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| April 2004 | Volume 8, #1 |
First Phase of the Pond Construction is Complete
If you have had a chance to visit the marsh in the last few months you will notice that a new pond has been constructed adjacent to Cooper Drive. This pond construction was funded by a portion of the grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation. Ecological Outlook Consulting, a consulting firm based in Schomberg, was retained to design the pond and it was constructed by Gord Sloan. We are very excited about this new pond as it will provide deep water refuge for aquatic animals, contributing to the habitat diversity of the Marsh. We have already seen ducks and geese using it. Thanks goes to Pam Fulford (the DM co-ordinator at the Township) and Catherine Purcell of the Parks and Recreation Department for overseeing this work.
Planting Day
Please come out and join us on May 1st at 10 am for a volunteer planting day. We will be planting trees, shrubs and herbaceous vegetation adjacent to Cooper Drive and around the site of the new pond, and are looking for approximately 30 adult volunteers to help. You'll need your gloves, a shovel and a pair of leak-free rubber boots. The activity will take about two hours, and refreshments will be served. Children are welcome but must be closely supervised as we will be working along a road way and right beside open water. This is a great opportunity for high-school students to get credit for a few volunteer hours. To confirm your attendance call Pam Fulford at (905) 833-5321 or Mary Asselstine at (905) 939-7544. Hope to see you there.
Frog Monitoring
Springs Peepers are beginning to call in pond areas south of Schomberg and a few hearty chorus frogs have been heard in the Dufferin Marsh. It won't be long before the whole raucous chorus of frogs from the Dufferin Marsh is filling the night air. On April 19, Mrs. Hawke's grade 6 class from Schomberg Public School will begin listening, identifying and counting the frogs. With the help of several volunteers from the Dufferin Marsh Committee this activity will continue every week through to the end of May. Mrs. Hawke's class is very excited about the opportunity to collect real data that they can compare and analyse. It is an opportunity for these young people to develop an intimate understanding of the wetland. They will also be assisting in the on-going monitoring of the health of the wetland, which will be used to make long term management decisions. For more information on this program call Pam Fulford at (905) 833-5321.
Other Education and Monitoring Activities
There are several other monitoring and education activities that will be going on in the Marsh this spring and summer. Pam Fulford will be taking Mr. Trow's grade three class from Schomberg Public School on an adventure to study wetland plants as part of the science curriculum. In conjunction with the development of our education programs the Dufferin Marsh Collaborative is raising money to construct a look-out platform, a teaching/storage area and an information kiosk/community bulletin board.
We will also be initiating programs to study water quality and quantity, document vegetation communities, establish bird, reptile, salamander and mammal populations, identify invasive plant species, identify wildlife habitats and document the impact of people on the health of the wetland. There are lots of opportunities to be involved in these programs, either on a short term or long term basis. Talk to Pam at (905) 833-5321.
Clean Up Day
In conjunction with the Township-wide clean up day on April 24, we will be out in the Marsh and along Dr. Kay and Cooper Drives in the morning pulling out the debris of winter. Please gather at the pumping station on Dr. Kay Drive at 9 am. After lunch we will be working with the Main St. Revitalisation Committee to extend the cleanup along Main St. Vinyl gloves and plastic bags will be provided. We recommend you bring work gloves and rubber boots. If you have any cardboard boxes to collect recyclables and returnables bring them along. Kids are welcome, and once again, Community Service Credits can be earned. Remember to bring a form from your school. See you there.
Volunteer Recognition Night
Of the Corporation of the Township of King
Cordially invite all volunteers to attend
The Annual Volunteer Recognition Night
to be held at
7:30 p.m. on Wednesday April 21st, 2004
at the
Cardinal Golf Club
2740 Highway # 9
Kettleby, Ontario
If you would like to attend on behalf of the Dufferin Marsh Committee call Mary at (905) 939-7544 before April 16.
People and Wildlife Conflicts
Where people and wildlife live side by side there are bound to be conflicts. Last Saturday I received a call from an upset citizen because a goose had apparently been hit by a car. I went to the Marsh to look for the goose but could not locate it. Education on how people and wild creatures can live side by side is critical if the inhabitants of the Marsh are to survive. This is an on-going project. In the mean-while if you discover an injured animal you can contact the Toronto Wildlife Centre (416) 631-0662 . This is an animal hospital that specialises in wild animals and is located near Shepherd and Keele on the old Downsview army base. They are an animal hospital only and do not do picks ups, so you must be prepared to capture and drive the animal down. In a few months time, there will be a new hospital opening up at the Kortright Centre. This will be much closer and easier to get to. If you see any animals that have been injured or are dead because of interactions with people please report this to Pam at (905) 833-5321.
Other Activities
Watch for notices on Spring/Summer activities:
Schomberg Fair
Wine Tasting
Trail Building
Nature/Bird Walks
Dufferin Marsh Website
Please check out our website. It contains our newsletters, information on upcoming events and background information on the Marsh. Please take a look at www.rockley.com/marsh.
DMC Executive
| Chair | Mary Asseltine | 905-939-7544 |
| Vice Chair | Eric Leon | 905-939-7809 |
| Membership Secretary/Treasurer | Jill Kelly | 905-939-2315 |
| Recording Secretary | Sheila Kelly | 905-939-2315 |
| Parks Committee Liaison | Linda Cholmondeley | 905-939-7079 |
| Youth Committee Chair | Vacant | |
| Social/Activity Committee | Leah Werry | 905-939-2238 |