The Manitoulin Phragmites Project Results of 2019 Work compiled by Judith Jones, Project Coordinator, October 2019

Volunteers and Phrag Project team controlling Phragmites at Mud Bay, Cockburn Island

Phragmites (“frag-MITE-eeze”) is a hugely tall, European grass that has been spreading aggressively on shorelines and in wetlands in our area. Phragmites can quickly grow into dense patches which eventually wipe out all other vegetation. It is a serious threat to property values, recreation, tourism, biodiversity, and aesthetics. Southern has lost hectares and hectares of beaches and other natural habitat to Phragmites. The Manitoulin Phragmites Project was started to make sure this does not happen here! We have just finished our 4th season of work on Manitoulin, Cockburn, and Great Duck Islands.

You are receiving this letter because there is Phragmites on your property or in your jurisdiction, or because you have been involved with the project. We want you to know where the Phragmites is or was (page 4), what has been done, and how the results turned out. We also want to talk about the future to ensure we maintain what has been achieved.

The work of the Project has been EXTREMELY SUCCESSFUL! You can see some striking before and after photos on our Facebook page: Manitoulin Phragmites Project. On , all of the shore from South Baymouth to the Mississaugi Lighthouse is completely clear of Phragmites except the mouth of Blue Jay Creek and the bay east of Burnt Island. On Cockburn Island and Great Duck Island, all sand dune habitat is now clear of Phrag. Across the region, landowners and cottagers have really stepped up to help. More than 80 people helped at work bees in 2019, and more than 30 people have agreed to keep watch on control areas and to remove any new Phrag that may crop up. We are so lucky to live and work in such a great community.

The stats: In 2019, 40 sites with species at risk (SAR) and 34 non-SAR sites had Phragmites under control or completely eradicated; another 5 sites were partially under control. No work was needed in 2019 at 31 previous work sites. Since 2016, we've worked over 80 sites. The project has been successful beyond our wildest expectations! Many more people know about Phragmites. More than 150 people came to presentations, and we received 9 reports of Phrag locations from the general public. It's actually hard to get the shopping done now because so many people want to stop and 1 discuss the Phrag situation. Awesome! The Invasive Phragmites Control Centre brought the two Truxor cutting machines to work with us for five days in August (video on our Facebook page). We have now cleared about 1/3 of the top of South Bay, and almost all of the 17 hectares of Phragmites that was at Michael's Bay in 2016. There is still a lot of work to go in both of these places, but this is a huge step forward. We worked with MTO on control of Phrag in the highway construction zones between Honora and Kagawong. MTO also attempted control on other local highway roadsides, but the work was done after the growing season, so we'll see if any of it was effective. Fuel the Fire TV helped us film a short video on how to control Phrag that will go up on YouTube during the winter.

Has the Project reached its goals? Our primary goal has been: to knock Phragmites back to a low enough level that it can be kept in check regular people with a modest amount of annual maintenance. That means dealing with your Phrag will be a small annual task like cleaning the eaves troughs or mowing the ditches. We have nearly reached the goal for Lake Huron and shorelines and for SAR habitat! We still have a ways to go in a few other areas, especially in Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory (WUT) which has a lot of Phrag and mostly in hard to access areas. Another goal: by the fall of 2019 we wanted to have almost all sites that can be managed without large machinery under control. Yes, we are very close! with the exception of WUT and a few new sites just begun in 2019.

Where do we go from here? This year is the end of the Project's 3-year funding cycle, but it seems silly to stop working when we are so close to having Phragmites fully under control across our region. In partnership with Manitoulin Streams, the Manitoulin Phragmites Project has begun applying for funding for 2020 and possibly 2021. Phragmites is not going to go away, so the goal of the next cycle will be to ensure that what has been achieved will be maintained for the long-term.

