SPRINGWATER FOREST
Interpretive Signage:
The Friends of the Environment Foundation is funding a new
series of Interpretive Signs along the 8 kilometres of trails through the
Springwater Forest.
Environmental Education & Ecotourism:
The Rotary Club of Aylmer, the Ontario Trillium Foundation, and the Shell
Environmental Fund formed a
new community partnership with the Catfish Creek Conservation Authority to
implement the Springwater Forest Environmental Education and Ecotourism Project.
Successful trail development and restoration work on other trails in the Springwater Forest encouraged the CCCA to improve the Jaffa Trail, making it
more accessible and safer to hikers, students, birdwatchers, naturalists, and
seniors. Using a
combination of limestone screenings and wooden boardwalks, the CCCA has rebuilt
the existing trail to the point where ruts have been covered, spider trails have been closed, exposed roots have been
covered, and hazards in the trails such as fallen branches have been removed.
The Shell Environmental Fund played a key financial role in making this part
of the overall project a huge success.
YARMOUTH NATURAL HERITAGE AREA
Wetland Restoration:
The Catfish Creek Conservation Authority and Ducks Unlimited Canada
partnered to construct a 24 acre wetland complex at the YNHA.
The wetland has been named after one of Ducks Unlimited’s prime movers and a respected resident of the Town of Aylmer, Mr.
Herb Kebbel.
Dave West of DU Canada said that this particular site represents one of the
most significant wetland projects undertaken by DU Canada in this part of the
province. When completed, the project will provide enhanced wildlife diversity,
water conservation, and improved water quality for the area.
Butterfly Habitat & Tallgrass Prairie:
Three acres of the Yarmouth Natural Heritage Area were planted with Tallgrass
Prairie species to create scarce wildlife and butterfly habitat in Southern
Ontario. The site was treated with herbicide to control the growth of
noxious weeds, burned to create a suitable seedbed, and planted using a tractor
mounted seed drill and shovels.
Ninety percent of the site was drilled by staff from the Rural Lambton
Stewardship Network using 18 kilograms of grasses and forbes. The remaining 10
percent was hand planted with 500 wildflower plugs.
Cavity Nesting Construction:
The Ontario Turkey Federation is sponsoring three new trails through the 150
acres of the Yarmouth Natural Heritage Area in order to open up this place to
natural beauty to walkers, hikers and bird watchers. In addition, the Helen
McCrae Peacock Foundation is funding a project that will create nesting boxes
for ducks and songbirds at the YNHA. A highlight of the project will be a high
platform for the future nesting of the Bald Eagle. |