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.
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