ali giroux’s time for nature - paying it forward
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Ali Giroux’s Time for Nature
Paying it Forward
![Page 2: Ali giroux’s Time for Nature - Paying it Forward](https://reader033.vdocument.in/reader033/viewer/2022061206/5482a992b079593d0c8b485a/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
I believe I am guilty of a few things. I’m guilty of being a full-fledged nature nerd and another of equating an inventory day to recess at school. You know what I mean? Bursting through the doors and having 15 minutes of freedom, fresh air and a break from the desk. Except my recess lasted 6 days!
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I had decided to spend a few days with the Kawartha Heritage Conservancy (KHC), a charitable land trust in Peterborough with a mission to conserve the natural and cultural heritage and distinctive landscapes of the Kawartha bioregion. I had first heard of KHC from a friend of mine who volunteers with them. I knew they ran field days to some of their properties so I jumped on the boat, or in this case a canoe! This would fulfill two checks on my long list of to do’s: to meet new folks in the area with the same passion for nature and check out what central Ontario has to offer.
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Tuesday consisted of exploring a large property in the Kawarthas that has a long natural shoreline. Ian Attridge (Senior Project Manager at KHC) and I spend the day touring the expansive area and collectively we recorded 126 plants (77% of which are native). It was a fantastic day with some equally great wildlife sightings.
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Wednesday presented a heat wave! Ian and I met up with Mike Hendren (Executive Director at KHC), Martin Parker (President of the Peterborough Field Naturalists) and Matthew Tobey (a 15 year-old birding prodigy!) and headed to the Cowan property on Stoney Lake. The KHC has a conservation easement on this property and we hiked the extensive trail system, ran into a charismatic juvenile snapping turtle and took a much needed cool down in Stoney Lake. All in all we recorded 92 plants, 30 bird species, 5 butterflies, 1 mammal and 2 herpetofauna. Good fun! I’m extremely appreciative to the KHC for having me out and to Martin and Matthew for their patience in answering my confused, ‘what bird is that again’ looks.
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Thursday I finished the final survey of my marsh monitoring route along Jackson Creek in Peterborough. This is my second year as a volunteer. My boyfriend, Bobby and new puppy Kodachrome (we like Paul Simon!) came with me-which was a big highlight for me. We saw a Green Heron and heard a Virginia Rail. Success!! And Bobby saw my reaction to cool sightings. A trait I only share with colleagues.
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The week ended with a canoe trip in Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park with friends. We paddled in for 5 hours and arrived at a beautiful campsite on Rathbun Lake. It was Kodachrome’s second time in a canoe. She’s a veteran now and adjusted very well! I went to bed listening to loons and whip-poor wills, with a full belly of campfire food and a heart and soul full of thanks to Mother Nature!
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