Ideologies and Ethics in the Uses and Abuses of SoundKoli, Finland, June 16-19, 2010

THE COMMODIFICATION OF AURAL SPACE:ISSUES OF SOUND AND SILENCE IN FRONTENAC PROVINCIAL PARK.

Kristi Allik and Robert MulderKristi A Allik allikk@queensu.ca

Robert C F Mulder robmulder@sympatico.ca

ABSTRACTOur focus is the area within the 5,214 ha. Frontenac Provincial Park which straddles the southern part of the Frontenac Axis situated on a southern arm of the Canadian Shield, north of Kingston, Canada. This semi-wilderness park features granite outcrops, vast wetlands and mixed forests, plants and wildlife. Trails wind through rugged terrain that contains lakes, portages, canoe routes, hiking trails, and campsites. The park was designated a Natural Area by Parks Ontario in 1974, a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1985, and a UNESCO Frontenac Arch Biosphere in 2007, because of its unique historical, geological and geographic features.Our key question is: what can be done to preserve the quality of the natural soundscape of this area? Currently, while there are regulations governing use of vehicles and boats, there are no specific laws governing the disturbance upon the natural soundscape, other than the making of "excessive noise" on wilderness campsites. There are no laws regulating noise near or beyond the boundary of the park. We are in the process of recording existing sound levels at various locations within Frontenac Provincial Park in order to determine the actual impact of human produced sounds on this acoustic landscape. Collected data includes multi-track ambient sound recordings of key categories (point-of-view recordings), hydrophone recordings in lakes and streams, sound level metering, GPS data, photographic images, and descriptive journaling. Our methodology includes "soundcanoeing" (we have experimented with a variety of paddles and paddling techniques, and are able to travel through the water with virtually no “self-generated sound”), soundwalking, and on-site stationary sound recording. By doing this, we hope to create a comprehensive and easily accessible data bank and archive in order to assist current environmental groups such as the Friends of Frontenac Park, as well as to raise public awareness of this issue in the Kingston region.

PREAMBLEAs artists and musicians we have been active in soundscape recording for many years, and have made a speciality of creating “Omniscapes”. In Canada we have worked in Baffin Island, Haida Gwaii, the Mackenzie Delta, Newfoundland, and Northern Labrador. We also have witnessed the soundscape of natural places in Hawai'i, Costa Rica, and Brazil. We are interested in observing the complexity found in biospheres, ecological preserves, natural areas, or wilderness reserves. Many of these areas, surrounded by urban din, have a mandate “to protect their natural and/or organic ecologies”. Yet—although this planned protection and subsequently well advertised “unspoiltness” is well intended—

often its extensive commodification results in alteration of the acoustic properties. Far too often have we encountered “sacred” places that were marred by intrusive sounds generated as an artifact of the tourist/entertainment activity. Recently we have started a new project near home (observing a 100 mile soundscape concept) about a geological formation called the Frontenac Axis. This rugged region extends from the Canadian Shield down to northern New York State. The Rideau Canal (built in 1832) intersects this area and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1985. The surrounding geological formation called the Frontenac Axis was granted UNESCO Frontenac Arch Biosphere status in 2007 because of its unique historical, geological and geographic features. Our focus is the central area within the 5,214 ha. Frontenac Provincial Park which straddles the southern part of the Frontenac Axis situated on a southern arm of the Canadian Shield north of Kingston. The official boundaries are the High Falls Road (near Verona) on the west, the Perth road on the east, Devil Lake on the north, and Wilmer in the south. This semi-wilderness park features granite outcrops, vast wetlands and mixed forests, plants and wildlife. Trails wind through rugged terrain that contains lakes, portages, canoe routes, hiking trails, and campsites. The park was designated a Natural Area area by Parks Ontario in 1974. We have (quietly) walked and paddled in Frontenac Park since 1989 and have observed its sublimity.

