited to review the final multi-modal Transportation Development Strategy for the Niagara to GTA (NGTA) Corridor Planning and Environmental Assessment Study. The study is available online, as well as in main branch libraries/municipal offices in Niagara, Hamilton and Halton.
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Manage Your Sightings with MyAvibase
August, Online
Bird Studies Canada
Click Here to Learn More
A new tool for birdwatchers and eBird users, MyAvibase, has just been launched. MyAvibase allows birdwatchers to maintain their life-lists and generate additional reports. For example, using maps and graphs, users can quickly see how many species can be found in a given region and at various times of year. eBird users can easily import their life-lists into Avibase, then view how many new species they could potentially add on a trip (aiding birding trip planning), and generate custom printable checklists highlighting target species.
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6 Million Trees
September, Essex Region
Essex Region Conservation Authority
Click Here to Read More About These and Other Stories from the ERCA
Congratulations to the Essex Region Conservation Authority on this momentous achievement! The ERCA celebrated planting their 6 millionth tree since being established in 1973 on National Tree Day. Recently, more than 50 members of the Chrysler Canada/Local Unifor 444 Joint Workplace Environment Committee and their families worked together, in partnership with the ERCA, to plant trees in their City neighbourhood. In total, approximately 45 Red cedar trees were planted along Cadillac Street, adjacent to the Chrysler Plant.
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Zombie Walk Dance Party!
October, Niagara
Heartland Forest
Click Here to Learn More
There are lots of fun things happening this fall at Heartland Forest. Come out for the exciting Zombie Walk and Dance Party, don't miss Pumpkin Fest, and in November get your friends together for the Girls Night Out charity auction.
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Turkey Point Gets a Natural Makeover
September, Turkey Point
Long Point Basin Land Trust
Click Here to Learn More
Over the past few months, the Land Trust has completed habitat restoration work on 30 acres (12 ha.) of the new Turkey Point reserve, bringing back a mix of habitat types including oak savanna, Carolinian forest, and grasslands in addition to creating three small wetlands.
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Environmental Groups Sue Ontario Government Over Species at Risk Legislation
September, Ontario
Ontario Nature
Click Here to Learn More
After exhausting all other avenues, Ontario Nature, with Ecojustice and Wildlands League, are pursuing legal action against the provincial government for unlawfully enacting regulations which undermine Ontario's Endangered Species Act (ESA).
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Falling for Ontario Photo Contest
by October 22, Online
Ontario Nature
email: noahc@ontarionature.org
Do you like taking photos of wild spaces and species in Ontario? Then you should enter Ontario Nature's Falling for Ontario photo contest! Send in your 3 best shots of autumn in Ontario by October 22, 2013 to be entered in the contest. Ontario Nature's Facebook followers will choose the winners by liking their favourite photos. Each like will count as one vote. The photographers of the 2 most liked photos will receive a free Ontario Nature membership and ON Nature magazine subscription for 2014. If you're up for the challenge, send an email with your photos and a one-line description.
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RBCEvergreen Watershed Champions Award
by April 18, 2014, Canada
RBC and Evergreen
Click Here to Learn More
Evergreen's Watershed Champions program is designed to inspire and equip elementary and intermediate classes across Canada to learn more about their local watershed. You can apply now for the award in your region.
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Events
Resilience - The Ability to Adapt to Change
November 20-22, Alliston
A.D. Latornell Conservation Symposium
Click Here to Learn More and Register
The Early Bird Deadline to register for this year's exciting Latornell Symposium ends October 7th at midnight. The three day conference features 49 concurrent sessions, over 50 exhibits, and exciting keynote speakers including former ISS commander Chris Hadfield.
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Learn How To Not Get Lost In The Woods
October 12, Laurel Creek Conservation Area
Grand River Conservation Authority
Click Here to Learn More
Learn how to use a gps to find clues hidden around the Conservation Area. Solve the puzzle to win a prize! Come out to this and other events around the Grand River this fall. Don't miss the Halloween Treasure Hunt and more!
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A Community Mapping Event
October 18, Fonthill
Association for Canadian Educational Resources
RSVP at can.info@cogeco.net
Learn about biodiversity risks and the opportunities to address them. Join community partners to use scaled, local maps to examine, locate and share the natural areas where we, as a community are vulnerable to climate change impacts. This event is taking place at St. Johns Outdoor Education Centre, 2984 Holland Rd. RR#1, Fonthill, Ontario, L0S 1E0 on Friday October 18th, 2013.
