R Steve introduced our guest speaker Mark Stubb. Mark was born in Quebec, but grew up in Windsor area. He now lives in Uxbridge with his family including two girls and dogs. He worked for MNR as a biologist and planner for about 10 years. He has been with the Nature Conservancy for 12 years.
Mark came to update us on the Brighton Wetland Project and the Nature Conservancy of Canada.
The Nature Conservancy has been in Ontario since 1962. It is a not for profit land trust. They don't focus just on wetlands, but all forms of natural environments. They work to acquire land, through purchase or donations. Sometimes through partnerships. They acquire lands to restore and preserve them in a natural state for habitats for rare and endangered species.
Mark described a few properties in Northumberland County such as Hazel Bird Nature Reserve in Hamilton Township. Also conserving and restoring the Rice Lake plains. There is also the Barr property in Alnwick Haldiman which is very small. All areas are open to the public, with trails and interpretive displays. They sometimes do prescribed burns to preserve areas such as savanas.
The Brighton Wetland Project will be a new wetland for Presqu'ile Bay. This area has a number of different habitats. Arnold Boes was involved by providing the Willenroth Woods as an ecological gift. Then a larger tract owned by St. Mary's Cement was acquired August 1 2018 with help from the Federal Government, partnering with other organizations such as Ducks Unlimited as well as donations from private individuals. This is about 231 acres along County Road 64 just west of the Brighton sewage treatment facilities. This is a provincially significant wetland with several species at risk. They have set up an endowment fund and are now in the planning process to determine how some lands will be rehabilitated and the property made available to the public. This site has great potential.
R Murray thanked Mark for his presentation.