BRIEF HISTORYGeological HistoryFrontenac Park is located in the geological formation called the Grenville Province, near the northern end of the Frontenac Axis. Many of the geological features in the area around the park are more than a billion years old. About 1.5 billion years ago this area was covered by sea. Initially, the sediment compacted into beds of limestone, shale and sandstone; later, increased heat and pressure metamorphosed the sediments, thus producing gneiss, quartzite and marble. At about 1.1 billion years ago, increased pressure caused a mountain range to be formed; this range includes the formation of beautiful pink granite and pegmatite. By about 550 million years ago, erosion had levelled much of the region, and the land sunk below sea level; by 50 million years ago, the land was once again above sea level, for the most part. When the ice age began approximately 2 million years ago, further erosion occurred. About 12 thousand years ago, when the glaciers began to melt, a large glacial lake, Lake Iroquois, was formed in this region, which has since drained. Because of the numerous geological transformations, a series of fissures and rifts have formed in the park's region which make for interesting geological features; this includes the granite formation of Moulton Gorge.

HISTORYFirst NationsIt is known that First Nations did travel through this region and perhaps camped in the region. The extensive waterways became part of the travel routes for many Native people. In 1783 this region was supposedly relinquished by the Mississauga Nation to the British Government. The documents were signed on Carleton Island, near Kingston, with Captain William Crawford signing for the Crown. However, apparently only one chief of one band of the Mississauga Nation represented the First Nations. Thus, there are questions as to the validity of this purchase.

Loyalist SettlersThe British Government originally intended this area for the Loyalists of the United States, who had lost their land after the American Revolution. The settlers began arriving in 1784, and shortly afterwards, began farming the land that was awarded to them. The earlier families included the Kemps, Babcocks, Tetts, and Trousdales. Until the mid-20th century, this region supported subsistence farming, small scale mica and phosphate mining, and logging. Starting in the 1920's, the region also supported marginal tourism. In 1969, the Frontenac Provincial Park was created.

Frontenac Park HistoryFrontenac Provincial Park had its origins as a park reserve in the 1960s when planners and citizens recognized the need for outdoor recreational opportunities in southeastern Ontario and the wisdom of protecting large tracts of land in the Frontenac Axis lake country. A park planning study was initiated in 1973; this resulted in Frontenac’s regulation as a Natural Environment class park under the Provincial Parks Act in 1974, and approval of a Master Plan Report (now known as a management plan).Planning and management policies for provincial parks state that Natural Environment class parks corporates outstanding recreational landscapes with representative natural and historical features to provide high quality recreational and educational experiences. The Master Plan Report introduced Frontenac as a “Threshold Wilderness”, with the vision that the park would provide an alternative to developed, facility-intensive recreation, with opportunities for visitors to develop the skills, knowledge and behaviour necessary for personally rewarding and environmentally sensitive wilderness travel experiences. Since the Master Plan was created, park policy has evolved along with Ontario’s mission toward preserving and restoring healthy, functioning natural ecosystems.A management plan outlines management policies for an individual park relating to resource stewardship, development and operations. It states how individual parks will contribute to achieving the objectives of the provincial parks system, and sets out policies that will maintain or enhance that contribution over a 20-year period.

ACTIVITIES IN FRONTENAC PARKPermitted ActivitiesBecause Frontenac Provincial Park is designated as a semi-wilderness park, activities which are permitted or not permitted are clearly laid out. These are as follows:

• Fishing: Certain types of fishing is permitted: large and small mouthed bass, lake trout, brook trout, and northern pike.

• Boating: It is permissible to operate internal combustion powered motorboats on boundary lakes, including Buck Lake, Devil Lake, Birch Lake, Kingsford and Otter Lakes (boat motors are limited to 10 Horsepower). Electric motors are permitted on all internal lakes including Big Salmon Lake.

• Swimming: Is not organized, but there are small beaches within the park.• Cross Country Skiing (Winter): Cross country skiing and snowshoeing are allowed on the

trails; interior winter camping is allowed at designated campsites.• Back Country Camping: Back country camping is allowed at designated campsites. These

campsites are called "clusters", i.e., they are set up in groups or clusters, and include four tent pads and privy toilet; they are accessible by foot or canoe, and by snowshoes during the winter. Clusters are located at Buck Lake, Doe Lake, Big Salmon Lake, Little Salmon Lake, Birch Lake, Little Clear lake, Devil Lake, Kingsford Lake, Lynch Lake, and Big Clear Lake.

• Cars are allowed on all roads of the park. These include the main access roads leading to the Park Office and parking lot. The same road also provides access to the trail head and to the canoe launch at Big Salmon Lake from May to October.

