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As temperatures warm, tick-borne diseases (e.g., Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and Powassan virus) are predicted to spread further into Canada due to the northward movement of the mammal and bird hosts transporting infected ticks. Over the past decade, the number of reported cases of tick-borne diseases in Canada has increased exponentially, with many cases occurring in Ontario and Quebec. In the future, tick-borne diseases will become an even greater public health problem in Canada. How are infectious diseases transmitted by ticks? Why are mammals a big part of the problem? How can we protect ourselves when we are out in nature? Ms. Crandall will discuss these questions and more using the current research findings on tick-borne disease in Canada and the interprovincial comparison that is being conducted as part of her Ph.D. research.
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Spotlight on Chris Baburek and Michael Macpherson
The MMLT is so grateful for the commitment of the many volunteers who contribute to the success of the organization. When people say 'we couldn't do it without you” it's true, we really couldn't.
Without volunteers, MMLT couldn't protect its forests, meadows, and wetlands and acquire new lands when they become available. Properties couldn't be monitored and managed, trails cleared, nature walks guided and many wonderful nature experiences offered to the community at large. Especially, the funds needed to ensure the long-term conservation of our present and future lands in the Mississippi Madawaska watershed couldn’t be raised.
We thank all who have helped us in the past and who continue to do so. Especially, we want to recognize and honour two of our most outstanding volunteers:
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Chris Baburek volunteers at High Lonesome Nature Reserve - and much more!
It's hard to say exactly when Chris started volunteering for the Land Trust. She just quietly showed up at trail clearing sessions, fundraisers and other events and in her calm way, helped do the job at hand. For many years now Chris has been that special person who steps in when we needed a volunteer with strong organizational skills and a network of key contacts.
One of those special jobs was her early participation, as a founding member of the planning team, in the Festival of the Wild Child. The highly popular Pond Exploration site at Tranquility Pond was Chris' baby. She organized the site, recruited experts and a team of helpers for the two day event. This meant gathering nets, specimen bowls, rubber boots and array of dry socks, reference books and much more, and then hauling everything out to the site. And back again at the end....The children, and their parents, had so much fun with Chris and her team that the next year we had to introduce a second pond exploration site.
Chris continues to help with leading trail clearing at High Lonesome, managing one of our “Discover the Wild” events and pitching in with many of the needed jobs for our major fundraiser, the Go Wild Gala. MMLT is so grateful to Chris and that her deep love of nature and a dedication to land conservation has translated into her volunteer commitment to us.
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Michael Macpherson sans pareil of the Mississippi Madawaska Land Trust.
In MMLT’s formative years, Michael helped to shape our governance structure and enhanced MMLT’s communications and grant applications, making them more compelling and more successful. From the beginning, Michael has provided an important and strong link into the broader naturalist community. And for years he has been the charming and effective master of ceremonies for some of MMLT’s Galas, AGMs and other important meetings, a recognized face of the organization. Together with his wife, Jean, he also brought many new volunteers into the fold.
MMLT is all about land conservation and Michael has played an important role there as well. He demonstrated high level negotiation skills and determination while working with the City of Ottawa to find a way to collaborate on a Carp Hills Conservation Easement, and then when the City finally determined that they would not proceed, he was able to work with the land owner to secure the property through donation. That whole challenging process took ten long years and MMLT was most grateful that Michael persevered to ensure this treasure could be protected in perpetuity.
Michael’s contributions have often been very hands on. He brought his skills and experience in construction to lead the repurposing of the High Lonesome unused garage into a Welcome Centre. Whether wielding a saw or drill or bushhogging the parking lot at the Byrne Big Creek Preserve, Michael can always be counted on to get the task done.
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Written by: Howard Clifford
I love Old Growth Forests and I am committed to protecting them. However I don’t frame the issue as an “either – or” proposition. I take delight in a veggie garden and in a well managed woodlot. Both fill critical human needs. Nevertheless one awesome difference I experience in an old growth forest is the overwhelming, humbling, sense of mysterious majesty. Unlike a garden or a woodlot which is not sustainable without human intervention it is not so for Old Growth Forests. You feel, without understanding, the creative power, the resilience, the sustainability, the wildness of non-human autonomy. Read More
Pictured above: Howard visits the Old Growth Poplars on his cliffLAND property with his granddaughters.
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The Mississippi Madawaska Land Trust is honoured to be recognized by the Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club (OFNC) with a 2019 citation. Each year, the OFNC recognizes an outstanding contribution by a non-member in the cause of natural history conservation in the Ottawa Valley. The award will be presented to MMLT on February 22 at the OFNC Annual Awards Night in Ottawa. Stay tuned for more on this story.
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Spring Nature Walk 10 May
at cliffLAND & Blueberry Mountain
Discover Spring Wildflowers and Birds 24 May
at the Keddy Nature Sanctuary
Discover Night Time Moths 29 May
at High Lonesome Nature Reserve (Rain Date - June 5)
Discover Trees and Shrubs 21 June
at High Lonesome Nature Reserve
Discover Bees and Wasps 19 July
at High Lonesome Nature Reserve
Fall Colours Walk 4 October
at cliffLAND & Blueberry Mountain
Discover Rocks and Water 4 October
at cliffLAND & Blueberry Mountain
SAVE THE DATE!
The Festival of the Wild Child August 29 & 30
at High Lonesome Nature Reserve
Learn more at mmlt.ca and Discover the Wild Series
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Our Members Make the Difference
Members make us stronger and help fulfill our mission! If you haven't renewed your membership yet, please act today!
Single Membership $ 25 Family Membership $ 40
Click here to Renew Your Membership online
Download a Membership Renewal Form to renew by cheque
Memberships renew annually on January 1st
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