Hart's-Tongue HeraldThe Newsletter of the Owen Sound Field Naturalists Spring 2010

Volume 23, Number 1

Box 401, Owen Sound, Ontario N4K 5P7 Editor: Lorraine Brown

Website: owensoundfieldnaturalists.ca

Ice and rock dwarf a lone hiker at the Grotto, Bruce Peninsula National Park in mid-February.(Willy Waterton)

- 2 -Butternut: A

disappearing treeRecently placed on the endangeredspecies list, butternut trees are in greatdanger of becoming extinct. Unlikemost other endangered species, thebutternut is not suffering due to a loss ofhabitat or human interference, but ratherbecause of a deadly fungal disease calledButternut Canker.

Although genetic immunity or resistanceto the disease has never been proven, asmall number of trees have been foundin the province that have not beeninfected with the disease or have thedisease but are vigorously survivingdespite it. These disease-resistant treeswill be the key to the butternut’s future.

The Grey County Forest StewardshipNetwork, Bruce Resource StewardshipNetwork, MNR and the Forest GeneConservation Association are workingtogether to try and locate and evaluatethe butternut trees of Bruce and GreyCounties. Our goal is to try to identifysome trees in the region that are eitherdisease-free or have the disease but arevigorously surviving in spite of it.Eventually we would like to collect seedfrom these trees to propagate seedlingsthat have the best chance of survival.

If you think you have butternut trees inyour woodlot in Grey County pleasecontact Grey County StewardshipCoordinator Jason Ritchie at 519-371-8468 or jason.ritchie@ontario.ca. If yourwoodlot is in Bruce County, contactBruce County Stewardship CoordinatorCraig Todd at 519-371-8465 orcraig.todd@ontario.ca. If you'd like tolearn more about the butternut tree, theButternut Canker and how you can helpplease consider attending our Butternutworkshop on April 13th 2010 (see noticeon this page) or visit http:// www.fgca.net.

Jason Ritchie,

Grey County Stewardship Coordinator

The Endangered Butternut Tree:

A FREE Workshop for landowners

If you think you have butternut trees on your property please considerattending this free workshop.

You'll learn about: The tree, the disease and how you can get involvedwith its recovery.

When: April 13th 2010 7 -8:30 PM

Where: Grey County Agricultural Services Centre

206 Toronto St. South, Markdale

Please pre-register with the Grey County Forest Stewardship Networkat 519-371-8468.

Peter Middleton took these three

photos of the famous butternut tree

in a small, doomed, woodlot in the

midst of big box stores on Hwy 26

on the east side of Owen Sound.

Left: healthy butternut bark

Bottom left: first signs of internal

infection - opening lesions

Bottom right: full blown lesion with

characteristc "weeping"

The tree is done for!

The pictures to the right are much betterin colour, as they are in the elecronicversion. If you would like to receive thenewsletter via e-mail rather than snailmail, please contact Lorraine, 372-0322or lorraine@apropos.ca

- 3 -Joe Johnson - OSFN's

newest honorary life

member

Joe Johnson is a naturalist who pursuesknowledge and the understanding ofnature for its own sake. In Nova Scotiahis mother nurtured his love of natureby taking him and his younger sister outfor walks in the nearby woods and up alocal escarpment-like mountain. Itwasn't until he took biology at AcadiaUniversity that Joe's knowledge ofplants finally exceeded that of hismother. Joe won a medal forbeing the top student in hisclass at graduation.

After graduation, Joe headedwest and worked in westernCanada, then at Long PointBird Observatory where heheard about the naturalist andbotanist's paradise that was theBruce Peninsula. He madeWiarton his home and workedmostly on contract for theMNR and as a Naturalist forCyprus Lake and InverhuronProvincial Parks and didstudies for the Grey SaubleConservation Authority.During this time, he embarkedon a remarkable career ofcommunity and professionalcontributions. Joe is now therecognized expert on thevascular flora of Grey-Bruce.

For OSFN, Joe has led naturehikes and worked with the PlantCommittee on five of OSFN's landmarkpublications including A Checklist ofVascular Plants For Bruce and GreyCounties, A Guide to the Orchids ofBruce and Grey Counties, The Asters,Goldenrod and Fleabanes of Grey andBruce Counties, A Guide to the Ferns ofGrey and Bruce Counties and Rare andEndangered Species of Grey and BruceCounties. See Publications on theOSFN website for more information.