Prohibited Activities:• Hunting.• All “off-road” activities. • Motorboats (except on boundary lakes), water-skiing, jet skis, and “tubes”• Chainsaws are not normally used inside the park except for special occasions such as annual

(seasonal) clean up at the park or in emergency situations, for example, removal of trees fallen during a storm.

THE SOUNDSCAPES OF FRONTENAC PROVINCIAL PARKExamples of Some Existing Natural Sounds Heard In the Park (Partial List):

• Ourselves: (Kristi Allik &, Robert Mulder) —walking on: trails, granite, or leaf-covered earth, snow and ice, paddling the lakes, portaging the canoe, carting all that gear.

• Birds: Blue Heron (Ardea herodias), American Robin (Turdus migratorius), Common Loon (Gravia immer), Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilocus colubris), Blue Jay (Cianocitta cristata), Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos), Red tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis), Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus), Osprey (Pandion haliaetus), Grey Owl (Strix nebulosa), Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo), Ruffled Grouse (Bonasa umbrellus), Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus), Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon, Great Horned Owl (Bubo virinianus ).

• Insects: Mosquito (Calista longiareolata), Blackfly (Simulium yaheuse), Dragonly (Amisoptera), Damselfly (Ischnura heterosticta), Deerfly (Chrysops callidus), Horsefly (Tabanus sulcifrons), Cicadas (Tibicen linnei), Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus), Grasshopper (Macrotona), Cricket (Grylho assimilis)

• Mammals: White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus), Black Bear (Ursus americanus), Fisher (Martes pennanti), Pine Marten (Martes americana), Mink (Mustela vison), Long-tailed Weasel (Mustela frenata), Raccoon (Procyon lotor), Eastern Cottontail Rabbit (Sylvilagus florianus), River Otter (Lutra canadensis), Coyote (Canis latrans), Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes), Easter Chipmunk (Tamias striatus), Red Squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus), Beaver (Castor canadensis), Tourists (Homo sapiens).

• Reptiles/Amphibians: moving through leaf litter: Common Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtals), Black Rat Snake (Elapha obsoleta) or in the water/breathing/sliding/slapping: Northern Water Snake (Nerodia sipedon)); turtles sliding the water: Map Turtle (Graptemys geographia), Painted Turtle (Chrysemis picta), Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina); frogs singing: Common Grey Tree Frog (Hyla versicolor), Wood Frog (Rana sylvatica), Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana), Green Frog (Rana clamitans), Leopard Frog (Rana pipiens), Spring Peeper (Hyla crucifer), Chorus Frog (Pseudacris triseriata), Mink Frog (Rana septentrionalis).

• Vegetation: the sound of the wind through the leaves and branches of the Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra L.) savannas, and through the needles of the White Pine (Pinus strobus) stands.

• The Elements: thunder and the falling of rain; the falling of snow; trees, branches, breaking of ice on lakes and streams; the sound of waves; streams and small waterfalls; the sound of leaky beaver dams; the wind in the trees through the branches, through needles of coniferous trees, and through leaves of the deciduous trees; tree branches rubbing.

Changes in Soundscape Over the Past Two hundred YearsOver the past 200 years, changes in the landscape, along with changes of flora and fauna, have occurred as a consequence of human settlement and industry in this region; for example, the Passenger Pigeon, large stands of climax White Pine, Eastern Cougar, Moose, Wolf, Raven, Bear, and Eagle are now lost, extirpated, or rare. Other species, such as certain mammals (e.g., Raccoon, Opossum), birds (e.g., Crow, Robin, House Sparrow) and plants (e.g., Purple Loosestrife, Dandelion), have either been introduced, and/or their numbers have increased since the pre-contact era. This, in turn, has affected the makeup of the overall soundscape; sounds such as the flight of the Passenger Pigeon, or the sound of introduced or increased bird species have altered the soundscape of Frontenac Provincial Park.

