THE GRAND STRATEGY NEWSLETTER Volume 10, Number 4 - Sept/October 2005

Grand The Grand: Conservation A Canadian Authority Heritage River

Features Invisible 1 Bald eagles return to the Grand 3

Milestones Ruthven coach house 4 Upper Grand Trailway opens 5

Look Who’s Taking Action Greentec helps with outdoor education 5 Heritage award 6 Finding the Invisible Mississaugas What’s Happening of Davisville Trails workshop 6 Latornell symposium 6 By Gary Warrick While archaeological research up until 2003 Wilfrid Laurier University (funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Now Available Research Council of ) found and Stewardship Guide 7 The watershed is overflowing unearthed the Mohawk households of Davisville, Samuel’s Message 7 with archaeological remains, says Gary Warrick, evidence of the Mississaugas remained hidden. New EIS an archaeology professor at the cam- Both groups had co-existed peacefully on the Guidelines 7 pus of Wilfrid Laurier University. (He is also a Grand River since the 1780s and lived together at member of the Grand Strategy Heritage Working Davisville in 1825-26. Did you know 8 Group.) His excavation of a Six Nations settle- During the summer of 2004, a ment in Brantford dating to 1800-1835 was out- encampment was identified and test excavated, The Grand lined in an earlier Grand Actions article and revealing an interesting portrait of hunter-gather- Strategy Calendar 8 offered a fascinating picture of aboriginal life in er life in early 19th century . the early 1800s. This second article is about Ojibwa-speakers who have inhabited southern Cover photo: excavations related to the Mississaugas, who had Ontario since 1700, the Mississaugas lived on the Archaeologist Gary a very low impact on the Grand. Warrick and his daugh- north shore of , where they fought ter Courtney work with the Five (now Six) Nations over hunting and together on an o an archaeologist, the Mississauga occupa- trapping territory. By the 18th and early 19th excavation site. Ttion of the Grand River watershed is essen- century, they occupied the north shore of Lake tially invisible. Ontario, the Grand River watershed and the have lived there between the summer of beaver, freshwater drum, redhorse, stur- 1825 and the spring of 1826. But there is geon, bass, and passenger pigeon. No little historical documentation of their domestic species were identified. lives: a brief mention of church service The archaeological remnants of the attendance, plough demonstrations, mis- Davisville 3 Mississauga encampment sion house construction, jacklight fishing looks identical to hunter-gatherer camps and deer hunting. There is also a men- in northern Canada, which also have tion that the Mississaugas lived in tents smashed, burned bone (90 per cent of or wigwams within earshot of the food bone is heat-altered), few artifacts Methodist mission house. (primarily glass beads and lead shot), This Ojibwa encampment in 1845 by Paul Kane is similar to the Mississauga Most returned to the Credit River and dense concentrations of refuse sur- encampment at Davisville. Mission in the spring of 1826 to wait for rounded by relatively clean areas. log cabins promised by the British gov- Northern hunter-gatherers kept their liv- Niagara Peninsula. Each year they lived ernment. A year later, 20 cabins were ing areas extremely clean. in five different places: maple sugar occupied by 205 Misssissaugas (two The traditional hunter-gatherer nature camps in late winter, villages at the families per cabin). A few Mississauga of the 1825-26 Mississauga residents of mouth of for fishing during families remained at Davisville as late as Davisville is striking, considering that spring, villages on river flats next to Jan. 10, 1827. six months after leaving, they were liv- fields of maize and potato during sum- An archaeological survey in 2002 ing in log cabins and plowing fenced mer, deer hunting camps in the mid- resulted in the discovery of several dis- fields on the Credit River. summer and fall, and hunting and trap- tinct concentrations of burned bone. Two Compared to their Six Nations neigh- ping camps during the winter. test pits produced over 100 pieces of bours, the Mississaugas owned few In 1787, about 500 Mississaugas bone each and flanked Davisville 2, one material possessions and carried camp lived at the western end of . of the Mohawk cabins that was partially gear on their backs, like modern wilder- But measles, smallpox, tuberculosis and excavated in 2001-02. ness campers. They left few permanent alcohol abuse had reduced the popula- traces. Throughout the 18th and 19th tion to 200 by 1819. Fishing and hunting Remarkable find century, Mississaugas hunted, fished, had become difficult due to settlement In 2003, one bone concentration gardened, and camped on the banks of and land clearance, according to histori- (Davisville 3) 70 metres upriver of the Grand River, especially on the flood- cal accounts from the early 1820s. Their Davisville 2 was tested with six one- plains and forested uplands of Kitchener way of life was threatened. metre square units using mesh sieves. Waterloo, Blair, Cambridge and Davisville was administered by The results were remarkable – a layer of Brantford. Methodist missionary Alvin Torry. A bone 35 cm below surface and four cm This invisibility of their