Joe's community contributions areconsiderable. He has been involved in175 Christmas Bird Counts, which mustbe some sort of record for our area. Hislist of involvement in many nature

surveys goes on and on with Joe puttingin long-term commitment in manyactivities. For 16 years, he was thecompiler in 2 different sessions for theCBC in Wiarton, the Breeding BirdSurvey for the Bruce, and the ForestBird Monitoring Program. He spent 14years monitoring an Amphibian RoadCall Count, 12 years in the Red-shouldered Hawk and SpringWoodpecker Survey, Shorebird Survey- 11 years, Nocturnal Owl Survey -nineyears, Red-necked Grebe Survey -seven years, and a plant watch surveyfor blooming dates to keep track ofglobal warming for six years and at the

same time being a diligent participant inthe Ontario Nesting Record Scheme.Some of Joe's accomplishments aremeasured in areas covered as well asyears. He has been involved in twoOntario Breeding Bird Atlases covering13 squares where thetypical involvementwas one or twosquares. He has done10 squares for theOntario Tree Atlas. Asquare is usuallydefined as an area 10 X 10 km.

In his professionallife, Joe has made

major contributions, which hopefullywill have an effect on the way theProvince of Ontario treats nature. Hedid numerous and very intensive lifescience reports for MNR that included20 ANSIs (Areas of Natural ScientificInterest) plus two other ANSIequivalents for MacGregor PointProvincial Park and Oliphant plus manyenvironmental impact assessments.However, Joe's finest achievement wascompiling a major report on the vascularflora of Grey-Bruce. This MNR reportwas divided into 3 regions emphasizinglocally and provincially rare species andis remarkable for both its completeness

and vastness,and fordisplaying Joe'sexpertise.

Joe's future hashim returning toNova Scotia assoon as hefinishes hisbook on theVascular Florafor the BrucePeninsulaoutlining status,distribution,habitats andblooming dates.Joe is truly oneof the great allroundnaturalistsfound in ourarea and aworthy recipient

of OSFN's highest award.

Fred Jazvac

Joe Johnson, left, receives an honorary life membership to OSFN from presidentFred Jazvac at the annual general meeting, March 11, 2010. (Lorraine Brown)

- 4 -

about 14 of us rendezvoused with Willyand Audrey at the Cyprus Lakecampground in Bruce National Park.Our challenge was to ski across CyprusLake taking a hiking trail out to theGeorgian Bay shoreline, then “drop” offour skis to continue on foot (really oncross-country ski boot feet) to LittleIndian Cove, then the rock bridge, andfinally to the Grotto.

As we were admiring the spectacular

winter beauty of Little Indian Cove,Victor Last, a retired teacher, wasinvited byWilly to talkabout therockformations.We learned

that dolostone is harder than limestonedue to a high percentage of dolomite.Differential erosion over time hasproduced the Niagara Escarpment becausedolostone is less soluble than limestone.“Angel-wing” ice formations wereadmired. Overhead, a bald eagle glidedon a thermal of air past us, eyeing the

edge of the ice for fish.

What was remarkable about our outing,was the pristine sunshine, the clear bluesky, the amazing aqua-marine shades ofblue in the water, and the breath-takingviews of the ice and snow blankets on theescarpment. Our day was so picture-perfect, that we could see FlowerpotIsland, Bear’s Rump Island, Otter Island,and even the southern tip of ManitoulinIsland. The sunshine warmed us as we sat on rockslabs protected from the wind, and ate ourlunches—a time to meet new people andmake new friends.

On the way back to Cyprus Lake, therewere some interesting turns in our skitrail. I for one wiped out! But no one washurt. Some chose to walk down one hill.Back on Cyprus Lake, we observed thetracks of an animal that were lateridentified by Willy as the tracks of afisher.

A couple of ice fishermen had auguredholes in the ice, which was about 16”thick. They were fishing for pickerel andperch.

If you ever have theopportunity toexplore the Bruce onskis during thewinter, try it! Ourday was an incredibleouting. Many thanksgo out to WillyWaterton and AudreyArmstrong for theirpreparations for ourouting, knowledge,pleasant company,and expert care!

