Monarch butterflies will be flocking to 14 elementary schools in Lennox & Addington County this summer and fall. Pollinator gardens are being planted in school yards and butterflies will be raised in classrooms. Participating local schools include North Addington Education Centre in Cloyne, and Enterprise Public School.

The Lennox & Addington Stewardship Council is spearheading the Monarch Breeding Kits for Schools Project. The Monarch butterfly population is dwindling and all of our pollinators need help. The pilot project began in 2015 when 20 Monarch kits were supplied to 13 elementary schools in L&A County. Kits included caterpillars, chrysalides, a milkweed plant, and an aviary. Students were able to observe the entire life cycle of the Monarch from caterpillar to adult. In September, the children released the Monarchs to begin their migratory route, and the butterflies could be tagged and reported in the Monarch Watch database. This fall generation of Monarchs - the super generation - is able to fly 4,000 km to its winter destination in the mountains of Mexico.

This year in the 2016 Program, nine schools are planting gardens to help attract pollinators of all kinds: butterflies, birds and insects. Native species will be planted, and when the flowers bloom, the students can watch the feeding action. In addition, 14 schools ordered Monarch Breeding Kits, which will be set up in the classrooms at the beginning of September. The breeding kits come from a nursery that is accredited by the International Butterfly Breeders Organization.

Partners are essential to the momentum of this program. Maya Navrot, from Quinte Conservation, has assisted many schools with site plans and advice on plantings. Volunteers have contributed native plants and planting time to the pollinator gardens. Funding for this program has been gratefully received from TD Friends of the Environment, Napanee District Community Foundation, Quinte Conservation, Friends of the Salmon River, and Kingston Field Naturalists, as well as the contributions from participating schools.

For more information, contact Marilyn Murray, manager of the Monarch program, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

As the weather continues its hot and dry pattern, local conservation authorities are sounding the alarm bells.

The Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority issued a statement this week, on Monday, June 20.

The statement said the Mississippi River is in a minor drought condition, but that the tributaries are now experiencing a moderate to severe drought. Flows in the river are at 25% of the norm and in the tributaries the flows are at 10% of the norm. While lake water levels remain at the summer average, they are starting to drop.

“Water conservation is recommended for everyone within the watershed,” said the statement.

Quinte Region Conservation issued a level 1 low water warning in early June, and has requested that homes and businesses reduce water consumption by 10%.

Both the Cataraqui Region Conservation (CRCA) and Rideau Valley Conservation Authorities (RVCA) issued slightly more optimistic statements just after some heavy rains in early June. On June 7, the CRCA said it was maintaining its minor drought level even though 20-50 mm of rain had fallen on the watershed in the two previous days. On June 9, citing the same rains, the RVCA downgraded its warning to minor. With little rain since then except for heavy but spotty thunderstorms on Monday, the next statements from both the CRCA and RVCA will likely be more dire.

Residents in all districts are advised to check for fire bans before lighting any fires, as bans have been issued in different jurisdictions at different times over the past month (see editorial).

“We weren't sure what to expect,” said Rena Upitis, the director of Wintergreen Studios on Saturday, June 4, as she was entering species onto a log sheet on her computer.

“But this is fantastic, isn't it!” she continued as she looked out over a building full of mostly young people who were listening to and watching the Salamander Man, Matt Ellerbeck, as he showed them some of the salamanders in his collection and talked about the salamanders that can be found in the woods, fields, and water at Wintergreen.

Last year the Kingston Field Naturalists held a 24-hour BioBlitz at Wintergreen and they identified over 1,000 species of plants, insects, and animals on the property.

When they indicated they were not going to come back this year, Upitis thought that maybe there was a way to put on a different kind of BioBlitz.

“The field naturalists are experts, and they had a scientific focus to their blitz. I wondered if there was a way to put the focus on youth and education. So I put up a poster at Queen's in late March looking for students to co-ordinate an event.” Upitis is a professor at Queen's in the faculty of education.

As part of the Queen's education program, student teachers are required to do one “alternative practicum”, a teaching opportunity outside of the normal school environment.

Two students in the department took the bait, and their three-week 'alt-practicum' turned into a three-month project. Kate Belmore and Monica Capovilla did not seem to mind, however, as they shifted gears easily from greeting and registering participants of all ages and darting about the Wintergreen property, gathering materials and supporting the presenters of the many workshops that were given during the two-day blitz.