Here's how you can help keep the Island Phrag-free: wDON'T DRIVE THROUGH PHRAGMITES! Brush off or spray down ATV tires before leaving home. Clean heavy machinery prior to going to a jobsite (spray down wheels, tracks, wheel wells, bucket, pinch points, etc.). It may take an extra 10 to 15 minutes but could save thousands of dollars in Phrag cleanup. When pulling weeds off boat props, throw the material into the boat not into the water, and dispose of it on land. Phragmites is mainly spread by fragments stuck to things, so these actions are critical to preventing more spread. wHire summer students and put control of Phragmites in their job description. We'll be happy to come and show them what to do. The Truxor cutting machines removed all of these large patches of Phragmites from the mouth of Blue Jay Creek in 2019. wAsk us to train your public works staff about Phragmites control in ditches and work areas, including about how and when to clean machinery. wTake note of any Phragmites in your area and report it to us (if you haven’t already). We'll help you figure out what to do and work with you to get it under control. wRead our simple info pamphlet available on our Facebook page (@manitoulinphrag) to find out about methods of control. wJoin us July 17-22, 2020 for Manitoulin Phragmites Week. Ask us to host a work bee in your area or to make a house call to your property. 2 The Manitoulin Phragmites Project is sponsored by:

The Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk (Environment and Climate Change ) Ontario Species at Risk Stewardship Fund Nature Conservancy Canada Manitoulin Transport The Gosling Foundation The Invasive Phragmites Control Centre Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy Manitoulin Streams Township of Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory Municipality of Township of Cockburn Island Cockburn Island Sports and Conservation Club Ontario Parks And a host of local volunteers THANK YOU!

Success! Kaboni Beach, Wiikwemkoong Territory, after four years of control work. A beautiful new sandy beach is forming.

3 List of sites where Phragmites is present, control status, whether actions have been done (Yes; No), and what is still needed. Please report any Phragmites locations not listed to us by email. Green sites have Phragmites under control or eradicated. * denotes Species at Risk habitat. SITE NAME Actions Actions Actions Actions COMMENTS (alphabetical by municipality or 2016 2017 2018 2019 First Nation) Aundeck Omni Kaning First Nation Y by Late season spraying by MTO Surveyed Surveyed N Highway 540 ditches MTO Lake Road Y N N N Not visited in 2019. Bidwell Rd ditch near Scotch Line Y N N Y Under control; Mowed by Project staff Under control; landowners have Surveyed Y Y assumed responsibility for most of site. Clover Valley* & Leask Bay Requires some follow up. Corbett's Beach Road Surveyed Y N Eradicated; further work not needed Highway 6 south and north of Y by Y by Late season spraying by MTO Y N Manitowaning MTO MTO Manitowaning Bay, off Cardwell Under control; adjacent landowners Y Y Y Y St. have assumed responsibility for site. 1/2 of very large infestation removed. Surveyed Y Y Priority to finish in 2020. Landowners McLennen's Creek mouth working with project on control. Under control; volunteers have Y Y Rogers Creek mouth* assumed responsibility for site. Extensive patches and no public Surveyed N N N access; control probably impossible Turtle Lake south without machinery and long-term plan. Billings Under control; landowners have Y Y Y Y Hideaway Lodge shoreline assumed responsibility for site. Maple Point Road Y Y N Eradicated; further work not needed. Mud Creek Road* Y Y Y Under control; needs steward Several patches on the roadsides. Y N N N 10th Line ditches Needs work in 2020. Burpee-Mills Under control; volunteers have Y Y Y Campbell Bay assumed responsibility for site. Campbell Road ditch Surveyed N N Road ditches. Needs work in 2020. East of Portage Bay* Y Y N Eradicated; further work not needed Portage Bay—East* Y Y Y N Eradicated; further work not needed Portage Bay—West* Y N N N Eradicated; further work not needed Marshy shoreline with large patches. Surveyed N N Lake Wolsey south & west Needs assessment and control plan. Marshy lake with large patches and N N restricted access. Needs assessment Marsh Lake and control plan. Y - ON Under control Y Y Y Misery Bay east side of bay* Parks Y - ON Under control Y Y Y Misery Bay west side of bay Parks Murphy Harbour* Y Y Y N Eradicated; further work not needed. Taskerville East Y N Eradicated; further work not needed. Twilight Isle Marsh Y Under control; needs steward Central Manitoulin Under control; adjacent landowners Surveyed Y Shoreline east of Timber Bay have assumed responsibility for site. Under control; adjacent landowners Surveyed Y Hughson Bay have assumed responsibility for site. Shoreline east of Providence Bay Y Y N Eradicated; further work not needed

