Oct 13, 2010
Oct 11, 2010
Kukagami Environment Watch Autumn News 2010
Kukagami Environment Watch Autumn 2010
Autumn, the year's last, loveliest smile.William Cullen Bryant
Summer in Review
We sure had a wonderful summer! Lots of sun and hardly any bugs. It doesn't get any better than this.
During some of those hot dry days of summer, three fires burned near our shores. We are very lucky there were only three, and that fires stayed small. Thanks to all the dedicated fire-fighting neighbours who effectively doused fires on the lake this summer!
There is a neat website kept by the MNR, where you can see all the fires that burned in Ontario this year. Go to the MNR website Fire Info. From that page, you can connect to a map of the current fires in Ontario. Zoom in to our area, click the box for "out fires'' then click on the balloon to get information about the specific fire.
Thanks to recent heavy rains, we are not likely to see any more forest fires this year!
Lake Level and Shoals
The water level in the lake has been lower than normal from that first week in April. Some boaters have discovered 'new' shoals. Late summer rains have helped to bring the lake level up...but we still have a long way to go to get back to normal.
Autumn Road Clean-up
The official fall road clean up will take place between October 2nd and 12th. This allows two weekends so that it can fit into most folks' schedules and allow you to pick a sunny day. Sign up to clean a one or two km section of the road! To register for your section of the road, drop a line here at kewatch@gmail.com.
Bring a friend – it's a fine way to spend a cool autumn day while at camp.
Mushroom Walk, October 3rd
Have you ever wondered if you can eat any of those mushrooms that are popping up everywhere after the rains? We'll take a walk through the woods on the afternoon of October 3rd to see what's up, and what's good to eat. Meet at Sportsman's Lodge at 2 pm on Sunday for a mushroom talk and walk. Dress for the weather! And bring along any mushroom books you may have lying around the camp.
Forests
The new Forest Management Plan is now available for public viewing. You can see the logging plans for all areas of Ontario. The new Sudbury Forest plan will cover the years 2010 to 2020. Not much is scheduled for our neck of the woods in the near future. Some interesting maps and logging information can be seen at the Vermillion Forest website.
Mining Exploration
With the high price of Gold, there is a renewed interest in mineral exploration nearby. True Claim is a company that has been working on several sites along Kukagami and Matagamasi Roads. Most of the work is centered in Scadding Township, with some clearing and drilling near the west side of Ashigami Lake, along Johnson Road, and to the west of the Matagamasi Road. Their website has not been updated recently, but you can get some background information there.
Kukagami Forest Reserve, as established in 1999, protects 200 metres around the lake and a larger area south of Klondike Bay from all logging and from new mining claims. A few older claims are still valid along the eastern shore of Klondike bay, but no new claims will be staked.
International Year of Biodiversity A year of celebration, action, and hope.
Take time to celebrate the unique and varied life that exists on our planet. Biodiversity refers to the variety of different species in our region. From the tiniest snowflea to the largest forest mammal, the moose, all species play a part in the health of our ecosystems.
As winter approaches, many of us will be setting out feeders and buying seed to share with the winter birds. Chickadees abound, bluejays and grey jays join the fray. And woodpeckers are a special treat to see.
The black backed woodpecker is dependent on finding bugs in dead trees to feed itself through the year. "Preferred habitats include coniferous forests in the boreal zone, especially where burned, logged, or swampy." From "www.Whatbird.com".
Many birds will use dead trees throughout the cold days of autumn and winter to sit on and soak up the sun. Keep your binoculars handy!
Remember that we too are an integral part if the biodiversity of our planet. We can preserve it, not only for ourselves and our future generations, but also for all other species with which we share this planet.
Website and Newsletter
The KEW newsletter is published quarterly, 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 currently under construction – watch for it!
If you know anyone who would like to receive the KEW newsletter, send his or her e-mail address to kewatch@gmail.com. If you would like to be removed from the list, please reply to this address.
Jun 23, 2010
Area News Summer 2010
Kukagami Environment Watch Area News
http://www.kewatch.blogspot.com/ Summer 2010
At The Water’s Edge
I step carefullyDownTo the water’s edge.
The scent Of pinesap hangsFreshIn the air.
I stare acrossThe glass lakeUntilA small Chilly breezeShatters itInto tiny pieces.
Then all Is silentAllIs still But,That peaceful Moan,That swoopsOver the lakeAnd straightIntoMy soul.