Over 50 participants showed up on Saturday, and even with the overnight rain a total of more than 80 people spent at least part of the weekend scouring the property, looking for species and attending workshops.

Belmore and Capovilla are about to graduate from Queen's and the experience they have had organizing, promoting and executing the BioBlitz has been a highlight of their time in university.

“This kind of education is something I want to pursue, now that I've seen it in action,” said Belmore. “It might have ruined me for classroom teaching.”

In addition to the salamander workshop, there were workshops on pond life, wildflowers, even a presentation of peregrine falcons from Quebec, all spread out over the two days.

Rena Upitis took the place of Dr. Graham Whitelaw, who had been scheduled to provide a tour of the 20 metre x 20 metre bio-diversity plot at Wintergreen. He had been monitoring the plot but was not able to make it to the event.

The plot is fully inventoried, with tags on all the trees that are more than 10 cm wide as part of an effort to monitor changes over time.

There are plots throughout Canada and the one at Wintergreen includes a number of mature Butternut trees, some that have been somewhat resistant to the Butternut canker, which has devastated the population of Butternuts in Eastern Canada.

There were about 500 species identified at Wintergreen over the weekend, about half as many as in 2015. The identification of species was not the ultimate goal of this year's event, however. Sparking an interest in ecology and biodiversity in 80 people took precedence.

The Frontenac Stewardship Council brought a number of local and regional organizations together at the Clar-Mill Hall in Plevna last Saturday to present information of cultural and environmental/ecological interest.

“This area is blessed with unbelievable natural riches, and on that land, many generations of people have added other riches,” said event organizer Gray Merriam.

The event was designed to build on a similar event that was held two years ago at North Addington Education Centre in Cloyne, but the focus was different this time around. At Cloyne, forestry and alternative energy proposals were a focus, and there were a number of formal presentations, as well as involvement from the school community

It was a drop-in event, with booths set up by a dozen different organizations.

They included booths by local artisans, who are putting the finishing touches on the Back Country Studio Tour this September, and the Clarendon-Millar Archives.

Glenn Tunnock, who is a land use planner and has written a thesis on the Algonquin Land Claim, provided information about the Algonquin Land Claim and its implications for landowners.

Members of Mazinaw Lanark Forestry, a corporation owned by local foresters who have the contracts for forestry on Crown Lands in the region, were on hand to talk about sustainable forestry practices.

The Mississippi Madawaska Land Trust was also there, with information about the 358-acre Rose Hill Nature Reserve, which is located at the northwest junction of North Frontenac and Addington Highlands.

One group that has an interest in North Frontenac but has a lower profile in the region is The Land Between.

Leora Berman is the founder and chief executive officer of the group, which is a Haliburton-based organization dedicated to developing an understanding, appreciation, and ultimately the preservation of a large swath of land in Central and Eastern Ontario.

The Land Between (TLB) refers to an “eco-tone”, a region located between two major geological regions, in this case the region between the St. Lawrence Lowlands to the south and the Canadian Shield to the north.

It is described on the TLB website as being “characterized by low relief exposed granite to the north side and 'stepping stones' of limestone plain along the south side. Small and connected lakes and wetlands between these dry open ridges and patches of cool shaded forest are the patterns of this unique natural system. “The physical character of The Land Between, as an eco-tone, is shaped by fundamental transitions in: geology; physiography; climate; and elevation.

The Land Between is the outer reach for species from both sides, in addition to being the home base for other species, making it the region with the highest biodiversity in the province. It is also set to play a major role in maintaining species in the face of the effects of climate change, as some species retreat to the north because of climate change and others retreat to the south.

The Land Between is at the northern limit for species in Ontario such as White Oak, Woodchuck, Yellow-throated Vireo, Cottontail, Green Heron, Chorus Frog, Common Crow and others.

It is at the southern limit for Shield species such as Grey Wolf, Moose, American Raven, Jack Pine, River Otter and others, and other rare and unique species are found in TLB that rely on the region for survival, such as Ontario’s only lizard, the Five-lined Skink, the Golden Winged Warbler, Whippoorwill, Common Nighthawk, snakes, turtles, etc.

While The Land Between generally follows a line parallel to but slightly above Highway 7, in Frontenac County the rock outcrops, thin soil, mixture of limestone and granite, and marshes and fens, extend south to the Godfrey area, and include most of Central and North Frontenac. Certainly, as bleary-eyed residents can attest, there are Whippoorwills throughout that area.