WHAT WE WANT TO DOOur key question is: what can be done to preserve the quality of the natural soundscape of this area? Currently, while there are regulations governing use of vehicles and boats, there are no specific laws

governing the disturbance of the natural soundscape, other than the making of "excessive noise" on wilderness campsites. There are no laws regulating noise near or beyond the boundary of the park, for example, planes flying overhead. We are in the process of recording various aspects of the soundscape and important features of this park. This consists of binaural and multi-track sound recordings of key categories (point-of-view recordings), sound pressure level readings, GPS readings, photography, and written (descriptive) data. Our methodology of investigating and recording the soundscape of the Frontenac Axis includes "soundcanoeing" (we have experimented with a variety of paddles and padding techniques, and are able to travel through the water with virtually no “self-generated sound”) as well as sound-walking. Frontenac Park faces the possibility of future threats to its welfare. One of the most serious is the possibility of uranium mining in this region. If this occurs, both the direct and indirect impact will cause significant changes to the park and its outlying regions. Further sonic degradation will be caused by heavy construction activity and low flying helicopters overhead to measure radon and magnetic variation levels.

METHODOLOGY OF RECORDING SOUNDSCAPE/OMNISCAPE IN FRONTENAC PARKWe will record the following data items:

• sound in multitrack format both static and dynamic.• sound levels.• image in navigational 3-D space.• barometric pressure.• temperature.• relative humidity.• descriptive journaling (subjective analysis of the weather etc).

In the near future we hope to record non-ionizing and ionizing radiation (subatomic particles or electromagnetic waves) around Frontenac Park.

MICROPHONESCrown PZM-30D Pressure Zone Microphones and Behringer C2 Studio Condenser Microphones (Four Microphone Setup). The PZMs will be used for long distance ambient recording; the C-2s will be used for more close directional recording.

• The Crown PZM-30D Pressure Zone microphones are designed for professional recording. They are ideal, in many ways, for soundscape recording. A miniature condenser microphone capsule is positioned very close to the sound-reflecting plate or “boundary”. The capsule is mounted in the "pressure zone" just above the boundary; sound coming directly from the sound source combines in phase with sound reflected off the boundary. The benefits are excellent clarity and "reach", a hemispherical polar pattern, uncoloured off-axis response, and a wide smooth frequency response free of phase interference. These microphones are suited for long distance, ambient recordings and flat rock faces can be used to enhance recorded spectrum.

• The Behringer C2 microphones feature a capsule with a cardioid pickup pattern. Microphones with this polar pattern are most sensitive to sound coming in front of the microphone, and also, to a lesser extent, from the sides. Sound coming from behind the microphone will be attenuated. Depending on the distance between the microphone and the sound source, a slight increase in the lower frequency range occurs. The shorter the distance the more pronounced the effect. Since the microphones are matched, they are particularly well suited for stereo and quadraphonic recordings, in closer proximity to the subject.

RECORDERSThe Edirol R-44 Four Channel Field Recorder

The R-44 is a four channel, solid-state field recorder that uses SDHC cards as the storage medium enabling quiet and reliable recording for a variety of professional audio needs. It can capture up to 4 channels of uncompressed audio with selectable bit depths (16-bit or 24-bit) and sampling frequencies (44.1kHz/48kHz/88.2kHz/96kHz/192kHz).

Panel Setup for the Boundary (PZM) Microphones for Stationary 3-D RecordingThe panel setup for the PZM microphones will be a four-way directional panel setup, allowing the microphones to face in all four directions. The panels will be set up on a tripod and the soundscape/acoustic landscape will be recorded from a stationary position.

Microphone "Helmet" for “Soundcanoes” or “Soundwalks” (Mobile Recordings):One of the more unique recording devices utilized is the "microphone helmet", created by Robert Mulder and Kristi Allik. The “microphone helmet" consists of an adapted bicycle helmet, modified to house four C-2 microphones. Each of the microphones faces a different direction, i.e., at 90° angles. The microphones are connected to the Edirol R-44 recorder, placed in a small backpack. The helmet is used to record sound simultaneously in four directions, when canoeing or during soundwalks. Thus, we hope to have a very accurate recording of the soundscape from any and all of these activities from the viewpoint of the observer.