That loud,Hooting callOf the Loon.
This poem, and the one at the end of the newsletter were written by Livvy Hlywka (age 9)
for her grandfather, Ed Kusneirczyk.
painting by Ann Feifel http://www.annsnaturepaintings.ca/
International Year of Biodiversity A year of celebration, action, and hope.Take time to celebrate the unique and varied life that exists on our planet. Biodiversity refers to the variety of different species in our region. From the tiniest snowflea to the largest forest mammal, the moose, all species play a part in the health of our ecosystems. Wetlands are one of the most ecologically diverse ecosystems in the world. Kukagami is blessed with an abundance of these natural areas. They contain hundreds of species of plants, insects, mammals, fish, birds, reptiles and amphibians that together, create an intricate and complex food web. If one species is removed, the health of the entire ecosystem is jeopardized. Wetlands are important in retaining water, preventing flooding, and filtering pollutants out of our water.We as humans have to remember that we are an integral part if the biodiversity of our planet. We can preserve it, not only for ourselves and our future generations, but also for all other species with which we share this planet.Thanks to Ontario Nature for this excerpt.
Adopt-a-Road clean up is in its 6th year! We are getting to know the habits of the regular litterers, and are more than a little concerned about the number of beer cans, although it does provide a tiny gratuity for those who make the effort to clean the road. Take notice! There is no longer a fee to get rid of old tires! Tell everyone you know that they can drop off 4 tires at a time at most new tire stores, including Canadian Tire. Hopefully this Ontario initiative will reduce the number of tires being dumped in the bush.
Forests!
The new Forest Management Plan is now available for public viewing. The allocated areas closest to us are along both sides of McLaren Creek. As always there will be no logging within 200 meters of Kukagami because we are protected within the Forest Reserve since 1999. You can see the logging plans for all areas of Ontario. The new Sudbury Forest plan will cover the years 2010 to 2020. Some interesting maps and local logging information can be seen at the Vermillion Forest website.
Blog from the Bog…A new danger in the bush .. In the past few years, I have noticed that the highway signs for blueberries have revealed a new and terrifying threat. Blueberries have gone wild!!!!One can conjure up terrible images of Attila the Blueberry Hun riding on his Mongolian pony dragging unsuspecting pickers around by their 6-quart baskets. The Blueberry Bluebeard Pirate with a patch over one eye and a little twig peg leg has been reported to carrying off the women in a group. Small outlaw blueberry bands are pillaging the area – little children have been found sobbing in berry patches –their mouths and fingers stained blue. Guerrilla bands have reportedly taken over the Donald lake portage and are known to favour retirees. Perhaps the most dangerous group are the teenage blueberry gangs who are now infiltrating the area – they are easily recognisable with their blue dyed spiked hair and little iPods covering their ears and are often seen relaying picker whereabouts information to other gangs on their little blue i-phones.
Be careful when you go out. There are dangers hiding behind every blueberry bush!
We must join together and conquer these blueberries – it is best if we travel in at least groups of 3 or 4 with machetes, blueberry repellent, and use the eyes in the back of our head to be ever ready for a sneak attack (teachers have an advantage here).
Please report any sightings or encounters to the Blueberry Eradication Vigilante Association (BEVA) 853-BLUE
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Wild blueberries are very high in antioxidants (specifically, anthocyanidins, found in the skins). Called a superfruit for their exceptional antioxidant properties, they may play a role in slowing the effects of memory loss, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease.
Wild blueberries are also prized among bakers for their density and yield per pound; unlike cultivated blueberries, wild ones rarely explode during baking and hold their shape well.
History of blueberries http://www.wildblueberries.net/bluehistory.html
Night Sky
I stare upAt the vast, Black sky.
I see thoseMillions upon millions,Of stars,Shining,Going on,And on,And on.
I feel lonely,Small,Yet filledWith contentAnd happiness To beThis tinySpeck,In the Universe.
written by Livvy Hlywka (age 9)
Website and Newsletter
The KEW newsletter is published quarterly, 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 year – so check for new information and photos! Submit photos and news items to us via email KEWatch@gmail.com.
If you know anyone who would like to receive the KEW newsletter, send his or her e-mail address to KEWatch@gmail.com. If you would like to be removed from the list, please reply to this address.
Wild bears will eat nothing except the succulent, juicy blueberries when they are in season. It has been documented that they will travel with an empty stomach, from ten to fifteen miles per day to sniff out a blueberry patch.
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