Dian Woods

_______________Meeting and Field Trip ReportsOSFN Cross-Country

Outing to Bruce

National Park—Sunday,

February 28, 2010Winter skiing and hiking in February atfirst sounded like an adventure, and thensounded like a daunting challenge, but inthe end was an exhilarating experiencethanks to Willy Waterton and AudreyArmstrong! When I first contacted

Audrey about this outing, she asked,“Do you have rock skis?” Rock skis arewell-used skis that are like a comfy pairof track pants: you use them when youdon’t care if you traverse over dolostonerocks! I replied to Audrey, “Yep. Ihave just the pair.” And so began the adventure. A group of

OSFN members enjoy brilliant sunshine after a mostly gloomy February at the outingto the Bruce Peninsula National Park. (Willy Waterton)

- 5 -Your new executiveThis year, we are welcoming three newmembers to the OSFN executive.

Moving from vice-president to presidentis Peter Middleton. A retired principaland outdoor education teacher, Petertravelled the world leading birdingexcursions for Quest Nature Tours for a

few years, and has now settled back intolife in Owen Sound. He is currentlydrawing huge crowds with his Birds inOur Lives lecture series, part of theBluewater Association of LifelongLearning's program. We look forward toworking with him to make OSFN evenbetter than it is. Stewart Nutt is our new vice-president.

Stew runs his own company, SynergisticSolutions, which is devoted to theprofessional growth of individuals,teams, and organizations. But in ourarea he is probably better known as thecentral figure in the efforts to protect thePiping Plovers that arrived at SaubleBeach and Oliphant to nest in 2007 and2008. Thanks to Stew and the army of

volunteers he co-ordinated, thisendangered species is now a little furtheraway from the brink of extinction.

After several years of a stellar jobrunning the OSFN membership, JimAnsell is now stepping down, andhanding the reins over to Beth Anne

Currie. A farm girl from Bruce County,Beth Anne has a Masters inEnvironmental Science. She is an experton topics related to green and livingarchitecture and has played a significantrole in the formation of public policytowards implementing green roofs inurban areas throughout Ontario andCanada.

Dian Wood,after severalyears bringingus an excellentprogram bothindoors andout, is nowleaving us todo moretravelling andinternationalaid work withher church.We are veryhappy to haveAndy Koshancoming in asour newprogram co-ordinator.Andy teachesgrade 4 atDerby Schoolin Kilsyth,and enjoys

bringing nature into the classroom. Hegrew up in Wiarton and knows Grey andBruce very well. He is interested inlearning more about local flora, birds,and the Niagara Escarpment.

Fred Jazvac moves into the past-president position after two veryproductive years. Fred's major legacy isa new, greatly improved website.Visitowensoundfieldnaturalists.ca often,to find out what's new, hear of changesto OSFN programs, learn about rare birdsightings in the area, and lots of othergood information relating to nature.

Lorraine Brown

OSFN BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2010President: Peter Middleton, 376-3242, peter.middleton@sympatico.caVice-President: Stewart Nutt, 797-5490, saubleplover@gmail.comPast-President: Fred Jazvac, 797-3332, jazvacfb@bmts.comSecretary: Lynne Richardson 599-3618, lynne.richardson@ontario.ca Treasurer: Marg Gaviller 371-5149 mgaviller@bmts.comMembership: Beth Anne Currie, 376-7237, bethannecurrie@sympatico.caProgram: Andy Koshan, 372-9480, akoshan@yahoo.caEditor: Lorraine Brown, 372-0322 lorraine@apropos.caPublicity: Jim Duncan, 376-4616. j_jduncan@yahoo.caAdvertising: Judy Duncan, 76-4616. j_jduncan@yahoo.caHospitality: Anne & Stan Cathrae 371-2853 cathrae735@sympatico.caJr. Naturalists: Elaine van den Kieboom, 371-1989, ekieboom@queensbush.ca &GSC (Krista McKee) 376-3076

Rhubarb Leaf InsecticideSteep 6 rhubarb leaves in 5 pints ofboiling water. Strain when cool and spray on to plants sufferingfromaphids, Black Spot and otherfungus diseases. (from Joan Crowe)

OSFN’s new executive, from left to right: Andrew Koshan, Jim Duncan, Judy Duncan, Anne Cathrae, MargGaviller, Lynne Richardson, Lorraine Brown, Jim Ansell (outgoing membership chair), Beth anne Currie, FredJazvac, Stewart Nutt, Peter Middleton. (Photo by Jan Middleton)

- 6 -There are also protocols to identify 10kilometre square blocks and one-kilometre-square blocks. (The normalmethod that NHIC uses to publiclyreport locations of rare species is theone-kilometre-square block. The Atlasof Breeding Birds of Ontario uses the 10kilometre square block)

The Canadian Topographic Maps areoverlaid with a one-kilometre-squaregrid. If you look at the Owen SoundCanadian Topographic Map (41 A/10),you will see that it lies entirely withinNK (in the notes along the bottom).