Footwear and Clothing:Careful consideration is given to both clothing and footwear worn on the sound walks. The clothing, above all, is quiet, with minimal interference with the acoustic and physical landscape. The clothing is of muted colours, and of fabrics that are soft and acoustically unobtrusive; "loud" materials such as Gore-tex are avoided. The footwear is varied. We do use common footwear such as hiking boots and sneakers, especially in areas that are difficult to hike in. However, we also have (home made) special footwear that is especially quiet; these include hand made "moccasins" of soft deer hide, with no additional sole; this footwear makes virtually no sound when walking in the forest.

Sound Pressure Level Meter (Explanation)SPL Meter (Galaxy CM160) Readings:The Sound Pressure Level meter allows measurement of SPL (sound pressure levels) in decibels. The CM-160 has an internal hard drive, which records the SPL data and allows it to be transferred to a computer at a later time for analysis. Data can be recorded straight, or at specified intervals, and can be displayed either in numerical or graphic format.

Duration of Soundwalks and SoundcanoesThe soundwalks and soundcanoes are all of a relatively uniform length, of approximately two hours in total, split into episodes of approximately 15-20 minutes each, separating image and data recording from sound and sound data recording.

Three categories of sounds are recorded:Collision sound: A number of human fabricated sounds exist in Frontenac Provincial Park. These include the sound of boat and car/truck engines, chainsaws, snowmobiles and ATVs, airplane engines (both propeller and jet powered), and diesel powered generators. We have decided to label these as “collision sounds” since they have a tendency to “collide” or conflict with the generally much lower amplitude of the natural soundscape. Our recordings and analysis will pay particular attention to the collision sounds, especially in respect to the following questions: what are the specific acoustical properties of these collision sounds, and how can they be measured? What types and degree of impact do these sounds have on the existing natural soundscape? Currently, the collision sounds so far

recorded include car engines on the access roads within the park and at the park boundaries; motorboat engines at the park boundary lakes; chainsaws during the annual cleanup, as well as at the park boundaries (i.e., spillover noise from the privately owned properties). These sounds, even if outside the park perimeters, still have a significant acoustic impact within the park itself.

Continuous Sound and Bursts SoundBoth categories (Contiguous & Burst Sounds) indicate a unique type of sound that is to be found in Frontenac Park. Each category of sound recording focuses on a different type of sound. The continuous sound recordings focus on sounds such as birdsong, water sounds, wind blowing through pine or oak trees, and so on. The "bursts sound" would focus on sounds such as a car or boat motor starting up, muffler backfiring, a gunshot, a Harley Davidson passing in the far distance with illegal “pipes”, and so on. By recording and then analyzing these categories of sounds, a different perspective of the types of sounds in Frontenac Park will be created.

SOUNDWALK and SOUNDCANOE ROUTES:The majority of the soundwalks and soundcanoes are conducted at South Otter Lake, Doe Lake, and Big Salmon Lake, in Frontenac Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada.

Route Number One: South Otter Lake and Doe LakeWhy South Otter Lake and Doe Lake? South Otter Lake and Doe lake are suited to this study because both are easily accessible; this makes them ideal for the recording a pilot this year (i.e. this paper), during March and early April, when the rest of the Park is not accessible by foot or by canoe. Also, the South Otter Lake / Doe Lake trails have a number of points of acoustic interest which lend themselves to interesting sound recordings. Examples include putting a microphone in the hollow of a tree, or a PZM in the cleft of a rock.

Examples of Routes Taken At South Otter Lake and Doe Lake:The South Otter Lake/Doe Lake Trail is a loop which includes the North East side of South Otter Lake, as well as a portion of the West side of Doe Lake. As well, several beaver ponds and dams are included in the trail. Because a substantial portion of the trail is through wetlands, a lengthy boardwalk is included. The trail provides an excellent opportunity to hear and see diverse flora and fauna, to hear streams, wind through groves of oak and pine trees, and to monitor the sound of water through beaver dams. As well, this trail passes through many early settlement sites, including the abandoned Kemp mica mine. We have heard and seen otters here as late as November. This trail, for soundwalks and land recording only, is approximately three kilometres long.

Route Number Two: Big Salmon LakeWhy Big Salmon Lake? Big Salmon Lake is uniquely suitable for this study because it is located centrally in Frontenac Park and the Frontenac Axis Biosphere; it is completely inside and centrally located in the Park; it only allows small battery powered electric motorboats; thus, acoustically, it is reasonably isolated from external sound pollution; and it contains a good sampling of biological diversity typical of this park and this region. This also has acoustical ramifications.

