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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