The Land Between is a charitable organization with a board made up of a majority of First Nation members. Its goal is to provide research and to foster public awareness of the land and the culture of the region.

The preponderance of undeveloped Crown Land in North Frontenac makes the township important for TLB, because many of the larger and some of the smaller lakes in Muskoka and Haliburton counties have been developed to the point where they are no longer a suitable habitat for all of the species that were supported in the past.

“In order for a lake to continue to provide for the habitat in its vicinity it needs to remain at least 75% untouched,” said Leora Berman.

“As lakes are developed, there are ways to do it so that condominium and resort developments allow for the shoreline to be shared, keeping most of the lakefront intact.”

TLB has a number of projects on the go, including some major habitat research projects; education campaigns, The Land Between Book an educational video about the role hunting plays culturally and ecologically in the region; and the Turtle Guardian Campaign, which is aimed at youth.

“No other species can replace the role that turtles play in cleaning the water in our lakes,” said Berman, “so with the turtle population down by 50% all over Ontario, and most turtles now on the endangered list, we are all at risk.”

For further information on TLB, go to thelandbetween.ca

On Saturday June 4, the people on the land -- those who know it well – are invited to share their knowledge at a special community day in Plevna with groups who have formal and technical information about that land. The event will take place from 9:30am to 3:30pm in the Clar-Mill Hall on Buckshot Lake Road.

The objective of the day is to combine the knowledge of the people on the land with that of stewardship agencies to begin an inventory of i) specially valued places, and ii) places that need special care, focusing on the northeastern section of Frontenac County and its watersheds; to make a record of these places.

There are many official lists of the riches of our region but the people who have lived on the land and used it, and still do, hold the best knowledge of those riches. Community Day 509 will be an opportunity for folks who have shaped the landscapes North of 7 to see what riches the agencies have listed, to which they can add their own special places—those places they learned about by being on the land and on the waters.

Our environment includes special places that are both natural and historical. Together with ongoing events these form an ever-changing community. We should place high values on all places that are, or have been, important in shaping and holding together our community.

Everyone is welcome to attend and contribute and the Clarendon-Miller Volunteer Firefighters will have lunch for sale at the hall.

Contact Gray Merriam, 613-335-3589, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; or Richard Emery 613-479-8057, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

A number of Tay Valley residents are upset about a Lanark County-sponsored program to spray the herbicide Clearview on road allowances adjacent to county roads in order to remove infestations of wild parsnip.

Tay Valley Council has not approved the use of the spray on township roads, but county-owned Althorpe Road, Road 36 between Althorpe and Hwy. 7, and Bennett Lake Road are all scheduled for spraying in June. According to a plan that was approved by Lanark County Council earlier this year, spraying will take place on roads that are designated as having high concentrations of wild parsnip.

Direct exposure to wild parsnip has been associated with severe, dangerous levels of skin irritation that can be more serious than exposure to poison ivy in some cases.

Opponents to spraying are concerned that the application of Clearview on roadside ditches will have adverse consequences that far outweigh the risk of exposure to wild parsnip.

Sandy Parks, who lives on a farm on Road 36 where they keep bees and produce honey, takes issue with claims by Lanark County staff that Clearview can be used on sloped road allowances without causing any damage to vegetation beyond the county property.

“In the research that I and others have done, Clearview should only be used on flat stretches of ground, not ditches, which is what we have here,” she said.

In a media release on April 6, Lanark County described wild parsnip as not only a threat to exposed skin, but also a threat to bio-diversity. It “out-competes native vegetation and crowds out important, low-growing plants. Pollinators might not visit as often as other native species. It can reduce the quality of some agricultural forage crops.”

After describing how mowing programs have not been effective in reducing the spread of the parsnip, the release refers to Chad Horton of the non-profit Ontario Vegetation Management Association who said that Clearview is highly effective and is approved for use in Ontario by Health Canada.

Sandy Parks said that she is also concerned about bio-diversity, and that is why she opposes the use of Clearview, which is a generalised herbicide.

She pointed out that when the Township of Mississippi Mills, which is part of Lanark County, researched Clearview, they decided not to participate in the county program.

“Spraying roadsides with Clearview will damage non-target plants, including native plants and possibly some agricultural plants, shrubs and trees on and near roadsides), and contaminate the environment with persistent herbicide residues. Much of this damage cannot be mitigated. There are potential short- and long-term human health risks attached to the use of any pesticide, even those registered and approved by Health Canada, and many residents in the community do not want to assume this risk,” said a Mississippi Mills staff report on Clearview.