Examples of Routes Taken in Big Salmon Lake:Each session will consist of a “single take” soundcanoe and possible soundwalk. The route begins at the Southwestern tip of Big Salmon Lake, starting with a soundcanoe along the southern shore of the lake. Key points of acoustical interest on this route include:

• a cliff face that rises vertically out of the lake with interesting sound reflective characteristics.• shore and littoral areas that are acoustically sensitive (such as near “wilderness” campsites).

• secluded areas in which much of the wildlife of the park resides. These areas include a cove at 44'32° latitude / 76'29° longitude which is the residence of many Eastern Map Turtles, Garter Snakes, several species of frogs (including Leopard Frogs, Wood Frogs, Gray Tree Frogs, Spring Peepers, and Bullfrogs), fish (for example, Brown Trout, Sticklebacks, Striped Bass, Bluegills, Sunfish, etc.), birds (Loons, Robins, Bluejays, Wood Sparrows, etc.) and mammals (Voles, Rabbits, Raccoons, Deer, Black Bear, Otter, etc.). These creatures have specific acoustic emissions and preferences, which may be affected by external noise pollution.

• The soundcanoe course then crosses Big Salmon Lake—due North—to enter a small inlet on the other shore. This is a relatively sheltered and pristine section of Big Salmon Lake. Here, the canoe may be temporarily abandoned for a soundwalk that takes us to an interior region of the park, about 1.5 kilometres away from the shore. This particular site includes a small stream with miniature rapids/waterfalls that is home to a number of fauna and flora species. This is a good area for an extensive sound recording, since it is located centrally in the park and away from all campsites and hiking trails.

DATA COLLECTED FROM FRONTENAC PROVINCIAL PARKRECORDING SESSION #1 (exploratory) Monday March 8, 2010 (Hiking)

• Time of hike: 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.• Route: The North Otter Lake/Arab Lake/Doe Lake trail.• Length: approximately 2 kilometres long.

The following natural sounds were heard/recorded on the hike:• red headed woodpecker (four times).• chickadees (two times).• possible deer (tree branches breaking) (two times).• wind through White pine trees.• wind through (still bare) deciduous trees.• streams created from melting ice.

The following man-made sounds were noted during the hike:• air plane (jet and propeller): seven times.• heavy machinery: two times.• car sounds: three times.• ATV or chainsaw sounds (hard to distinguish at a long distance): three times.• our footsteps, talking, sound of recording machinery being turned on and off.

During our walk on March 8, 2010, we decided to focus our attention on these areas on the trail: • FROG POND — a wetland area, teaming with life. 44.50496°N / 076.55326°W.• KEMP MINE — abandoned mica mine, home for porcupines.• PINE POINT — windy shore location of with White pines. 44.50044°N / 076.54894° W.• HUNTING CABIN — abandoned hunting cabin on beaver pond. 44.49990°N / 076.54556°W.• DOE LAKE OVERLOOK — Rocky outcropping on Doe Lake. 44.48887°N / 076.54280°W.• ROOKERY — Overlooking former Blue Heron rookery. 44.50572°N / 076.54932°W.

FROG POND Sound Data (graph below)• Date/Time: March 8th 2010, 2:30 - 2:40• Commentary: Both sound data and sounds were recorded at this site for approximately 10

minutes. Sound data was recorded in three sections. Natural sounds: Geese were overheard at this site; other sounds included running water, crows, woodpeckers.

• Human sounds: hikers on boardwalk, camera.• Commentary on SPL Data: The sound pressure levels were recorded at Doe Lake and the

Rookery on March 8, 2010. The weighting was Dolby A. The sound levels were ranged from 24.0 dB to 32.8 dB. The increase in level may be attributed to the rise of wind.

RECORDING SESSION #2- Tuesday March 16, 2010 (Hiking Doe Lake Trail)• Time of hike: March 16th 2010, 11:10 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.• Route: The North Otter Lake/Arab Lake/Doe Lake trail.• Length: approximately 2 kilometres long.• The following natural sounds were heard/recorded on the hike: Canada geese;

woodpeckers; chickadees; crows; chipmunks; wind through pine trees; wind through deciduous trees; streams created from melting ice, i.e. running water.

