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Well, it’s been quite a year hasn’t it?
If you were at High Lonesome or Blueberry Mountain this year you will have seen first-hand the noticeable increase in visitors to the properties. It wasn’t so long ago that we thought of our properties as a ‘best kept secret’. They are secrets no more! Covid served to remind us all how essential Nature is to our happiness and well-being and, the Land Trust properties were there to welcome our community. Will we see a return to previous visitor levels once the pandemic is a thing of the past? Will visitor numbers continue to increase as more and more people discover the restorative benefits of a walk in Nature? Time will tell.
What we do know is that despite the pandemic there has been a lot happening within the Land Trust. Our board of directors has been working diligently setting direction and getting it done with the help of our dedicated volunteers. (We are in need of more hands on deck, so if you have some time and expertise to offer, we welcome your help.) In addition to stewarding our current portfolio of 8 properties, MMLT is engaged in acquiring new properties to steward and protect.
Our Membership is now 260 strong, and your ongoing support is the backbone of our enterprise. It's good to know that we can count on our faithful and generous supporters who share our passion for the mission. I hope that you will take a few moments to respond to my recent letter and renew your membership for 2021.
We know that with hard work, diligent planning and the support of our Members, donors, and volunteers, we will continue to meet any challenges that come our way.
Hoping that 2021 brings you good health and a walk in Nature.
Bob Betcher
President MMLT
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 By: Howard Clifford
NATURE EXPERIENCED AS SUBJECTS
Personal experience impacts my convictions at a deeper level than anything else. I am indebted to my academic training – critical to meet the challenges confronted in social work. However academia didn’t prepare me for the feelings flooding over me when Jean smilingly handed me our first born. Similarly I value nature research but when I experience nature as a subject I am taken to a different level. Emotionally powerful - uniquely individualized.
This proved true for Jane Goodall and also for wolf biologist, Doug Smith. He previously worked with David Meech, whose description of the social structure of the wolf pack was considered definitive. What they didn’t know was wolves behave differently in their natural settings than they do in captivity. They now state: “thinking of a wolf as alpha is no more appropriate than calling a human parent or a deer an alpha.” I think Smith’s conclusion, following decades of studying individual wolves, is the way forward to a richer understanding of wildlife. He states wolves have “fantastic individuality”. “You can no longer say wolves do this or wolves do that. They differ in personality as much as humans do.” Read More
Read Part One of this Trilogy
Read Part Two of this Trilogy
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A new book by Dr. Gray Merriam
ONLY 30 COPIES LEFT!
 Dr. Gray Merriam, a well-known local ecologist, has published a new book titled Caring for our Homeplace. The book consists of forty-five essays on an array of topics giving insights for folks who care about their surroundings. Essays are presented in focal groups of Natural Riches, Stewardship of Our Natural Heritage, and Our Future. Essays vary in length from one to several pages, some with black and white illustrations.
The Mississippi Madawaska Land Trust is pleased to offer Caring for our Homeplace for sale for the price of $20 per book plus $5 for shipping (if needed). The book is available only in paper form. Proceeds from the sale of the book go into general revenues of MMLT.
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A look at the geology of cliffLAND On October 10 a group of about 10 of our Board members, Emeritus members and volunteers ventured out to look at the geology of cliffLAND. It was unfortunate that numbers had to be limited so that we could maintain social distancing at stops to view rock outcrops but it was an enjoyable day and perhaps a prelude to next year when we have hopes that a larger gathering can be assembled. The field trip was led by Bob Betcher who, in retirement, has been renewing his understanding of the geology of eastern Ontario.
The rocks in most of the MMLT area date to the Grenville Orogeny (mountain building event) which occurred between about 1.3 to 1.0 billion years ago. As Bob explained, at this time almost all of the continental land masses on the earth were coming together to form a “supercontinent” named Rodinia. We will leave the details of how continents move about the earth to another time but basically the continents “float” on a semi-liquid interior of the earth. The formation of Rodinia resulted in parts of the oceanic crust lying between converging continents to be pushed onto the eastern part of the North American continent to form a mountain range. These mountains stretched from what is now Central America through the United States and Canada and to northern Scotland, which at the time was attached to the North American continent, but have now been reduced to what we see today by a billion years of erosion.