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Power-to-Gas for Large Scale Energy Storage
October 24, Sarnia
Bluewatter Sustainability Initiative
Click Here to Learn More
As the capacity of wind turbines and solar PV becomes a larger part of Ontarios generation mix the need for energy storage increases to accommodate these clean and intermittent sources of power.
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From The Great Lakes to the World of Bats
October - November, Lambton
Lambton Wildlife Incorporated
Click Here to Learn More
Don't miss Lambton wildlife's exciting fall program, both indoors and out! Karen Alexander from Lake Huron Centre for Coastal Conservation presents the natural history of Lake Huron this month, and Dr. Brock Fenton exposes the world of bats in November. Also, don't miss the Fungal Foray this Saturday at Bickford Oak Woods. Next month, visit the St. Clair Important Bird Area for a birding tour.
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Annual Fall Speaker Series - Bryan Gilvesy
November 6, London
Thames Talbot Land Trust
Click Here to Learn More
Come out and enjoy the Annual Fall Speaker Series at the London Public Library Central Branch this November. Bryan Gilvesy is a graduate of the Richard Ivey School of Business at Western University and is an advocate of creative sustainable farming and harnessing nature's benefits in food production. Bryan is the lead for Eastern Canada of ALUS (Alternative Lands Use Services) and Co-Chair of the Sustain Ontario Steering Committee (The Alliance for Better Food and Farming).
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Fostering Sustainable Behaviour, Fostering Urban Forests
November 15, Toronto
Ontario Urban Forest Council
Click Here to Learn More
"How do we change community behaviours for the better on an individual basis that is actionable and sustainable? This conference marks the 50th Anniversary of the Ontario Urban Forest Council. Featured is Dr. Doug McKenzie-Mohr, who has been working on incorporating the science of behavior change into the design of community programs. Registration is open, so secure your spot today!
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Leading Edge 2013
October 24, Milton
Niagara Escarpment Commission
Click Here to Learn More
2013 marks a milestone anniversary year for the Niagara Escarpment program with the 40th anniversary of the Niagara Escarpment Planning and Development Act. At this 9th installment of Leading Edge, the conference will highlight the Niagara Escarpment program's successes over the past 40 years and consider how best to plan and adapt for the future.
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Experience Fall Migration at the Tip of Long Point
August 25 to October 25, Long Point
Ministry of Natural Resources
For more information, or to book your adventure, email lpbo@birdscanada.org
Are you interested in experiencing fall migration at the Tip of Long Point, in southern Ontario? Long Point Bird Observatory is making their private cabin available for guests to rent between August 25 and October 25 (for minimum five-day stays). The private and rustic cabin is nestled in the dunes of Long Point, overlooking the Tip. The cabin sleeps up to six and has basic amenities. Your only neighbours will be the birds (and a handful of researchers, housed in a separate building).
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In this Month's News
Register Now - 2013 Ecosystem Recovery Forum
Join us at the Hike Ontario Summit
Whither dost thou wander?
Trail Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Carolinian Canada in the News
Click Here for the Latest Stories
Feature News
Nominate Your Tree!
Member Announcements
Here
Niagara to GTA Corridor Planning and Environmental Assessment Available for Comment
Manage Your Sightings with MyAvibase
6 Million Trees
Zombie Walk Dance Party!
Turkey Point Gets a Natural Makeover
Environmental Groups Sue Ontario Government Over Species at Risk Legislation
Falling for Ontario Photo Contest
RBCEvergreen Watershed Champions Award
Member Events
Here
Resilience - The Ability to Adapt to Change
Learn How To Not Get Lost In The Woods
A Community Mapping Event
Power-to-Gas for Large Scale Energy Storage
From The Great Lakes to the World of Bats
Annual Fall Speaker Series - Bryan Gilvesy
Fostering Sustainable Behaviour, Fostering Urban Forests
Leading Edge 2013
Experience Fall Migration at the Tip of Long Point
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)
Ron Wu-Winter (Vice-Chair)
Mark Helm (Secretary-Treasurer)
Caroline Biribauer
Tara Borwick
Brian Craig
Wendy Cridland
Douglas Desmond
Marc Dupuis-Desormeaux
Mary Elder
Carla Grant
Audrey Heagy
Alistair MacKenzie
John Urquhart
Owen Williams
Jim Oliver
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