To find the one-kilometre-square thatcontains my front door, go to line 08along the bottom and then up to line 33

(17 T 508758 E 4933657 N). Actuallythis is just a point on the map and isactually the southwest corner of the one-kilometre-squarewithin which myfront door islocated. My frontdoor is 758 metreseast and 657metres north ofthis point (17 T 508758 E4933657 N).

Searching the

Where am I? Where is

it?Locating, mapping, and monitoring floraand fauna can be greatly simplified usingGPS. GPS is in regular use byorganizations such as the NHIC(National Heritage Information Centre -Ontario) and the Atlas of the BreedingBirds of Ontario.

GPS stands for global positioningsystem. Satellites send information to asmall hand held receiver called a GPS ora GPS unit. The GPS unit interprets thisinformation and is able to tell you whereyou are located - anywhere on earth.

The purpose of this article to suggesthow use of GPS can be simplifiedfor use in Grey and Bruce.

Let's first look at a GPS readouttaken at my front door. 17 T508758 E 4933657 N. Basically the numbers mean thatmy front door is 4,933, 657 metresnorth of the equator and 8,758metres east of Longitude 81degrees West.

However just for use in Grey andBruce we do not need all of thisinformation.

In fact, Grey and Bruce falls withinparts of five 100 kilometre squareblocks. The blocks are named ML,MK, MJ, NK, and NJ.Their general locations andabbreviated readings are as follows:

ML the top of the Bruce 4***** 50*****MK mid Bruce4***** 49*****MJ south Bruce4***** 48*****NK north Grey5***** 49*****NJ south Grey5***** 48*****

For example, anywhere in Grey andBruce where your first GPS numberstarts with 4 and your second numberstarts with 50 you know you are in zoneML and so on. My front door lies withinNK (17 T 508758 E 4933657 N).

NHIC site, I find that in the one-kilometre-square within which my frontdoor resides, the following provinciallyrare species have been reported:o Hart's-tongue Ferno Northern Long-eared Bato Ocellated Darnero three mosseso Jefferson X Blue-spotted Salamander.

Part of the Bruce Trail Boyd Propertylies within this square. (We could call it08NK33.) Anyone who has visited thisproperty will understand why this squarehas had relatively more reports of rarespecies.

If you would like to learn more aboutGPS please visit my website and follow

the “GPS” link. Also please feel freeto send questions or comments tobill.mosesos@gmail.com.

Bill Moses

Welcome New

Members

GOLDSMITH, Marian and Ken

VICKERY, Karen /

PICKERING,Betty Anne

ROBINSON, Judy

HOPPS, Hillary

BAKER, Donna & John

ROWLAND, John

STONEMAN, Irene

- 7 -Interested in

Astronomy?The Bruce County Astronomical Societyhas started up a program of public nightsky viewing at Grey Roots on Saturdaynights.

All dates are Saturdays. Participantsshould arrive at dusk and dress suitably,including footwear, for cool nighttemperatures and dew. Also, flashlightscovered with red plastic help to walkaround once the sky is totally dark. Ifthe sky is clouded over, the event iscancelled.For 2010 these events will take place on:

April 17May 8June 5July 3Aug 7Sept 11Oct 2

Joan SkeltonBCAS Outreach Chairmanphone: 376-9554e-mail: andromeda@gto.net

Spring Roadside Clean-

up - Volunteers NeededJoan O'Reilly has kindly agreed to takeover the organization of our bi-annualroadside cleanup along Highway 6through the Malcolm Kirk ProvincialNature Reserve (the Long Swamp).

The clean-up will take place on SaturdayApril 10 with a rain date of SaturdayApril 17. Bring your own gloves. Allother equipment will be provided. If youwould like to help out, please call Joanat 519-370-2177 or e-mail her atashwood@bmts.com.

