Upcoming Events
WINTER HIKES WITH THE OAK RIDGES TRAIL ASSOCIATION
Join members of the Oak Ridges Trail Association (ORTA) to hike some of our beautiful local green spaces. You do not have to be a member – all are welcome. Note winter hiking may require snow shoes (yes we shall get more snow) or icers (attachable spikes). If you are not sure of trail conditions, contact the hike leader the day before the event. For more information about preparing for the hike see:
www.oakridgestrail.org/hikeprep.htm
JEFFERSON FOREST, SAT. JAN. 14, 9:30 AM & SAT. FEB. 18, 9:30 AM
This is an 8 K, 3 hour ramble at a moderate pace along the unopened ORTA trail route through the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) Jefferson Forest Tract. Snowshoes may be a must. Contact the hike leader for availability. Meet at the Sunset Beach parking lot, northwest corner of Bethesda SdRd and Bayview Ave. For more information, contact hike leader Rhys Beak at 905-237-1826 or cell phone on day of hike only 289-221-7154.
OAK RIDGES CORRIDOR, SUN. JAN. 15, 9:30 AM & SUN. JAN 29, 9:30 AM
This hike is 8 k at a slow to moderate pace taking 3+ hours, but there is a drop out point. Hike or snowshoe depending on the weather (bring snowshoes or icers). Meet at the Old Colony parking lot just west of Bayview Ave. For more information, contact hike leaders Mina or Mahnoosh at 905-770-9954 or 647-968-4533
OAK RIDGES, LAKE WILCOX, MON. FEB. 6, 9:30 AM
This will be a 5k hike at a slow pace for about 2 hours. Depending on ice conditions, a significant part of the trek will be across Lake Wilcox. (Alternatively it will go along community trails). Icers, boots or snowshoes will be required depending on conditions. Bring a hot drink. Well mannered dogs on leash welcome. Meet at the main Sunset Beach parking lot off Bethesda SdRd. just west of Bayview Ave. For more information, contact Stan Butcher at 905-737-3966, cell phone day of hike only 416-434-3471.
GREAT BACK YARD BIRD COUNT, FEBRUARY 17 – 20, 2012
The Great Backyard Bird Count is an annual four-day event that engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of where the birds are across the continent. Anyone can participate, from beginning bird watchers to experts. It takes as little as 15 minutes on one day, or you can count for as long as you like each day of the event. It’s free, fun, and easy—and it helps the birds. This is a great example of citizen science at its best as over 90,000 check lists were submitted in 2011 that included 594 bird species. While it is called the Great “Backyard” Bird Count, it can be done anywhere such as your local park or green space so if few birds visit your yard you can go and find them elsewhere.
For more information including a special page for kids, visit: www.birdsource.org/gbbc/
ORGANIC LAWN CARE WORKSHOP –THURSDAY MARCH 1, 7:00 -8:30 PM, ELGIN WEST COMMUNITY CENTRE
There are alternatives to pesticides that can be used in caring for your lawn and garden. With preventative maintenance and natural landscaping, lawns and gardens can be more resistant to pests. This workshop includes a presentation, displays and draw prizes. It is free but registration is required. For more information and/or to register, call the Outdoor Education Program Coordinator at 905-787-1441 ext 223.
SAVE THE DATE – OAK RIDGES COMMUNITY CLEAN UP DAY – APRIL 28
Plan now to join your friends and neighbours to help clean up the winter litter from our parks and green spaces. If you have not joined us before, see the 2011 report to get the flavour of the event.
If you would like to help plan and organize the day, please contact ORFE at
orfe@oakridgesfriendsoftheenvironment.ca.
Note: All hikes and planting events generally take place rain or shine unless there is thunder and lightning.
Ongoing Items
York Region Artists Book of Moraine Art
In 2008, 40 artists from across York Region painted the vast beauty of the Oak Ridges moraine. From over 70 submissions, 20 outstanding images were chosen for an art book. 'Connecting with Nature, Oak Ridges Moraine' showcases local artists and helps bring awareness of the importance of our environment to the public. The book is still available at the low price of $20 including tax and is available at the Mill Pond Gallery, 314 Mill Street, Richmond Hill on weekends or at Art Of The Matter, in Aurora . Proceeds from this book will be donated in support of the preservation of the Oak Ridges moraine. To preview the art in the book visit: http://gallery.me.com/artcures#100032.
For more information contact them at moraine-art@sympatico.ca
Girl Guides Launch "Bin-A-Battery" Program
Batteries are a great source of power for a variety of electronics but once spent they can pose a major danger to the environment. They contain heavy metals such as cadmium that can leach from landfill into our water sources. Local Guide leaders have received funding from the Girl Guides of Canada to make it easier for Oak Ridges' residents to get rid of spent batteries in an environmentally friendly manner. Simply take your batteries to Home Hardware, the Royal Bank or the Oak Ridges Moraine Library right here in town and deposit them in the battery bin. They will be collected quarterly and taken to Miller Waste where they will be disposed of safely. ORFE congratulates these volunteers on a great community initiative. Any questions or concerns should be directed to: batteriesinor@love.com