ancestors is a frequent visitor was thick in three of the units. Excavated source of pride for contemporary (Kahkewaquonaby), born in 1802 to soil sifted through screen produced Mississaugas. The light ecological foot- British surveyor and 14,000 pieces of bone from one square! print they left stands in marked contrast Tuhbenahneequay, a Mississauga The only post-contact artifacts were a to the farms and settlements of 19th cen- woman from the Credit River com- piece of iron scrap, a strike-a-light (for tury Ontario. When talking about the munity. fire starting) fashioned on local chert, Ontario heritage, it is important to Jones converted to in and a piece of lead shot. remember the Aboriginal heritage buried 1823 and became friends with Mohawk In 2004, 18 additional one-metre in the ground and in the remembered Chief . In the spring of squares were excavated at Davisville 3 stories of the Six Nations and 1824, the Credit River Mississaugas and the soil from 15 of them was Mississaugas of New Credit. were invited to Davisville by Jones, who flushed through screen using water. This hoped to demonstrate that to survive, produced 22,732 bone fragments, 44 they had to become settled Methodist lead shot, 13 glass seed beads, three farmers. gunflint flakes, two pieces of a blue- Some accepted the invitation and edged ceramic plate, one piece each of moved in early 1824. In the spring of iron, lead and brass scrap, and one shell 1825 about 35 Mississaugas arrived and, wampum bead (string wampum). by the summer, 45 more joined them. Despite the highly fragmented and The Jan. 10, 1826, census lists 79 burned condition of the bone, over 90 Mississaugas as Davisville residents, per cent of it was identified as mammal, Davisville 3 site excavations. although as many as 100 to 150 may with species including deer, muskrat,

2 Share the resources - Share the responsibility The volunteer observers use a formal Bald eagles protocol and are looking for specific information such as the number of adults return to the and sub-adults overwintering in the area, the eagles’ flight paths up and down the Grand River river, where they perch during the day to hunt, what they eat, where they roost at By Bob Scott, Exceptional Waters Coordinator, night and the effects of ice cover on and Tony Zammit, GRCA Ecologist their distribution. The volunteers moni- tor the river for eagles from 12 locations ald eagles are living proof that the every other Saturday during the winter. Bquality of the Grand River is Using telescopes and binoculars, they improving. keep at least 300 metres away so as not In recent years eagles have been stay- to disturb the eagles. This winter, addi- ing around the middle Grand between tional observers in the Brantford area early December and March or April. plan to begin monitoring, extending the Historically, the eagle population rad- coverage to south of Brantford. ically declined throughout North Bald eagle. Spotting an eagle America and even disappeared from (Photo by Dave Jolly) southern Ontario by the 1970s. This was You can identify an eagle by its large due to high levels of contaminants, espe- be seen as far south as the size and wide wing span, which can be cially the pesticide DDT, that built up in area, where they are nesting, and as far greater than two metres. The wings are fish, which are the eagle's main food. north as Luther Marsh. During the win- held straight across rather than arched. A ter months, they are frequently seen The eagle eggs either didn't hatch or the main identification for adult eagles is the between the north end of Cambridge and young had deformities, such as crossed snow white head and tail, which can be the Cockshutt Bridge in the south end of beaks, which prevented them from prominent against a blue sky. Brantford. This area is attractive to them growing into adults. It takes four to five years for an eagle because sections of the water do not But DDT was banned, and from 1983 to develop a white head and tail, so freeze solid, due to a combination of rif- to 1987 the Canadian Wildlife Service, young eagles can be difficult to identify. fles and the influx of groundwater that Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Like hawks, eagles soar on thermal provides enough warm water to keep the and GRCA co-operated to successfully updrafts without moving their wings for river from freezing. This makes the reintroduce bald eagles. Over the four- extended periods. They tend to circle healthy fish population accessible to the year span of the project, 32 eaglets were around, each time moving higher in the eagles, which will also scavenge dead released at the Long Point National sky. It takes a sharp eye and patience to animals and occasionally take geese or Wildlife Area and Taquanyah sight an eagle, often with a measure of ducks when fish are not available. Conservation Area, near Cayuga. Eaglets plain luck thrown in. Be patient and were transplanted from the healthy pop- Monitoring bald eagles keep an eye to the sky. Seasoned watch- ers look way up and perceive lots that ulation on the shores of Lake of the A group of volunteers, many with others miss. Woods in northwestern Ontario and close ties to the Kitchener Waterloo Bald eagles generally stay with one released on the north shore of . Field Naturalists and rare (formerly mate, unless the mate dies or disappears, The intention was to augment the eagle Cruickston Charitable Research which prompts the remaining bird to population on the Erie lakeshore and Reserve), have been monitoring bald help them re-establish. eagles during the winter for several According to Bird Studies Canada, years along the reaches of the Grand the number of successful nests along the River between Kitchener and Paris. north shore of Lake Erie has increased “The information we gather during from less than five in 1980 to nearly 20 our monitoring is passed on to Art in 2000. Bald eagles in southern Ontario Timmerman of the Ontario Ministry of produce on average about 1.3 young per Natural Resources, who also receives active nest. New eagle territories have anecdotal observations from people up been established in areas that have not and down the watershed,” says Bill been occupied since the late 1970s. Wilson of Cambridge, who coordinates Eagle in a tree in the southern Grand. The result is that bald eagles can now the group along with his wife, Heather. (Photo by Derek Morningstar)

GRAND ACTIONS • September/October 2005 3 MILESTONES on the site — the mansion, gate house and coach house — were conserved, and the building envelopes were made water- Milestones are progress or products of The Grand Strategy Joint Work Plan. tight to deter any further deterioration. Washrooms and a kitchen were put into Ruthven’s $2 million the coach house for the convenience of visitors, program enhancements and bar- transformation rier-free access. A $2-million conservation project at Ruthven was designated a national Ruthven Park, a national historic site historic site in 1998, because it is a fine overlooking the Grand River near example of a country estate laid out by David Thompson I (born in 1793), who Young bald eagle on a cold January day. Cayuga, has been completed. (Photo by John Millman) The completion was celebrated on a was a principal promoter of the Grand hot, humid day with the official reopen- River Navigation Company and elected seek another. Adult females lay one to ing of the 1840s Coach House at the to the Legislative Assembly of Upper three whitish eggs in an enormous nest park. Ruthven is the former home of the Canada, serving as 's constructed of branches high in a tree. Thompson family, who owned the 1,500 first member in 1841. Future generations The eggs are incubated for 35 days by acre (607 hectare) estate near Cayuga continued to play an important role in both adults. The young are fed for 10 to for five generations, from the 1840s Canada's political and military history. 12 weeks until they have developed until 1993. The mansion is in the Classical Greek feathers and learned to fly. Eagles can “With this restoration, a Canadian Revival style of architecture. The coach live up to 28 years in the wild and 36 or cultural and natural historic treasure will house was built around the same time as more years in captivity. be preserved for future generations to the mansion, and it was in such poor Tags can often be seen on their legs. experience and enjoy,” said of shape that it had been propped up by If you see one with a tag, please note the Environment Stephane Dion. support beams since the mid-1990s. colour and whether it is on the right or The conservation project was admin- These blocked the doorway to the tack left leg and report this information to the istered by the Lower Grand River Land room, so no one could go inside until GRCA or Bird Studies Canada. Check Trust Inc., the non-profit organization to renovations began. the birding section of our website, which the family donated to the land An archaeologist worked closely with www.grandriver.ca, for details on report- trust in 1994. They provided half the the team to help find out how the build- ing rare species. funds through the interest on the endow- ing was constructed as well as how the Our best sightings have been happen- ment and other funds, such as admission uses of the building changed over time. stance. While driving across the high and special events, says Marilynn The site is open to the public, who level bridge in Paris, an eagle was flying Havelka, the chief administrative officer may tour the mansion, enjoy the grounds up river of the bridge and it gave a at the park. The other $1 million came or walk on the trails. tremendous flypast. Other sightings in from Parks Canada, Department of To find out more about the park, call the Paris area have been very high. At Canadian Heritage. Ruthven at (905) 772-0560 or visit the the footbridge in south Cambridge, The important 19th century buildings park’s web site at www.ruthvenpark.ca. while watching a red-tailed hawk in flight with binoculars, an eagle was spotted so far above that it was only a speck in the sky, visible only with binoc- ulars. Eagles have been seen perched in riverside trees in the Paris area and spot- ted by a shopper from the window of a Paris store. Though common and widespread in northern Ontario, the bald eagle is still considered a rare breeder in southern Coach house at Ruthven Before...and after: Held up by posts since the 1990s, the Ontario, and is currently listed as an coach house is now restored. It is now the location of a kitchen and washroom endangered species in Ontario. facilities.