The Great Backyard

Bird CountEvery year, for 4 days in February,people all over North America count allthe birds they can see, and report theirfindings to Bird Studies in Canada, andto the Cornell Laboratory ofOrnithology in the US.

As a long time participant in ProjectFeederwatch, I decided to take part inthis second bird-counting program thiswinter. It wasn't much different from aFeederwatch, but it was nice to knowthat people were doing the same thingall over the US and Canada during thosefour days.

This year, the Northern Cardinal was themost-reported bird across the U.S. andCanada, as it has been for the previousfive years. In Canada alone, the Black-capped Chickadee tops the list. TheAmerican Crow is higher on the list ofmost-reported birds (number 3 rightnow) than it has been since the WestNile virus appeared in North America

and took such a toll on this species.

Another American Robin roost toppingone million birds has taken up residencenear Saint Petersburg, Florida, pushingthe city (and the state) to number onefor reporting the most robins so far.

Next year, perhaps OSFN canparticipate as a club. We can get asmany members as possible participating,and let the media know that we're doingthis.

Monarchs: A hard

winter in MexicoIn December 2009, the World WildlifeFund Mexico issued a report concerningthe number and sizes of the monarchoverwintering colonies. The report is

very concerning.

The total area occupiedby Monarchs inDecember was 1.92hectares and only 7colonies were found.This is an all time low.The numbers this wintermay be lower than anyyear since the

overwintering colonies became know toscience in 1975. Cold weather inMexico was responsible for the losses.Experts were hoping that normal winterconditions would prevail for the rest ofthe winter.

2010 Grassland Bird

Survey - Volunteers

Needed!Wildlife Preservation Canada is seekingkeen birders to volunteer for the 2010Grassland Bird Survey (GBS) andwould like to invite your participation!This survey is a joint effort betweenWildlife Preservation Canada, BirdStudies Canada and the CanadianWildlife Service. The main goal of theproject is to locate Loggerhead Shrikeand incidentally, a suite of grasslandbird species in Ontario mainly onhabitat that has been previouslyidentified through associated recoveryactivities.

Grassland birds have demonstratedmore significant and widespreadpopulation declines than any othergroup of North American birds. Givenits need for large areas of suitablehabitat, the Loggerhead Shrike serves asa flagship species for grassland birds ingeneral. The GBS will focus on short-grassland habitats in these key areas: theCarden, Napanee and Smiths Fallslimestone plains, the area aroundPembroke/Renfrew, Grey and BruceCounties and on Manitoulin Island. Thesurvey will provide important data on avariety of grassland bird speciescurrently undergoing serious populationdeclines, with special emphasis on theEastern Loggerhead Shrike. Datagathered on Shrikes will be used toassist field staff with carrying outrecovery activities (e.g. accurate broad-scale population counts) and datagathered on other species will provideinformation on the abundance,distribution and diversity of grasslandbirds in these key areas. If you areinterested in participating in this projectand would like to receive a volunteerkit, please contact the GBS Coordinatorat Wildlife Preservation Canada byphone at 519-836-9314 or 1-800-956-6608 (toll free) or through email atgbs@wildlifepreservation.ca.

Sunday, March 28, 2010

HULLET MARSHES:

WATERFOWL IN SPRING

with Peter Middleton

Celebrate the return of spring as

migrating waterfowl feed and rest onthe waters of these superb interiorwetlands south of Wingham, for an all-day outing. Bring lunch, waterprooffootwear, field optics.

Meet: 8:00 a.m. - parking lot ofFoodland 10th St. W., Owen Sound tocar pool. Limit: 20 participantsPlease contact Peter at 519-376-3242 orpeter.middleton@sympatico.ca

Sunday, April 11, 2010, at

dusk

SONGS OF SPRING…

FROGGIES AND

WOODCOCKS IN LOVEwith Lorraine BrownLimit: 20 people. We'll visit the woodsof Hibou Conservation Area at dusk tolisten to spring amphibians, and watchthe courtship flight of the AmericanWoodcock.

Please register with Lorraine at 519-372-0322 or lorraine@apropos.ca

- 8 -

The Spring Program

Sunday, April 19, April 26,

May 3, May 10, May 17, May

24, 2010

NATURE HIKES with Dave

Fidler and others @ 6:00

p.m.Come join Dave and other leadingbirders for nature hikes on Dave'swooded property called Fidler's Green.No registration is required-just show up!