4 Providence Bay* Y Y N N Eradicated; further work not needed Dean Bay* Y N N N Eradicated; further work not needed Work needed in 2020. Several patches Surveyed N The Sand Lakes in inland marshes Lonely Bay* Y Y N Eradicated; further work not needed. Lougheed's Bay* Y Y N Eradicated; further work not needed. Not visited in 2019; presumed Y Y N Square Bay* eradicated; needs steward Dominion Bay* Y Y N Eradicated; further work not needed. Highway 542 ditch W of Spring Y by Late season spraying by MTO Y Surveyed N Bay MTO Ketchankookem Trail roadside Under control; landowner mows area; Surveyed Y N ditch needs monitoring. Lake Mindemoya water treatment Eradicated; further work not needed. Y Y N plant Lake Mindemoya at 551 rest area Y Y Y Y Under control; needs steward Mud Lake Fen Y Y Y Under control; needs steward Cockburn Island Small sandy bay east of Sand Bay Y Y N N Eradicated; further work not needed. SW side of point S of small sandy Eradicated; further work not needed. Y Y N bay Sand Bay* Y Y Y Y Under control;' far west end spaded Sand Lake Y Y Under control; needs steward Doc Hewson Bay* Y Y Y Y Under control; Edge of fen spaded Lakeshore Road (14th) shoreline Y Y Y N Eradicated; further work not needed. Mud Bay, Cockburn Island Y Y Surveyed Y Under control; requires follow up 2020 Survey- Awaiting DNA results for decision on

Cranberry Bog ed need for control Pitman Point wetland Surveyed N Large area requires long-term strategy Under control; spading, cutting, Y Y Ricketts Harbour* herbicide treatment. Survey- Awaiting DNA results for decision on

Robb Lake ed need for control Robinson Bay Surveyed N Eradicated; further work not needed. Tolsmaville; Otter Bay Y Y Y N Eradicated; further work not needed. Survey- Awaiting DNA results for decision on

Little Wagosh Lake ed need for control Survey- Awaiting DNA results for decision on