• The following man-made sounds were noted during the hike: air plane (jet and propeller): three times; car sounds: two times; hikers' footsteps, talking, dogs.

FROG POND (graph below)• Date/time: March 16th 2010, 11:10 - 11:20 a.m.• Ground level temperature: 10° C.• Barometric pressure: 1022.0 mb.• Humidity: 30%.• Recording direction: N.• Coordinates: 44.50496°N / 076.55326°W.• Elevation: 156 M.• Description: clear day, almost wind free, few clouds.• Commentary: Both sound data and sounds were recorded at this site for approximately 10

minutes. Natural sounds: Geese were overheard at this site; other sounds included running water, crows, woodpeckers. Human sounds: hikers on boardwalk, camera.

HUNTING CABIN (graph below)• Date/time: March 16th 2010, 12:10 - 12:20 a.m.• Ground level temperature: 11.5° C.• Barometric pressure: 1019.7 mb.• Humidity: 33%.• Recording direction: E.• Coordinates: 44.49990°N / 076.54556°W.• Elevation: 144 M.• Description: Clear day, light northern wind, few clouds.• Commentary: Both sound data and sounds were recorded at this site for approximately 10

minutes. Natural sounds: Geese were overheard at this site; other sounds included running water, chickadees, woodpeckers. Human sounds: hikers.

DOE LAKE OVERLOOK (graph below)• Date/time: March 16th 2010, 12:55 - 1:05 p.m.• Ground level temperature: 14° C.• Barometric pressure: 1019.2 mb.• Humidity: 30%.• Recording direction: E.• Coordinates: 44.48887°N / 076.54280°W.• Elevation: 160 M.• Description: clear day, light wind from the north, few clouds.• Commentary: Recorded in a Oak/Hickory forest. Both sound data and sounds were recorded

at this site for approximately 10 minutes. Natural sounds: Geese were overheard at this site; local geese in dialogue with overhead geese; other sounds included running water, chickadees, chipmunks, woodpeckers. Human sounds: hikers, air planes.

ROOKERY (graph below)• Date/time: March 16th 2010, 1:58 - 2:08 p.m.• Ground level temperature: 18.0° C.• Barometric pressure: 1019.3 mb.• Humidity: 23%.• Recording direction: E.• Coordinates: 44.550572°N / 076.54932°W.• Elevation: 166 M.• Description: slightly clouded to clear day, light north wind.• Commentary: Both sound data and sounds were recorded at this site for approximately 10

minutes. Natural sounds: Geese were overheard at this site; other sounds included running water, chickadees, woodpeckers, Human sounds: hikers .

• Commentary on SPL data: The sound pressure levels were recorded on March 16, 2010. The weighting was Dolby C. The sound levels were ranged from 24.0 dB to 59 dB. The increase in level may be attributed to the rise of wind, sound of geese and other birds.

RECORDING SESSION #3, Wednesday March 24th, 2010 (Hiking Doe Lake Trail)• Time of hike: 11:10 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.• Route: The South Otter Lake/Arab Lake/Doe Lake trail.• Length: approximately 2 kilometres long.• The following natural sounds were heard/recorded on the hike: Geese; woodpeckers;

chickadees; crows; chipmunks; wind through pine trees; wind through deciduous trees; streams created from melting ice, i.e. running water.

• The following man-made sounds were noted during the hike: airplane (jet and propeller): three times, car sounds: two times, hikers' footsteps, talking, dogs

FROG POND (graph below)• Date/time: March 24th 2010, 12:05 - 2:15 p.m.• Ground level temperature: 5.5° C.• Barometric pressure: 1013.3 mb.• Humidity: 37%.• Recording direction: W.• Coordinates: 44.50496°N / 076.55326°W.• Elevation: 156 M.• Description: clear day, cold north wind, no clouds.• Equipment: R-44 recorder and two PZM-30 microphones (stereo only); windscreen ("bear")• Commentary: Both sound data and sounds were recorded at this site for approximately 10

minutes. Natural sounds: Spring peepers; woodpeckers; predominating wind from the northwest. Note: ice back on Otter Lake, therefore muted sounds. Human sounds: overhead propeller plane; hikers on boardwalk, camera.

