Minutes

Sarnia Urban Wildlife Committee

November 19,  2003

 

Attendance: Art Teasell,  David Smith, Dave Shortt, Bruce Strangway, Brenda Lorenz, Bruce Ballingall, Alan Welsh, Stan Robinson, Nikki May

Regrets: Terry DeMarco,

 

  1. Minutes from October reviewed.  Moved by Brenda, seconded by Dave Smith., passed
  2. Financial Status. David Sm.. No new transactions.  Still in good shape. 
  3. Dennis Rupert Prairie Reserve.                 Alan

Much discussion about burn and alternate costs.  Consultant is much cheaper.  Dorothy Tiedje submitted that burned area showed no positive results over unburned areas and that the scuffed areas were being overrun by weedy exotics.  Her recommendation is that we stop burning for awhile and do some monitoring to determine positive and negative effects of burning.  She also recommended spending money on getting help with cutting woody brush instead of burns. Motion was passed that we follow Dorothy¹s recommendation.

Alan will look into organizing some brush cutting.  Several people offered to help with this.  Nikki will organize some monitoring plots in the spring.

4.     Blackwell Road Wildlife Refuge.              

We would like to have notices put up about ŒNo motorized traffic¹, and ŒNo Trespassing¹.  We would like to have the gate modified so that only foot traffic can get in there.  Nikki to call Terry about the gate and the trailers on the property. [Done ­ TM said that he would go out there and look the situation over.]

  1. Perch Creek Wildlife Habitat.                                Bruce S.

Bruce would like some Wood Duck boxes for the pond.

  1. College Park. Bruce S. has cleaned it up and will be working on the signs and plaques for the plants. 
  2. Logan Pond.                                                               David Smith

There is no sign of the markers yet.  Dave Sm. will call Terry.    Terry M. has said that he will write a letter to homeowners about the markers. There is more work to do on slope before closing off access.  Kids are still going down there, but the plants are taking hold and it looks better.  Dave will be putting together an application to Shell for January for fencing.  Brenda and Dave Sh. will help. 

  1. Sandcherries                                                                         Stan

Stan and Art will get more cuttings in November.  There are only 400 seeds this year.  Stan has put 6 plants in at a private property at the Lake.

  1. New Business: Art is looking to put together a MasterPlan next year.  There is a chance that we might do some teaching in the schools with the help of the Ontario Forestry Association.  In December, Brenda will organize a visit to the Dow woods to determine environmental value.  Nikki will represent SUWC at the London conference on water November 20th.  Jennifer Baker, Southern Regional Coordinator for the FON will be providing more support for our group, and joining us for meetings occasionally.  She hopes to help us with fundraising and publicity.
  2. Ken James.  Art is still trying to set up a meeting with Ken James about James Pond.
  3. Next Meeting: January 20th, 2004.