Area News, Spring 2009

Kukagami Environment Watch Area News

http://kewatch.blogspot.com/ Spring 2009

“Darkness is as essential to our biological welfare, to our internal clockwork, as light itself.” -Verlyn Klinkenborg, “Our Vanishing Night,” National Geographic magazine, November 2008

April 20 is International Dark Sky Night

All over the world, the night of 20 April is dedicated to the appreciation of starlight and the promotion activities that showcase the breathtaking spectacle of the universe at night. Simply turn your eyes to the sky from your backyard. How lucky we are here at the lake to have such a spectacular view of the universe!

Click here for ideas on how to keep our dark sky.

ICE!

Kukagami is full of ice this spring. Chances are good that it will be May before we can all get out to enjoy the open water again.

Fish!

MNR has been working to monitor and improve the lake trout fisheries in the northeast (Zone 10). They have just released a brochure for public comment. Here’s the website. http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/LetsFish/2ColumnSubPage/264844.html

Kukagami is still considered to be vulnerable to over fishing, and so will remain closed in winter.

The brochures also discuss some reasons why the lake trout are not as plentiful as they used to be. This could include the introduction of other fish species into the lakes, such as small mouth bass, and especially rock bass.

Frogs!

There are more than just a few million spring peepers out there. Get to know the mating calls of all the frogs that live nearby. You can clearly hear the songs of eight or nine frogs, as well as the lovely toad, once you know what to listen for. Go to Frogwatch to learn about our local frogs, and hear samples of their songs.

Forests!

Once again, some areas on the west side of Kukagami are available for logging in the coming year. However, markets are poor, so Vermilion Forest Management (VFM) staff doesn’t know yet if these areas will be cut.

Also, the new Forest Management Plan is currently available for public review. The new plan will cover the years 2010 to 2020. Contact VFM at vfm@ontera.net for details. Or call 560-3636.

Spring Road Clean-up

The official spring road clean up will take place between April 24^th and May 3^rd. This allows two weekends so that it can fit into most folks’ schedules and allow you to pick a sunny day. This is also before the blackflies! 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 KEW@kukagami.infosathse.com.

Bring a friend – it’s a fine way to spend a spring day while at camp.

Spring Cleaning at Camp

Keep the three R’s in mind while doing your spring-cleaning this year…Reduce - Reuse - Recycle. If you find you have clothes, books, toys, or other small goods, take them in as a donation to the Salvation Army thrift store, the Jarrett Centre, or Value Village. (all in the Flour Mill area)

If you have usable construction materials, donate them to the RE-Store, on Frood Road. Also, plan on shopping at the RE-Store for hardware, paint, sinks, lamps, and lots more. Proceeds go to the local Habitat for Humanity.

Recreation and Education

Congratulations to the Kukagami Campers Association for securing a $14,000 grant from the city to enhance recreation and educational activities in our area! We look forward to activities coming to our neighbourhood soon!

If you know anyone who would like to receive the KEW newsletter, send his or her e-mail address to KEW@kukagami.infosathse.com. If you would like to be removed from the list, please reply to this address.