PINE POINT (graph below)• Date/time: March 24th 2010, 12:46 - 12:56 p.m.• Ground level temperature: 9° C.• Barometric pressure: 1012.0 mb.• Humidity: 35%.• Recording direction: WSW.• Coordinates: 44.50044°N / 076.54894° W.• Elevation: 140 M.• Description: clear day, north wind at 20 k/h, few clouds, ice on the lake. Area is surrounded by

60 to 80' tall White Pine trees.• Sounds: No sounds recorded.• Natural sounds heard: Predominant sound: wind blowing through pine trees (up to 60 dBC);

crows; woodpecker.

HUNTING CABIN (graph below)• Date/time: March 24th 2010, 1:30 - 1:40 p.m.• Ground level temperature: 9° C.• Barometric pressure: 1013.6 mb.• Humidity: 42%.• Recording direction: SE.• Coordinates: 44.549990°N / 076.54556°W.• Elevation: 144 M.• Description: cool day, slightly gusty north/west wind at 10-20 k/h, few clouds.• Recording equipment: R-44 recorder, stereo Ch. 3 and 4; windscreen ("bear")• Commentary: Both sound data and sounds were recorded at this site for approximately 10

minutes. Natural sounds: predominant: wind overhead through pine and oaks, spl. (on average) 44.0 dBC, with maximum spl. at 48.8 dBC; chickadees; soft running water from small streams and beaver dam; Canada geese were overheard at site; other sounds included running water, chickadees, woodpeckers. Human sounds: jet plane (twice) overhead spl. maximum 50 dBC.

DOE LAKE OVERLOOK (graph below) • Date/time: March 24th 2010, 2:16 - 2:26 p.m.• Ground level temperature: 12° C.• Barometric pressure: 1010.7 mb.• Humidity: 27%.• Recording direction: NW.• Coordinates: 44.49991°N / 076.54266° W.• Elevation: 160 M.• Description: clear day cool, north wind, few if any clouds.• Sound Recording equipment: R-44 recorder; four PZM-30 microphones (quadraphonic); two

windscreens ("bear").• Commentary on sounds heard: Both sound data and sounds were recorded at this site for

approximately 10 minutes.• Natural sounds: Predominant: wind through oak and beech trees (no leaves), plus single large

pine tree; insects, i.e., flies; small mammal in leafy undergrowth; chickadees.• Human sounds: jet plane overhead, maximum spl 58.0 dBC; later: helicopter (possibly for

uranium detection).

ROOKERY (graph below)• Date/time: March 24th 2010, 3:30 - 3:40 p.m.• Ground level temperature: 14° C.• Barometric pressure: 1011.4 mb.• Humidity: 26%.• Recording direction: ?.• Coordinates: 44.50572°N / 076.54932°W.• Elevation: 166 M.• Description: Clear sky, moon visible N/NW, breeze. Lake frozen.• Recording equipment: R-44 recorder; four microphones (quad sound); windscreens.• Commentary: Both sound data and sounds were recorded at this site for approximately 10

minutes.• Natural sounds: Predominant sound: wind through tall pine trees and leafless oak trees, up to

74 dBC; running water from beaver dam.• Human sounds: Overhead propeller planes, approx. 58 dBC maximum.• Commentary on SPL data: The sound pressure levels were recorded on March 16, 2010. The

weighting was Dolby C. The sound levels were ranged from 24.0 dB to 59 dB. The increase in level may be attributed to the rise of wind, sound of geese and other birds.

CONCLUSION:The work that we plan to do at the Frontenac Provincial Park has just started; therefore, this is a work in progress at this time. We have just begun with the recording process, that is, we have completed some of the initial sound recording, sound meter data, temperature, panoramic images, and GPS readings for South Otter lake, Doe lake and Big Salmon lake. We plan to continue to record, collect, and analyze data over the next two years. We are working with the Friends of Frontenac Provincial Park in order to create a lasting archive/data bank of the acoustic landscape of sections of Frontenac Provincial Park. By doing this, we hope to raise public awareness of this issue in the Kingston region in general and the Frontenac Axis region particularly.We also hope that our work can lead to an increased respect for natural spaces, and that some of that respect will manifest itself in the health of the acoustic ecology.