4 Share the resources - Share the responsibility New trailway opens from members of the community. Many cartridges are used annually in Canada volunteers, including 40 high school stu- and those received by Greentec are sort- in Upper Grand dents, worked on the project. ed, tested and sent back to the manufac- The 10.5-km Upper Grand Trailway For more information, e-mail turers to be reused. Any that can't be officially opened Sept. 17 after three [email protected] or call (519) 928- reused are broken down into their raw years of planning. 2973 or (519) 928-2464. materials and made into new products. The community wasted no time in The cell phones collected are sold for putting it to good use, because the next LOOK WHO’S reuse, reducing the number that end up day they held their first annual Terry TAKING ACTION in landfill sites. Fox Run on the trail. The trail is just Cartridges that go to the landfill site south of Luther Marsh Wildlife are made from high quality plastic that Management Area and runs north of Greentec supports takes thousands of years to decompose, County Road 109, extending from the outdoor education while cell phones contain lead, Perrotta says. Both types of e-waste emit toxic hamlet of Waldemar in Amaranth A Cambridge company, Greentec Township to the East Luther West contaminants that can leach into water. International Inc., is partnering with the While the bulk of these recyclable Luther Townline. Grand River Conservation Foundation The Trailway was built on the foun- items come to Greentec from companies (GRCF) to raise an anticipated $200,000 that receive payment for them, about dation of 114 years of transportation his- for outdoor education by the end of tory. This section of the former 10,000 groups from across North 2007. America also collect the items to raise Canadian Pacific Railway was built in The fundraising will take place 1870 to serve East Luther Grand Valley money for themselves or other organiza- through the company’s fundraising divi- tions through Greentec's Thinkgreen until the last freight train passed through sion, Thinkgreen. in 1984. Ownership of the right-of-way division, the charitable side of the com- was turned over to the township in 1998 pany started in 2002. and a small group of citizens started Through Thinkgreen, the company working on turning it into a multi-use supplies everything a group needs to run recreational trail in 2001. a collection program and also covers A key element of the trail is a shipping costs. Thinkgreen has diverted $48,400 pedestrian bridge over Boyne over 540,000 cartridges and cell phones Creek that replaced a bridge removed from landfill sites. It has also provided when the railway abandoned the line. It nearly $900,000 to its participants. was paid for with a grant from the Now, Greentec is making the GRCF Ontario Trillium Foundation and helps its charity of choice under the "bridge the gap" with several other Thinkgreen program, encouraging new trails, including the Trans Canada Trail and existing participants to donate the –Elora Cataract Trailway. rebates they receive to the Foundation. “My mom was the founder of it. She The aim is to raise $200,000 for the had a vision four years ago to preserve it Living Classroom — Campaign for as a green belt,” says Kim Davison, co- Outdoor Education by the end of 2007. chair of the Upper Grand Trailway Tony Perrotta with boxes of inkjet car- “We are really thrilled to have Association (UGTA). tridges to be recycled. Greentec involved,” says Living Classroom Campaign chair Marilyn Financial support came from the “I always had a passion for the envi- Ministry of Recreation and Tourism Murray. “They have a remarkable long- ronment and always wanted to have my term vision for the environmental health ($6,000), TD Friends of the own business,” says company president Environment Foundation ($1,000 for of our community – for the land itself, Tony Perrotta. “I really fell in love with and for the education of our future envi- birdhouses) and the Grand River what I'm doing, the environmental Conservation Foundation's community ronmental ambassadors. The Foundation aspect of it.” is grateful for the major role they are grant ($2,000) which paid for seedlings Greentec started in his garage 10 that were planted last year, Davison playing in helping kids to learn about years ago and now receives print car- the natural world we all share.” says. tridges and used cell phones from across The UGTA launched a fundraising Greentec wants to raise environmen- North America and Europe at its new tal awareness, starting with the younger campaign and found several corporate Cambridge facility. About 30 million sponsors as well as many contributions generation.

