I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in tune once more.
John Burroughs
early summer morning on the lake photo by Mary Waddell
Chiniguchi Park in Review
In July 1999, Ontario's Living Legacy announced that Kukagami and surrounding lakes would be protected areas. No more logging, no new prospecting, no new land sales, no new dams. Essentially, being included within the protection of Ontario's Living Legacy has ensured that our lakes and 200 metres of forest around us will not be changed by industrial development!
Most of the waterways north of us were regulated as the Chiniguchi Park in 2005. Regulation does not change anything for those of us who hunt, fish, ATV, snowmobile, canoe and hike in the area. Currently, there is no fee for overnight camping in the protected areas. Although there are camping fees in the Temagami Area Parks, there are no plans to extend these fees into the Chiniguchi Park.
One good reason not to charge camping fees in the regulated part of Chiniguchi Park is that this would increase camping pressure in the areas that are not yet regulated, which includes Wolf Lake, the south end of Matagamasi Lake, and Kukagami Lake.
Sometime this year, there may be a proposal to remove all protection from the Wolf Lake area, and the southern part of Matagamasi where active mining claims still exist. As well, there may be a proposal to regulate Kukagami Lake as a Conservation Reserve, instead of the original intention to include Kukagami in the Chiniguchi Waterway Park. KEW will send out a special newsletter when these proposals are opened for comment.
Lakeshore Clean-up
KEW once again will work with the TD Canada Trust Great Canadian Shoreline Clean-up project. For the last two years, we concentrated on an old dumpsite on a point across from Lion's Head narrows. We took out two boatloads of garbage. This year, we will begin clean-ups at the mid lake dumpsite. Let us know you are interested by dropping a note to KEW@kukagami.infosathse.com
All though the summer, we ask all our Kukagami neighbours to take a few minutes to pick up stuff you find while boating along our beautiful shoreline.
The Great Canadian Shoreline Clean-up project welcomes opportunities to add more lakes to its roster. Anyone with a strong interest in restoring any lakeshore to its natural beauty is encouraged to contact them at www.vanaqua.org/cleanup. You can go to this site to see a list of lakes that already have organized clean-up dates, as well as to register new lakes.
Thunder Boxes
A thunder box is a great thing to find. Tucked back into the woods, down a narrow little trail, and often with a great view, Thunder Boxes are placed near campsites for the toiletry convenience of the campers. These boxes are placed far enough away from water to eliminate human waste contamination of our waterways.
Several of these boxes were built at a local high school and donated to KEW this summer. We are looking for suggestions for which campsites on our local lakes are getting heavy camper use, and volunteers to place the boxes. Tell us where! We'll get a box there!
Summer is Here!
The sun rises early in the morning, and sets late in the evening. We hardly even need to turn the lights on at all! The International Year of Astronomy 2009 is a global effort (UNESCO) to help the citizens of the world rediscover their place in the Universe through the day- and night-time sky, and thereby engage a personal sense of wonder and discovery.
Here's some information from the International Darksky Association
Need that Light to Feel Safe at Night?
Real Safety vs. Perceived Safety: The 175-watt dusk-to-dawn security light may give the illusion of safety, because it's so bright, but it is really counterproductive to good vision. The criminal can hide in the glare or in the deep shadows near such poor lighting. (Look around near one. See the deep shadows next to the overlit areas? It is hard for the eye to adapt to such sharp transitions.) Light used for security should be of such a nature that the owner can see better.
So what to do? Here are two suggestions:
1. Use a low wattage light source, in a good (well shielded) fixture.
The fixture should control the light output so that it goes only where needed, not into a neighbour's yard or windows, or up into the sky.
2. Use an infrared sensor spotlight fixture. The spotlights only come on when the sensor sees movement. Any intruder will be scared off by the sudden turn-on of the spotlights. You are alerted by the light coming on, and your neighbours are more likely to notice, too.
Click here for the full article on how to keep our dark sky.
NEW Feature: Blog from the Bog
Since is the first blog from the bog –we'll start with some actual bog news.
The word from the Temagami people is that there are a lot more bears this year – doesn't sound good at all. I have seen 5 already – one a baby cub . Something else of interest I heard from someone at MNR is that the city of Sudbury no longer bans the use of firearms in the city (Mind you this is all hearsay but it might be worth checking into.)
