R Jeff introduced our guest Kristen Osborne.
 
Kristen Osborne has been a naturalist at Presqu’ile Provincial Park for 9 summers. She spends her summers creating and presenting programs for the visitors from guided hikes, to drop-in tables and evening programs. She also spent most of those years as the Nature Centre Coordinator where she would oversee the care of the animals and share with visitors all about the natural history of Presqu’ile. She is now the acting Chief Park Naturalist and oversees the Discovery program at Presqu’ile. Kristen has a degree in Wildlife Biology from the University of Guelph and a degree in Education from Lakehead University. She loves to share her knowledge and passion about the natural world with those around her.
Kristen Osborne | A/ Chief Park Naturalist | Presqu’ile – Ontario Parks
 
 
 
Kristen shared with us some of the invasive species at Presquile and their efforts to control them.
 
She started by a brief description of 'invasive Species'. Invasive species can be a plant, insect, pathogen, animals / birds or fish. They were introduced or brought here, and they cause harm either economic or social.
 
For example, dandelions were introduced, but other that eye sore to some, are not 'invasive and cause harm.
 
However, the dog strangling vine is 'invasive' as it will take over and choke out other species.
 
Presquile has a lot of invasive species due to its history as farm land. Farm land was disturbed with native species removed. Invasive species love disturbed areas. It gives them a chance to establish. Many invasive species were brought over from Europe for a purpose, such as European Buckthorn as hedge rows or Phragmites (common reed) for erosion control.
 
Another problem in the park was the abundance of white tail deer several decades ago. They would eat all the native ground cover and shoots which in turn left room for the invasive species to thrive and multiply.
 
The high traffic volume in the park by visitors also helped to bring in species.
 
The park has a very high population of Ash trees and the Ash borer is present. Parks staff are trying to destroy trees infected but there is such a high number of trees. There is also some trials occurring to produce wasps that have a preference for the ash borer  beatle.
 
A major problem with the invasive species is the extreme difficulty in removing them. Very labour intensive and must be repeated year over year. If not done right or repeatedly, the efforts can make the problem worse.
 
How we can help:
 
Learn about invasive species.
Volunteer.
Stop the spread.
 
Check out web sites for; 'Invasive Species Centre' or 'Ontario Invasive Plant Council'.
 
We can check out Friends of Presquile and watch for volunteer events once they are allow to hold events again.
 
Garden responsibly.
Stay on trails.
Check gear and pets.
Don't move species.
Report sightings - ' iNaturalist'
 
R Jeff thanked Kristen for her presentation and proceeded to provide some history of the lands.