Residents of Lanark County who live on county roads can stop the spraying of Clearview in the vicinity of their property, but to do so they must contact the township office immediately and arrange to pick up a “No Spraying” sign.

Sandy Parks contacted the county for a No Spray sign, and she said she was told she needs numerous signs for the farm and the residence, and for each piece of property owned by members of the extended Parks family, who have farmed in the region for several generations.

“It hasn't been easy dealing with Lanark County on this issue,” she said.

Lanark County residents who would like more information can contact the public works office at 1-888-952-6275.

People on the land to share knowledge of special places

Coming soon is a chance for the people on the land north of Highway 7 to share their knowledge of their lands and waters and community. Join them on Saturday June 4, 9:30 to 3:30, in the Clar-Mill Hall on Buckshot Lake Road in Plevna

The land north of 7 is blessed with unbelievable natural riches, and on that land, many generations of people have added other riches that we recognize in our historical archives. Our artists and artisans are adding their creations. All of these riches should be considered as we choose among the options for the future of the lands and the community north of 7.

Community Day 509 will build on the Community Day held in Cloyne in 2014 and will provide an opportunity for the people on the land to discuss knowledge gained from many generations of experience on the land. Adding knowledge from the land to information gained from satellites looking down on the land from above and from other technical and analytical approaches will give a fuller appreciation of the richness of our lands. We need to bring all these ways of knowing together as we decide the futures for the riches North of 7.

On June 4 nobody will give speeches. It will be a chance for questions and answers, for conversation and for you folks who live in the region North of 7 to exchange ideas about how you want our region to be in the future. Come out and discuss how you value that wealth of living conditions and want it cared for as your community changes.

As human populations both here and in neighbouring cities change and lifestyles change we will need to choose among the possible futures for the lands North of 7. Before choosing a particular future to aim for, we need to safeguard the rich range of Special Places that we have. Our lakes, our forests, our visible landscapes, the ecosystem processes that maintain those natural features clearly make this land rich. So do the special features that humans have created and that are important in our history. All these riches have Special Places that should be identified before they are changed. Community Day 509 will take a step toward that end.

You will be able to exchange knowledge with: planners, conservation managers, land trust volunteers, naturalists, stewardship volunteers, artists and crafts people, historians, municipal politicians, and others.

If discussing your information gives you an appetite, the Clarendon-Miller Volunteer Firefighters Association will have lunch for sale at the hall.

For information contact Gray Merriam, 613-335-3589, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; or Richard Emery 613-479-8057, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Want to learn more about wildlife identification? To spend a day outdoors exploring? To have a staring contest with a peregrine falcon? You can do all of these things and more at the Wintergreen Studios’ 2nd Annual BioBlitz. BioBlitzes bring together expert and amateur naturalists to identify as many species as possible in 24 hours. Wintergreen’s BioBlitz will take place from 12 noon Saturday June 4 to 4pm Sunday June 5, and will feature guided hikes, kids’ programs, and identification (ID) workshops with live critters. Come one, come all, and help us crack 1,000 species this year! This event is free and open to the public. Wintergreen is located at 9780 Canoe Lake Road near Godfrey

The term “BioBlitz” was coined during the first 24-hour identification event, which took place at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, Washington, DC, in 1996. Early BioBlitzes were held to measure the biodiversity of a site, which gives insight into the health and productivity of an ecosystem. Now many BioBlitzes include nature-themed programs such as ID workshops, hikes, and kids’ activities to teach and excite the public about biodiversity. A combination of scientific survey and environmental education make for a fun, enriching outdoor experience!

Wintergreen has lined up many exciting workshops for this year’s BioBlitz, thanks to the work of Kate Belmore and Monica Capovilla, Queen’s Education students who are serving as the 2016 BioBlitz Co-Chairs.

Kenny Ruelland and Matt Ellerbeck (Save the Salamanders) are teaming up with their cold-blooded friends to educate participants on reptiles and amphibians. Amanda Tracey, a PhD candidate from Queen’s University, will get everyone wild about wildflower ID. Dr. Graham Whitelaw, also from Queen’s, will teach participants to branch out and learn about trees, forest plots, and biodiversity. Joanie Lamoureux from Parc Safari will get participants up close and personal with a peregrine falcon. “I’m so excited for the workshops,” says Kate Belmore, BioBlitz Co-Chair. “We don’t often get the chance to feel the texture of snake skin, or see the strength in falcons’ feet. Spending time around animals – especially ones that we might find scary – helps us to love and appreciate them. It’s important we understand that they’re not something to fear, but something to cherish and protect.”

