Go Wild Gala Success
This year the Mississippi Madawaska Land Trust (MMLT) held its annual ‘Go Wild Gala’ at the Grand Hotel in Carleton Place. On Saturday evening, October 19th, 130 guests gathered for a splendid dinner, a great speaker, and a fun silent auction all in support of MMLT’s work to protect wild properties.
President Bob Betcher provided a perspective on MMLT’s activities and achievement and thanked the volunteers and donors for their contributions throughout the year. In particular, he thanked the Bean Chevrolet Buick GMC Ltd. (Carleton Place) and Via Rail for their sponsorship of the event and the volunteer bankers from BMO Almonte who processed all of the auction purchases.
The evening’s feature presentation was delivered by naturalist Michael Runtz who led the audience on a four-season tour of Algonquin Park. The audience were captivated by his stunning photographs and vast knowledge of the Park and its inhabitants.
Special thanks to the Granary in Carleton Place, Gilligalou Bird in Almonte and, Shadowfax in Perth for selling tickets at their locations.
|
|
|
Discover Series Wraps Up
Fall Colours Hike at Blueberry Mountain
CliffLAND and it's breathtaking view from Blueberry Mountain never fail to thrill visitors who come to enjoy the incredible display of fall colours. This year a dire weather forecast discouraged many hikers from taking part but the rain never arrived, and those who did make the trek to the top of Blueberry Mountain were rewarded with a particularly colourful display this year.
We thank the Clifford family for sharing their wonderful property with all of us.
Discover Lovely Lichen of Lanark County
Nature guide, research scientist, and lichenologist, Dr. Troy McMullen led a keen group of individuals on an afternoon walk to Discover Lovely Lichens on Blueberry Mountain at cliffLAND. During the walk, Troy identified dozens of species of lichen and shared fascinating scientific information with the group. The highlight of the walk was a visit, guided by Howard Clifford (pictured), to a stand of old-growth forest where Troy discovered something truly special.
Troy McMullin reports:
 "Old-growth forests are not only interesting because of their large ancient trees and cathedral-like groves, they are also inhabited by species that do not occur elsewhere. Unique habitats are created in old-growth forests, such as the caverns at the base of trees, heavily fissured bark, and the humidity is often higher and more sustained. One group of organisms with many old-growth-dependant species is lichen. Lichens are composites comprised of a mycobiont (fungus) and a photosynthesizing partner or photobiont, which is an alga or a cyanobacterium, or occasionally both! During a recent visit to Blueberry Mountain to look for lichens, I observed this pattern. The only small patch of old-growth forest that I encountered contained serval lichen species that were not observed elsewhere. Unfortunately, old-growth forests, despite their beauty and ecological importance, are extremely rare and continue to disappear. As a result, the species that rely on these ancient stands are now rare as well. Therefore, the last of the old-growth forests warrant conservation action."
The Lichen and Fall Colours walks were sponsored by BrokerLink
Discover Nature Through your Camera Lens
On September 14th, nature and landscape photographer, Simon Lunn tutored an avid group of camera enthusiasts in the fine art of Nature photography at High Lonesome. He stressed the importance of lighting, and talked about using photographs to evoke a strong emotional response or tell a story. For example, he showed how an empty chair can suggest the presence of people. An abandoned wheel could be used to frame’ a subject as could a branch or other natural element. He suggested focusing on the water’s edge to find interesting reflections. As the group walked the Beaver Pond trail, there were frequent stops to examine mushrooms and the photographic opportunities they provide. Participants came away from the morning session with new insights on how to enhance their photography.
 
|
|
By Howard Clifford
I clearly recall a folding kayak (canoe) trip down the Athabasca River in the 1960’s. Everything was right with the world – a beautiful northern river – no human habitation within 50 miles. That is until my wife Jean stated: “I smell smoke?” I detected the faint scent from a distant forest fire. “Nothing to worry about.” I said. She was not buying my attempt to ease her mind.
As hours slipped by the smoke became stronger and eventually we saw flames downstream on our right. We spotted a moose standing at the water’s edge and paddled closer to get a picture. The cow moose looked at us and retreated a few feet into the bush. It was then we saw a very young calf struggling to gain its feet. Jean nervously remarked: “I hope they can escape the fire.”
