All posts by Brian Robin

Announcements

Consider having a voice related to trail use in Grey County Forests.

The following is an announcement from Grey County about a public workshop on The Grey County Recreational Trails Master Plan.

Recreational Trails Master Plan

November 14, 2017

Open House and Workshop:

Join us for a workshop to learn about the Recreational Trails Master Plan.

Wednesday November 29, 2017
at 6:00 p.m.
Grey County Administration Building
Council Chambers
595 9th Avenue East, Owen Sound

This meeting is your chance to hear what we’ve done so far and to participate in a workshop for the project. The meeting is open to all members of the public. Please pass along this email to anyone that you may think would be interested in attending.

Please note this is not a formal public meeting. We will share a brief presentation at the beginning of the workshop and then break into smaller groups to discuss the project. A public meeting will be scheduled for later this year.

The Project:
Grey County is preparing a Recreational Trails Master Plan. This plan will provide a blueprint for future trails projects and requirements. It will be focused on linking community trails to County trails, determining the ultimate use of the CP Rail Trail and looking at trail use and future requirements for trails in some of the 48 forest properties owned by Grey County.

The project will develop trail standards for walking trails, bicycle trails and multi-use trails, and considering the compatibility of ATV and snowmobile users with non-motorized users. It will develop criteria to apply for restricting certain trail users to specific areas or trails.

So far, the user groups we have identified include snowmobile, horseback riding, hiking, biking, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, dog walking, and ATV use.

If you have questions please contact Sarah Johnson, sarah.johnson@grey.ca or at 519-372-0219 ext. 1241.

For more information, updates or to subscribe to our mailing list visit the Recreational Trails Master Plan webpage.

Announcements

Young Naturalists – Habitat Hike, Walter’s Creek Management Area, Sunday, Nov 26th.

The next Young Naturalist outing is a Habitat Hike in Walter’s Creek Management Area Sunday, Nov 26th, 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

Please note the new location:

County Road 29 runs north/south between Walter’s Falls and Bognor. It passes the Holland/Sydenham Townline on the west. The Townline is closed to vehicles but you can park either along County Road 29 or inside the blockade.

This is a Habitat Hike in Walter’s Creek Management Area, to look for nature’s homes, from cocoons to caves along the Bruce Trail. Parents are encouraged to join us.

  • Remember to dress for the weather.
  • Please bring a small day-pack.
  • Everyone’s should have water, tissue and a small snack.
  • You might also bring binoculars, camera, sketch book, sunglasses, lip balm.

Remember:Travel light!

About the Owen Sound Field Naturalist’s Young Naturalists’ Program

The Young Nats Club is for boys and girls ages 7 to 12 years old. Younger and older children are welcome, however ages under 7 must be accompanied by an adult during each meeting. We typically meet once a month from 2:00 pm until 4:00 pm (please note offsite trips are planned), but for some events the times may vary. The program operates from October to June but with no meeting in December. Parents or guardians are encouraged to stay and participate or volunteer if they wish.

Paid Registration Required.

Find out more at Young Naturalists

Announcements, Birding Report

Christmas Bird Counts – Grey and Bruce Counties (2017)

Held every year between December 14th and January 5th, the Christmas Bird Count is one of the the largest citizen science projects.

If you would like to join one of the counts in Grey or Bruce counties, the contact information and dates of the 2017 counts are listed below. If you are outside the area, or would like more general information about the project, head to the Bird Studies Canada Website.

CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNTS IN GREY AND BRUCE – 2017
LOCATION COMPILER DATE EMAIL
Kincardine James Turland Dec. 15, Fri. jaturland@gmail.com
Hanover-Walkerton Gerard McNaughton Dec. 16, Sat. gmcnaughton@wightman.ca
Owen Sound Erik Van Den Kieboom Dec. 16, Sat. ekieboom@gbtel.ca
Wiarton Jarmo Jalava Dec. 17, Sun. jvjalava@gmail.com
Bruce Peninsula N.P. Tricia Stinnissen Dec. 20, Wed. tricia.stinnissen@pc.gc.ca
Meaford Lynne Richardson Dec. 28, Thur. lynnerichardson@rogers.com
Pike Bay Andrew Keaveney Dec. 28, Thur. uofgtwitcher@msn.com
Cape Chin Andrew Keaveney Dec. 29, Fri. uofgtwitcher@msn.com
Saugeen Shores Norah Toth Jan. 3, Wed. ntoth@rogers.com
Uncategorized

– INDOOR MEETING (Nov 9th) GOING AHEAD AS SCHEDULED –

Tonight’s OSFN Indoor Meeting, featuring NCC’s John Lounds and Esme Batten will go ahead as scheduled, for those who can make it safely.

Here is the current forecast from the radio station website – which shows that most of the storm will miss Owen Sound. (Their website also does not show any other cancellations, having been posted.)

The radar map I have looked at just now, shows that whatever snow etc., is coming down now, will be done and finished by around 6PM and moving out of the Owen Sound area, with little snow activity for the rest of the evening, and with no imminent threat of heavy weather behind it:

Tonight
Low: -8
Flurries with a chance of a squall could see 5-10 cms mainly in Bruce County and east of Meaford.

Bonus hospitality offer
In addition, we have had a generous offer from Bob and Marie Knapp, of three beds for overnight, if anyone is concerned about getting to Owen Sound and being stranded here.

Thanks for everyone’s cooperation with this. We do hope to see you at the meeting, but also understand the personal decision making that is essential in these situations.

On Behalf of President Kate McLaren,

John Dickson,
OSFN Past President, and
Director of Programming