Directions to Fidler's Green from OwenSound: Turn right at Jackson on Hwy21. Go one block north and turn left atthe “T” junction. Go one block west andturn right on Old School Road. Fidler'sGreen is about 1 km on your left.

Indoor ProgramThursday,

April 8, 2010

BIRDWATCHER'S

STEW!

with Fred Jazvac Join Fred for an overview of themany ingredients that make up arecipe for more successful birdwatching.

Indoor Program

Thursday, May 13,

2010

PLANTS OF THE

BRUCE PENINSULA -

WHERE NORTH

MEETS SOUTH AND

EAST MEETS WEST

with Joan Crowe The Bruce Peninsula is in a uniqueposition in Ontario, close enough tothe north to harbour species commonin the Boreal Forest and close enoughto the south for more Carolinianspecies to move in. Its complexgeological history has created avariety of habitats and past climateshave established species commoner further west. Since theearly days of European colonization ithas been a mecca for botanists,especially for orchids and ferns.

Saturday May 15, 2010

NATIVE WOODY PLANTS

with Bill Moses, 1 pm to 4

pm

This event will begin with a tour of theArboretum Nursery at Grey SaubleConservation headquarters. Theimportance of native trees and shrubs toour environment will be discussed.Following this there will be anopportunity to tour a few local propertiesto see how native trees, shrubs and vines

can be incorporated into the landscape.

Saturday, May 22, 2010

BIRD WATCHINGwith Alfred Raab.

Afred, a veteran OFO hike leader willtake us to areas in Wiarton, Sky Lake,Isaac Lake, Oliphant and North SaubleBeach searching for spring migrants.

Meet at Tim Horton's at 8:00 AM inHepworth. The tour will last about 4hours. Limit - 15 people. Please contactFred Jazvac at 519.797.3332 orjazvacfb@bmts.com.

- 9 -Saturday, July 3, 2010 (rain

date of July 4, 2010)

NABA BUTTERFLY

COUNTat MacGregor Point

Provincial Park.This is like a Christmas bird count forbutterflies. Please join us for thisenjoyable event. Experts will guide usthrough the procedures. You don’t haveto be an expert. For more info:http://friendsofmacgregor.org

************************

Young Nats ReportThe Young Naturalists have been busy!In January, we enjoyed our annualsnowshoe at Bognor Marsh ManagementArea and participated in gamesfacilitated by our new volunteer, Amber.Our parent volunteers assisted Krista inbuilding a fire so that we could all enjoyhot chocolate and bannock. (SpecialThanks to Elaine for providing the sticks

to cook our bannock.) Februaryprovided excellent weather forsnowshoeing and buildingquinzees.

Congratulations to AmyBlackwell, the lucky winner toexperience Camp Kawartha'sNature Camp in September!!!Upcoming Events - special guestVerle Barfoot, building toadhouses with Kate MacLaren andriverbank cleanup.

Krista McKee

Community Relations

Coordinator

Grey Sauble Conservation

Indoor ProgramThursday, June 10, 2010

AT 6:00 p.m.

ANNUAL POTLUCK

DINNERat St. Andrew’s

Presbyterian Church,865 2nd Ave. W, Owen Sound (near

the Library). Bring your own plates &cutlery.

POLAR BEARS IN

ONTARIO with Alistair MacKenzie

Join Alistair MacKenzie, NaturalHeritage Education and ResourceManagement Supervisor for PineryProvincial Park and travel to theHudson Bay Lowlands to visitOntario's northernmost Provincial

Park, the land of the Polar Bear.

Saturday, June 12, 2010

ORCHID TRIP TO

FLOWERPOT ISLANDwith Scott Currie Bruce National Park naturalist,Scott Currie, will lead us on atour of the orchids of Flowerpot.According to Scott, the 'showystuff' is at Dorcas Bay, but the'rare stuff' is at Flowerpot. We'llcar pool up to Tobermory andtake the Blue Heron II over toFlowerpot. Cost per person willbe in the range of $35 to $40. Ifweather prevents us from gettingto the island, we'll focus onDorcas Bay instead. Limit of 20people. This is a popular outingso register early.

Please contact Dian Wood atsaublebeach@hotmail.com or519.422.1514.