What can guests to the BioBlitz expect as they gather at Wintergreen June 4th and 5th? Education and entertainment from our many ID workshops. Enriching kids’ activities such as pond studies, Earth art and bird calling. Guided hikes across Wintergreen’s 204 acres, showcasing its forests, meadows, ponds, marshes, granite outcroppings, and a glacier-carved lake. Identification help from a team of expert naturalists, including participants from Kingston Field Naturalists, Queen’s University, Conservation Ontario, and many more.

“There’s a recent study that demonstrates that most North American children can recognize 1,000 corporate logos, but can’t name a dozen local trees or plants or birds,” says Rena Upitis, Wintergreen’s Founding Director. “The BioBlitz gives us a chance to change that – we’d like children to recognize 1,000 species – or more! Why is this important? Because if you can name something, you begin to know it. And once you know something, and learn to love it, you will also take steps to protect it.”

Come to the BioBlitz for a few hours, or for the entire 24-hour period. If you bring a tent, in the evening you can watch the moths gather, or do a bit of stargazing. Info: Rena Upitis, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; 613-273-8745

Watersheds Canada, formerly Centre for Sustainable Watersheds, is looking for landowners in the Cataraqui Watershed to take part in their renowned Natural Edge program.

In spring 2016, Watersheds Canada, in partnership with Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority, received funding from the Great Lakes Guardian Community Fund to naturalize waterfront properties in the Cataraqui watershed. The program provides an Ecological Toolkit to landowners where they receive a planting of native trees, shrubs, groundcovers, and grasses along the water’s edge, as well as, a planting of a native wildflower garden, two bird boxes and two bat boxes.

Chloe Lajoie, Watersheds Canada’s Natural Edge Coordinator, explains: “Native species have adapted to regional environmental conditions and are preferred by local wildlife for shelter and food. Planting along shorelines helps to enhance local ecosystems and stabilize shorelines from erosion, and it improves water quality by filtering runoff.”

The program provides a free site visit with landowners to discuss shoreline concerns, provide recommendations and assess planting conditions. A personalized planting plan is created, which includes photos of selected planting areas and ideal plant species. Plants are ordered, delivered, planted and mulched and owners are provided with information, which outlines how to ensure the new vegetation thrives, as well as follow-up and support. Participating landowners are asked to contribute only 25 per cent of the total costs for their site.

“All advice is optional,” Lajoie adds. “The goals and wishes of the landowner drive the plan, and we work with landowners to complete projects that are economically feasible on a case-by-case basis. Watersheds Canada coordinates the ordering, delivery and planting, along with tools, materials and labour to complete the project. Landowners can participate in the planting, but it is optional and voluntary.”

This year, Watersheds Canada is seeking participants anywhere within the Cataraqui watershed, whether they are on a lake or river or have a creek running through their property.

“Our goal is to raise awareness and to take steps on waterfront properties to help reduce negative effects on the environment,” said Barbara King, ED. “If you have property in a highly developed area or know you have shoreline erosion issues, this is a great way to make improvements that will help water quality and habitat.”

Any landowner within the Cataraqui watershed who is interested in a free site visit should contact Chloe Lajoie at Watersheds Canada, 613-264-1244 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Spraying harmful chemicals on the roadsides begins May 30 – Clearview will be sprayed on the roadsides (Bolingbroke Rd., and several others near lakes, and rivers) to kill all the plants birds and bees need; Trilliums, Milkweed, wild strawberries, wild roses, and more. Can this killer get into your well? More information can be found at this page at Lanark County website: http://www.lanarkcounty.ca/Page1875.aspx Scroll down to the bottom where you can learn how to get a sign if you don’t want the County to spray near your land. This link tells you about what Clearview kills: http://www.lanarkcounty.ca/AssetFactory.aspx?did=6916

In some parts (maybe all) of the County a person is not allowed to build a cottage within 50 feet of a swamp, for fear of disturbing a turtle or a bird. Is it not then hypocritical, to coat them in a chemical when the truck comes by and kills them? Yes, it does kill wild parsnip and poison ivy too. For those of you who don’t have an opinion on the spraying, one way or the other; this is an opportunity for you to support your local farmers who produce the food you eat, and it costs nothing. Already there are 30 signs in the first 3 km north of Highway 7 on the Bolingbroke Rd.