Read More
Figure 1 Outcrop of marble with dissolution cave on Porcupine Trail
Figure 2 Outcrop of the Robertson Lake mylonite zone near Joes Lake
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 Bobby Clarke completed her 6 years on the MMLT Board earlier this year. Don Johnston talked with her recently about that experience.
Don: How did you come to be involved in MMLT in the first place?
Bobby: My husband John and I had met Ted Mosquin, one of the founders of the Land Trust, after moving here from Southern Ontario and he encouraged me to join.
Don: Why did you join?
Bobby: It was the ‘forever’ thing. What could be more worthwhile than protecting wilderness for my grandchildren and generations to come?
Don: How did you think you could help?
Bobby: Frankly, I couldn’t imagine why they wanted me to be on the Board. Other than a love of nature, I had no expertise in botany or biology to offer. I was a physiotherapist for goodness sake. However, I had served on other committees and I knew I could help to organize events. I enjoyed working with people and I believed fervently in the conservation cause.
Don: Looking back, what are you most proud of?
Bobby: Over the course of my 6 years on the Board, we secured 4 properties, more than 300 acres of special wild land. And that means it's protected legally for 999 years. I’m proud to have been a part of this achievement.
In terms of my own contribution, it was the children and being part of MMLT’s efforts to expose them to nature, especially with the creation of the Festival of the Wild Child. Early engagement with nature brings a love that lasts a lifetime. And as Howard Clifford often says, you protect what you love.
Don: Would you do it again?
Bobby: It’s not something to be undertaken lightly. It’s a working board and there’s lots to do. But I’m very grateful for the experience and I've met and worked with some wonderful people. In fact I can't think of a more worthwhile way to help protect nature and the wild spaces that are close to our home. Yes, I would do it again...if I wasn't approaching 80! But now I will continue as a regular volunteer for as long as I am able.
Don: Thank you for all that you have done for MMLT. We’re going to miss you on the Board but it’s great that you plan to continue volunteering.
Editor: Dear Friends, We are always looking for good people to serve on our board. If you are prepared to commit some time over the next few years to preserving wilderness for future generations, please let us know. If you would like to volunteer to take on occasional or specific tasks, we are looking for volunteers to help with finance, property law, communications/social media, event planning and event-day helpers. Why not drop us a line at admin@mmtl.ca to discuss how you might help?
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Membership
Members make us stronger and help fulfill our mission!
Memberships are due January 1, 2021
Invite Friends and Family to Join!
Family Membership $ 40
Single Membership $ 25
Renew Your Membership Online
Download a Membership Renewal Form to pay by cheque.
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Ed Lawrence, Michael Runtz and Britta Gerwin for their help in making the Radiothon and online auction so successful!
'Girl Gone Good', Victoria Walsh donated 40% of the sales from her Guide to Hiking Trails in Ottawa + Region to helping preserve the properties she loves. Thank you Victoria!
...and the many volunteers who give of their time and exceptional talent to maintain our properties, plan events and, help keep us on track!
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FEATURING: Barn Treasures from High Lonesome Nature Reserve.
December 2 - 9, 2020
William and Mary McWatty and their family settled in Pakenham in 1884. They cleared 50 acres and bought themselves 4 cattle, 4 sheep, 2 horses and 1 hog. Half an acre was garden and orchard.
When we had to take down the McWatty barn this year, due to safety concerns, we ensured that the wood, windows and doors that could be repurposed, were removed to be used in another building.
We also set aside a few historical pieces so that you could take home a piece of High Lonesome history.
Visit and Bid at: Mississippi Madawaska Land Trust_Auctions and Sales
Bid offline by email: admin@mmlt.ca
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