The Young Nats snowshoed at the Bognor Marsh Management Area on January 31st. Theadults started a fire so that the Young Nats were able to cook bannock and have hot chocolate!(Susan Thompson)

Bird Studies Canada hasrecently released a new toolwithin eBird Canada thatshows locations of all recentsightings of interest acrossCanada. To get the tool, go tohttp://ebird.ca/sightings.jsp.

- 10 -News from Ontario

NatureBy declaring 2010 the InternationalYear of Biodiversity, the United Nationschallenged us to do our part to chart anew course for protecting our naturalheritage. With this in mind, OntarioNature is excited to announce therelease of our Green Way Forwardreport, which examines provincialpolicies aimed at natural heritageprotection in southern Ontario relatingto biodiversity, planning, aggregateextraction, environmental assessment,and land use.

This comprehensive report is amilestone in our campaign to protectOntario's rich diversity of plant andanimal life; it puts forward our visionfor policy reform to support a Greenwayof interconnected natural areas acrosssouthern and eastern Ontario.

Why is a Greenway important? AGreenway will conserve sensitiveecosystems, protect waterways, improveair and soil quality, protect and restorenatural areas for wildlife and species atrisk, enhance human health and well-being and, critically, enable wildlife toadapt to the anticipated impacts ofclimate change.

In the Green Way Forward, OntarioNature presents 24 recommendationsthat address the problems underlyingcurrent provincial policies aimed atnatural heritage protection. According tothe report, Ontario can no longer afford,either economically or ecologically, touse a piecemeal approach to naturalheritage protection. As the province'shuman population grows, and thelikelihood of negative impacts fromclimate change increases, we needcourageous and forward thinkinginitiatives like the Greenway to

safeguard the biodiversity of southernand eastern Ontario.

Chromite Mine in Boreal

OntarioIn July 2008, Premier Dalton McGuintysaid, “Although the Northern Boreal hasremained virtually undisturbed since theretreat of the glaciers, change isinevitably coming to these lands. Weneed to prepare for development andplan for it. It's our responsibility asglobal citizens to get this right, and toact now.”

Now, U.S. iron-ore giant CliffsResources, together with CanadaChrome, plan to develop a $1.5 billionchromite mining operation in the Ring ofFire, which will make this the largestchromite mine in the world - chromite isused to make stainless steel.

We want to keep you informed aboutthis extremely important issue. Lastmonth, Ontario Nature staff met withMichael Gravelle, Minister of NorthernDevelopment, Mines and Forestry andalso with his senior policy advisors. Weappreciate that the Minister took the timeto talk to us about the Ring of Fire, anapproximately 20,000-hectare area in theJames Bay Lowlands where more than8,000 mining claims have now beenmade.

Local people report that the explorationcamps are littered with garbage anddozens of fuel tanks have disappearedinto the surrounding bogs.

The James Bay Lowlands are a wildlifesanctuary, home to many at-risk speciessuch as lake sturgeon, bald eagles, short-eared owls and woodland caribou. Thenorthern boreal is now the primaryhabitat for many species that have beenpushed out of more southern regions

because of industry -logging, mining andhydro development.The boreal ecoregion isalso a huge carbonstorehouse. Uncheckeddevelopment herewould destroy wildlifehabitat, contaminatenearby lakes, rivers andsoil, and damage a

globally-significant carbon bank.

What we have learned so far:Neither the Ministry of NorthernDevelopment, Mines and Forestry northe Ministry of Natural Resources hasoverseen or coordinated any planning forthe mining activity in the Ring of Fire.Exploration activities have been allowedto proceed before the government andpartner groups can determine whichparts of the boreal region will beprotected and before plans forsustainable and equitable projects can beformulated.

First Nations communities mounted ablockade in January on two airstripsused by mining companies in protest ofthe exploration activities on traditionallands.

At least one lake in the area, McFauld'sLake, has been contaminated frommining companies dumping raw sewage,grey water, fuel and chemicals into thewater.

Why has the Province allowed miningcompanies unfettered access to pristinehabitat that is supposed to be part of alarger region considered for protection?

On your behalf and on behalf ofOntario's wild species and wild spaces,we will continue to monitor the situationin the Far North. We are determined thatthe provincial government protect thenorthern boreal as promised.Sustainability and conservation, notlarge-scale industrial projects withoutmeaningful oversight, must guide landuse in the James Bay Lowlands.

We will continue to speak up for nature.

Newer OSFN members may

not know...Our club is one of many federated clubsof Ontario Nature - formerly theFederation of Ontario Naturalists. Henceour inclusion of their news.