Wagosh North Fen ed need for control Wagosh Bay, Cockburn Island* Y N N N Eradicated; further work not needed. Y by Under control; patch sprayed Surveyed Surveyed 9th Conc. ditches NCC 10th Side Road ditch Y N N Eradicated; further work not needed. 12th Conc. ditch west of airstrip Y Y N N Eradicated; further work not needed. Dawson Y- ON Under control Surveyed Y East Belanger Bay* Parks Y - ON Under control Y Y Y West Belanger Bay* Parks Gordon-Barrie Island Barrie Island Causeway N N N Y Control begun by volunteers 10th Line ditches Y N N N Roadside patches could be sprayed. Campbell Bay at end of Conc. 4 Y Y Y Y Under control; needs steward Large patches in water; could be brush Y N N N Julia Bay boat launch cut but needs land support. Julia Bay swimming beach Surveyed Y Y Under control; needs steward Y by Late season spraying by MTO? Y N N Ice Lake Causeway* MTO? Unsure of whether area was dry. Lake Wolsey North Surveyed N N Marshy shoreline with large patches. 5 Needs assessment and control plan. Under control; Adjacent landowners Y have assumed responsibility for site; Salmon Bay off Whitetail Dr. follow up work still needed. Town of Gore Bay Gore Bay waterfront across from Surveyed 2019; not found Surveyed N N N Gordon’s Lodge Stream course on 540B east of Requires shovel work and contact with Surveyed N N Wright St. landowners M'Chigeeng First Nation Highway 540 roadside west of Y by Under control; needs follow up Surveyed Y Y M.S.S. MTO Large patches at edge of trail; could be N N Highway 551 pedestrian trail sprayed during dry season Northeastern Manitoulin and Islands Bass Lake on Town Line Road Y Y Under control; spading; needs steward Freer Point and shoreline west of Under control; volunteers have Y N Y Y Tilson’s* assumed responsibility for site. Highway 6 across Great Cloche Data given to MTO for control work. Y N N N? Island* Unsure whether site was done Y by Late season spraying by MTO Y N Highway 6 ditch on Ferguson's Hill MTO Under control; adjacent landowners Honora shoreline (S and W of Y Y have assumed responsibility for site. Freer Point to M'Chigeeng) Requires monitoring Eradicated; further work not needed. Y Y Y N Low Island High use area may need monitoring. Under control; landowners have Sheguiandah Bay—from Gov't Y Y Y assumed responsibility for part of site; Dock to Green Acres needs additional stewards Trotter’s Side Road beside Not visited in 2019; needs assessment Y N N Rolston Quarry Extensive patches and no public Surveyed N N N access; control probably impossible Turtle Lake North without machinery and long-term plan. North Channel Drive ditch Y N N N Not visited in 2019; needs assessment Strawberry Channel south of Control begun; follow up required. 5 N Y N Y White's Pt. north of Rolstons' large patches; 1 done in 2019 Strawberry Island western Y - ON Control begun; European form only Surveyed Surveyed shoreline* Parks Under control; adjacent landowners have assumed responsibility for site. N Y Y Y Requires monitoring due to continued White's Point* presence to the south Horseshoe Bay, Great Duck Is.* Y Y Y N Under control; needs steward Old harbour, Great Duck Island Surveyed N Large patch needs assessment Robinson Y Under control; Needs follow up Y Beaver Meadows* herbicide hand-treatment in 2020 E of Black Point* Y N Surveyed Y Under control; needs steward Y Control begun; 2 large patches; Surveyed Surveyed Burnt Island Bay requires follow up work Under control; adjacent landowners Y Surveyed N Y Carroll Wood Bay* have assumed responsibility for site. Christina Bay* Y Y N N Eradicated; further work not needed. Fisher Bay* Y Surveyed Y N Eradicated; further work not needed. Ivan Point* N Y N N Not visited; presumed eradicated Misery Bay west of Ironside Eradicated; further work not needed. Y N N N Beach Presumed under control; Not visited; Y Y N N Sand (Hensley) Bay* needs checking Y by Late season spraying by MTO? N N Highway 540 Silver Water ditch MTO? Unsure of whether area was dry. 6 Highway 6 south of Ogimaa Y by Y by Late season spraying by MTO? Surveyed Surveyed Miikan corner MTO? MTO? Unsure of whether area was dry. Pow-wow Grounds Y Y Y Y Under control; needs steward Ogimaa Miikan Surveyed Surveyed N N Needs treatment summer 2020 Tehkummah Under control; volunteers have Y Y Y Frood Harbour assumed responsibility for the site Y part Late season spraying by MTO? of area Unsure of whether area was dry. Surveyed Surveyed Highway 6 south of Lakeshore by Some of area is back on private Road MTO? property; requires landowner contact Planned for work 2019 but not done; Surveyed N Roadside ditch could be sprayed in Lakeshore Road North 2020 McKim Bay Y Y Under control; needs steward Michael's Bay Manitou R. to Blue Under control; needs steward Y Y Y Y Jay Cr.* 5 barge loads removed. Approx 1/3 of Michael's Bay South of Blue Jay Y Y Y Y phrag patches remain; requires Creek* extensive brush cutting. Planned for work 2019 but not done; Surveyed N Large patch in lagoon outflow. Could South Baymouth sewage lagoon be sprayed in dry season of 2020. Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory Andrew's Place beach Surveyed Surveyed N N Large patches need assessment Under control; needs steward Beach Road Surveyed Y Y Survey- At least three large patches

Big Burnt Island; south shore ed Buzwah savannahs above 2 Remote area needs several days of Surveyed N Y O'Clock work; requires ATV to access Cape Smith Survey- Large patches accessible only by boat shoreline ed Truxor work; 3 western bays now clear. One of the largest infestations. Surveyed Y Y Head of South Bay: Clover Valley Requires more work with machinery to Pheasant's Creek* and long-term management plan. Large patch covers more than 2 ha. Surveyed Surveyed N N Will require machinery or large time Jacko Bay* committment to control. Kaboni Beach* Y Y Y Y Under control; needs steward Kaboni and South Bay Roads Surveyed Y N Liaising with public works is planned King's Bay roadside ditches Y N Not visited; requires follow up Large patches require a coordinated Surveyed N plan for brush cutter work. Will require Little Thomas Bay* more than a week of brush cutting. Presumed eradicated; no further work Y Surveyed Y N M'nishensing* needed; needs steward Prairie Point* Y Y Under control; needs steward Survey- Numerous small patches and a few

Small bays south of Prairie Point ed large ones; boat access only Wiky (Smith) Bay including Extensive coverage of several Gordies Beach, mouth of Mebineh Surveyed N N hectares; will require machinery and a Creek to water treatment plant long-term management plan South Bay Road at Pheasant's Y Mostly under control; work still Y Y Y Creek* required in willows at east side N Patches in lake presumed eradicated; Y N Y Tamarack Harbour* Patches on roadside need work N Eradicated; further work not needed; Y Y Y Thomas Bay* needs steward

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