A friend of mine was talking with some of them "Tarauna" (Toronto) folks. The one lady had done many trips up in this area and started all her trips at " meta ma gassey" (Matagamasi). He tried to correct her pronunciation whereupon she announced she knew what she was talking about as she had been tripping there for years! Go figure.
Too hot to work too hard – will have to float around in the lake for a while – which I am very good at.
All for now,
The Swamp Rat
Website and Newsletter
The KEW newsletter is published monthly, and sent by email to any interested person. Paper copies can be provided to residents upon request. Drop a note to Kukagami Environment Watch, 432 Fox Road, Wahnapitae, ON, P0M 3C0. The Website is updated randomly through the month – so check for new information and photos! Submit photos and news items to our email – listed below.
Kukagami Neighbours Share Their Spirit
Honouring Roy Pella at 41st House of Kin Sports Celebrity Dinner
A group of Kukagami neighbours enjoyed an evening with the Pella family to honour Roy Pella who was posthumously inducted into the 2009 Sudbury Sports hall of Fame.
As a young man, Roy gained world recognition as an athlete.
At the 1952 Olympic trials, Roy shattered the Canadian record with a discus
toss of 157 feet 3.25 inches. At the 1952 Olympic Games in Helsinki, Finland, Roy placed 14th.
In 1954, at the British Empire Games, Roy set another Canadian record with a toss of 162 feet 6 inches. At the Commonwealth games of the same year, Roy became a silver medallist.
A few years later, Roy built his camp on Kukagami Lake set between his friends Roger DelBosco and Ed Kusnierczyk. With his wife Roma and their children Debby, Laurie, and Gordon, the renowned athlete found joy, contentment and lasting friends on our shores. During his years of battle with cancer, Roy found strength and peace, as he enjoyed the beauty and thrill of the changing seasons at Kukagami. His death in 1993 at 62, reminds each of us to enjoy each moment.
The evening with friends to acknowledge the achievements of Roy and so many of Sudbury's athletes was a testament to the heart of the House of Kin which welcomes patients and families who must leave their homes and travel long distances to get hospital care .The money raised at the dinner will help House of Kin remain a home away from home.
More Kukagami Neighbours Raise Money
Spring awakens the generous spirit of Sudburians; Kukagami neighbours get out to wholeheartedly support valuable events to raise money and ensure that research and advancements are made in the fight against
disease.
Kukagami Crusaders
The McDonalds gather their family and friends to raise money for the Muscular Sclerosis Society. The funds raised go to research, client care and equipment. In May, the walk for MS saw more than 20 Kukagami Crusaders carrying their banner as they joined in the yearly walk. After 11 years of working to raise awareness and money to find a cure, the McDonald family has lost none of its determination, its energy, and its fun loving spirit. They have walked, strolled, and scootered through sunshine, rain, sleet and snow. Their crusaders include friends and family from infants to 80 year olds, those who can join in the walk and those who work at organizing the unfolding of the day's events. It is no surprise that they have been Top Team in size and in pledges raised for all of the 11 years.
Their efforts would be in vain without the donations from so many in the community. In eleven years, the Crusaders have collected an impressive $49,513.00. Next spring, when you see announcements about The Walk
For MS, remember to drop in to McDonalds, view their awards and plaques, and leave a donation to encourage our own Kukagami Crusaders.
Kukagami Ladies' Lunch for Relay for Life
About ten years ago, a group of Kukagami ladies were invited to meet for lunch without the handsome men of the camps. There would be no talk about the number of fish caught, the biggest fish lost, the best time and place to catch more fish. This would be a time to share girl conversations, to giggle, to enjoy each others' company and eat some interesting food.
Of course, the women always ask, "What can I bring?" Four years ago, the answer was, "Bring a donation for Relay for Life." The women enjoy a pleasant few hours; always seem to meet one new Kukagami neighbour and they help raise money for The Retired Teachers' Relay for Life team.
Since we have many retired teachers living on our shores and we all have known the suffering and loss caused by cancer, donating money to find a cure seems a fitting cause.
"Life is mostly froth and bubble,
Two things stand like stone,
Kindness in another's trouble,
Courage in your own" Adam L Gordon
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