ON holds regular regional meetings.The next meeting takes place inSouthampton on April 10. If you areinterested in attending, please contactOSFN’s president, Peter Middleton.

- 11 -

OSFN VOLUNTEERS

MEMBERS WORKING ON BEHALF OF OUR CLUBAdopt -a-Highway Committee - Joan O'Reilly (2009 -) Auditor - Karen Saliwonchyk (2007-9)Baillie Birdathoners - Judy Duncan Ontario Nature Rep - Glenda Clarke GSCA Arboretum Alliance - Merle GunbyGrey County Forest Stewardship Network - Dave TaylorHart's Tongue Herald Mailing - Monica StarrJunior Naturalists - Krista McKee (GSC), Elaine Van den Kieboom Nominating Committee - Lorraine Brown, Dian Wood, Monica StarrPlant Committee - Joan Crowe, Orris Hull, Ellen Hull, Bob Gray, Torbin Hawkesbridge (& various others have assisted with the seven books)Rankin Resource Management Committee - Jamie FayShallow Lake Advisory Committee - Freeman BoydWebsite Committee -Fred Jazvac, Lorraine Brown

Please Support

our Sponsors!

We’d like to thank the followingcompanies for advertising in the Hart’s-Tongue Herald, and helping to offsetour printing costs.

Please show OSFN’s support (andmention it) when you do business with:

Foto ArtDown a Country Lane B&BJoanne Veerman, Royal LePageBayshore Country FeedsSuntrail OutfittersAround the Sound Local Food MarketChatsworth HoneyGinger Press BookstoreW.D. Keeling Printers Ltd.Grey-Bruce Woody Plants

A Good News StoryRon Reid and Janet Grand, who live in Washago and are members of the Orillia FieldNaturalists, are currently doing a big birding year to raise funds to buy the Wolf RunAlvar, part of the Carden Alvar in Victoria County. This limestone plain has becomea major target area for the quarry industry. As environmental regulations havetightened on the Niagara Escarpment and Oak Ridges Moraine, areas such as Cardenare new priorities for the industry. At the same time, the Carden Plain is a top-rankednatural area that should be set aside and preserved. Ron and Janet have been workinghard to see every bird they can, with pledges totalling about $50 per bird.

Recently, a major new funding opportunity has opened up for them. Someone wholives in their area won $1 million on a hospital mega-lottery. These people havedecided to donate a substantial portion of their winnings to Ron and Janet’s efforts.But rather than simply hand over cash, they have issued a challenge. They will match,dollar for dollar, every new pledge that Ron and Janet get. Those donations, in turn,are matched by a federal acquisition grant. So the returns are good. If you would like

to help Ronand Janetprotect WolfRun Alvar,contact them atbobolink.reid@mail.com.

Lorraine

Brown

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The Spring 2010 Program at a GlanceIndoor Programs

All indoor meetings will take place in the auditorium of the Owen Sound and North Grey Union Public Library at 7:00 pm. Following a social time and announcements, the speaker of the evening will present at 7:30, followed by club business, sightings and reports.

Thursday, April 8 BIRDWATCHER'S STEW!

Thursday, May 13 PLANTS OF THE BRUCE PENINSULA

Thursday, June 10, ANNUAL POTLCUK DINNER AND TALK: POLAR BEARS IN ONTARIO

Outdoor ProgramsThe outdoor program of the Owen Sound Field Naturalists is designed to help members discover new areas, add to their knowledge of natural history, or just to enjoy a "stroll in the woods" with like-minded people. Note that each trip has its own specific time and meeting place. Registration is required for most outings. Please call the contact person indicated about a week before the outing.

Saturday, April 11 SONGS OF SPRING… FROGGIES AND WOODCOCKS IN LOVE

Monday, April 19 & 26, May 3, 10, 17, & 24 NATURE HIKES with Dave Fidler and others, 6:00 p.m.

Saturday, May 15 NATIVE WOODY PLANTS

Saturday, May 22 BIRD WATCHING

Saturday, June 12 ORCHID TRIP TO FLOWERPOT ISLAND

Saturday, July 3 (rain date July 4) NABA BUTTERFLY COUNT

Membership Application and Renewal Form

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Owen Sound Field Naturalists, P.O. Box 401, Owen Sound, ON N4K 5P7

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