Another hour of paddling – the smoke so thick we couldn’t see more than a hundred yards ahead of us. The odd spark could be seen blown by the wind and close to the boat. “We will outrun it. Let’s paddle until dusk and find a safe camp spot on the left shore.” Needless to say we spent an anxious night.
We skipped breakfast. The heat of the fire was alarming, and the smoke affected our lungs and eyes. The wind was actually carrying sparks across the river. Anxiety motivated us to paddle hard but we realized we had to pace ourselves. By mid-afternoon the flames seemed to be behind us. This was our first time caught in a significant forest fire. We often wondered how the moose and her calf made out. Surely there would be loss of wildlife.
It is not unusual on a canoe trip to come across large swathes of burned-over forest. These are hard to process. A ghostly forest cemetery-eerie, primeval. The forest seems so devastated it doesn’t seem possible it will recover, at least not in our lifetime. Yet at the same time there is the feel of wildness. Nature caused it and nature has not disowned it.
Ecologists have known for some time that fire is a powerful critical part of nature’s arsenal for renewal and regeneration-a pruning tool. We have also learned from the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens that nature’s recuperative powers are faster acting then previously believed. What I didn’t fully realize was how utterly special these burned areas can be. Hugh Powell’s June 17, 2019 article “Old Flames: The Tangled History of Forest Fires, Wildlife, and People” brought this specialness home to me.
Like most conservation issues, conflicts abound. The forest industry sees a ruined forest and an urgent need to salvage the dead trees before insects destroy their marketable value. Conversely, Richard Hutto, professor emeritus, University of Montana, led Powell to visit a fire that nine months earlier had burned 160,000 acres of forests. He stated that you couldn’t ask for a better fire calling it “nature’s best-kept secret, a young burned forest.“ “This is a habitat that’s like no other habitat on the Planet and salvage logging is just about the worst thing that could be done to it. If you take the burned trees out, all these special things ago away.
Although a severely burned forest looks barren, as soon as the flames go out there is a frenzy of ecological activity-a tumult of new plants, mushrooms, insects, amphibians, birds, and mammal unlike anything that happens in the quiet shade of a green forest. He stresses he is not anti-logging but not in these special ecosystems. If economic loss is the concern he suggests eco-tourism – provide maps to see Black-backed woodpeckers and the most amazing wildflower show “you will see in your life,”
Again, Nature is the best teacher!
|
|
|
|
MMLT has lost a good friend. As reported on our Facebook page, Howard Robinson died on October 19 while hiking with friends in Frontenac Park. Howard was an active volunteer with MMLT: his work included marking trails and installing interpretive signage on its properties. Most recently he was part of the team that tested bioacoustic monitoring as a tool for tracking habitat health. MMLT has honoured Howard by entering his name in the Circle of Gratitude at Blueberry Mountain. The Board of Directors and MMLT friends extend sincere condolences to his wife, Mary and their family.
|
|
|
Preserving Wilderness for Today and Future Generations
At the Mississippi Madawaska Land Trust, we believe that wilderness in our region is precious and that its protection is essential to the health and wellbeing of our communities.
Thanks to the help of our donors and volunteers, our eight properties (2,600 ac.) are thriving.
This year, volunteer property managers and their teams maintained the properties, groomed trails and diligently monitored habitat health. More Blanding Turtles than ever were seen nesting on four properties, dozens of species of lichen were identified at cliffLAND, and Sandhill Cranes were spotted at Keddy Nature Sanctuary for the first time. Three of the properties were sites for entomological and botanical studies by several federal agencies, universities, and non-governmental groups.
2020 brings fresh opportunities; we are currently considering four additional properties for protection. A host of new Discover the Wild nature walks, the spring and fall hikes at Blueberry Mountain, and the Festival of the Wild Child in August are already being planned to ensure our members and guests have rewarding experiences when visiting our properties.
As a volunteer-driven organization, MMLT receives no direct government funding, and we are eternally grateful to our donors and volunteers. Every donation and hour given is valued and makes a difference in the work we do for today and for future generations.
Click here to Renew Your Membership or Make a donation Online Today!
Click here to Download a Membership / Donation Form Remember, Effective January 1, 2020 memberships renew annually on January 1st of each year.
The Clifford Family is offering this Special Gift to new Monthly Donors...
|
|
|
|
|
