Ali Giroux’s Time for Nature

Paying it Forward

I believe I am guilty of a few things. I’m guilty of being a full-fledged nature nerd and another of equating an inventory day to recess at school. You know what I mean? Bursting through the doors and having 15 minutes of freedom, fresh air and a break from the desk. Except my recess lasted 6 days!

I had decided to spend a few days with the Kawartha Heritage Conservancy (KHC), a charitable land trust in Peterborough with a mission to conserve the natural and cultural heritage and distinctive landscapes of the Kawartha bioregion. I had first heard of KHC from a friend of mine who volunteers with them. I knew they ran field days to some of their properties so I jumped on the boat, or in this case a canoe! This would fulfill two checks on my long list of to do’s: to meet new folks in the area with the same passion for nature and check out what central Ontario has to offer.

Tuesday consisted of exploring a large property in the Kawarthas that has a long natural shoreline. Ian Attridge (Senior Project Manager at KHC) and I spend the day touring the expansive area and collectively we recorded 126 plants (77% of which are native). It was a fantastic day with some equally great wildlife sightings.

Wednesday presented a heat wave! Ian and I met up with Mike Hendren (Executive Director at KHC), Martin Parker (President of the Peterborough Field Naturalists) and Matthew Tobey (a 15 year-old birding prodigy!) and headed to the Cowan property on Stoney Lake. The KHC has a conservation easement on this property and we hiked the extensive trail system, ran into a charismatic juvenile snapping turtle and took a much needed cool down in Stoney Lake. All in all we recorded 92 plants, 30 bird species, 5 butterflies, 1 mammal and 2 herpetofauna. Good fun! I’m extremely appreciative to the KHC for having me out and to Martin and Matthew for their patience in answering my confused, ‘what bird is that again’ looks.

Thursday I finished the final survey of my marsh monitoring route along Jackson Creek in Peterborough. This is my second year as a volunteer. My boyfriend, Bobby and new puppy Kodachrome (we like Paul Simon!) came with me-which was a big highlight for me. We saw a Green Heron and heard a Virginia Rail. Success!! And Bobby saw my reaction to cool sightings. A trait I only share with colleagues.

The week ended with a canoe trip in Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park with friends. We paddled in for 5 hours and arrived at a beautiful campsite on Rathbun Lake. It was Kodachrome’s second time in a canoe. She’s a veteran now and adjusted very well! I went to bed listening to loons and whip-poor wills, with a full belly of campfire food and a heart and soul full of thanks to Mother Nature!