GRAND ACTIONS • September/October 2005 5 “Greentec has been supportive of the 2004. The award also cites her for her The workshop will provide partici- GRCF for a number of years through the contributions to Grand Actions and for pants with updates on a host of trail Thinkgreen program,” Sara Wilbur, compiling the annual Grand Actions issues, including information about the director of development at the Registry. Ontario Trails Strategy. There will be a Foundation, says. “Now they are taking The award is named in honour of the report on gaps in the existing trails net- a big next step by expanding the pro- late Dr. Steckle and was first presented work. Small group activities will allow gram into the community. in 2003. participants to provide their ideas about “Outdoor education is an important Veale received how we can ensure that critical links are part of a child’s life. We need leaders one of two special built. like Greentec to make sure that these awards this year— Registration is limited to 100 on a programs are sustained and to promote a the second went to first-come, first-served basis. greener community by minimizing how Leon Bensason, the Registration is $40. Registrations will be much we contribute to landfill.” heritage planner in accepted until Oct. 14. For more infor- Through partnerships with Tree Kitchener who mation, contact Lawrence Murphy, Canada and American Forests, Barb Veale received the Sally Wellington-Dufferin- Health Thinkgreen sponsors the planting of one Thorson Award of Unit, 125 Delhi St., Guelph, ON, N1E tree seedling for every 12 recyclable car- Excellence for his work to establish the 4J5, or call (519) 821-2370 ext. 2264 or tridges or cell phones that are returned. City of Kitchener’s heritage planning To date, 19,500 trees have been planted, functions and positions. Latornell removing over 3,000 tonnes of carbon The five recipients of the 2004 Symposium from the atmosphere. Next spring for Awards of Excellence of the Waterloo Earth Week, Tree Canada is expected to Regional Heritage Foundation were The A. D. Latornell Conservation plant trees on GRCA property. Marg Rowell (Waterloo), Bob Rowell Symposium is Ontario's most prestigious To register, organizations can contact (Waterloo), and well-attended conservation confer- Natalie Cutler, manager of the School of Architecture (Cambridge), ence. Thinkgreen program, at (888) 265-2895 Caitlin Jo Reuse (Wilmot Township) and It attracts over 800 delegates includ- ext. 255, or visit the web site at Pat Rosebrugh (Cambridge). ing international researchers and practi- www.thinkgreen.com tioners, conservation authorities, federal and provincial agencies, municipalities, Heritage award WHAT’S university students, private businesses for Veale HAPPENING? and community groups. This year marks the 12th anniversary Barbara Veale, co-ordinator of policy of the symposium. It will be held at the planning and partnerships for the Trails workshop Nottawasaga Inn and Conference Centre GRCA, received the Dr. Jean Steckle Oct. 21 in Alliston, from Nov. 16 to 18. Award for heritage education from the Safe and plentiful water resources are Waterloo Regional Heritage Foundation. On Friday, Oct. 21, a second trails critical to all aspects of our lives, and The award was provided for Veale's workshop will focus on trail links for the protecting these resources is the key to work in educating watershed residents Waterloo-Wellington-Dufferin area and ensuring the health of all Ontarians. The about the heritage features and values of will be held at the Grand River theme for this year’s symposium is the Grand River watershed and Waterloo Conservation Authority head office in Healthy Waters, Healthy Communities. Region. Veale is a long-time employee Cambridge. It will explore the important links of the GRCA who led the designation The theme for the workshop is Vital between water and health across a num- process for the Grand River as a Connections for Healthy Communities. ber of different sectors, including source Canadian Heritage River in 1994. She is The keynote speaker will be John water protection, natural heritage, sus- a lead organizer for the annual Heritage Bellini, President and CEO for the Trans tainable planning, forests, fisheries and Day Workshop held each February in Canada Trails Foundation. Other speak- land management. different parts of the watershed. She ers include Dr. Liana Nolan, medical With Ontario’s continually growing chaired the organizing committee for the officer of health for the Region of population and an escalating demand for fourth Canadian River Heritage Waterloo, Hugh Handy, Senior Associate limited resources, watershed managers Conference in 2004 and led a public par- Planner with the GSP Group, and Louie today face an increasingly complex chal- ticipation process to develop the Ten Di Palma, Director of Recreation, lenge of balancing three sometimes- Year Monitoring Report submitted to the Ministry of Health Promotion. competing interests: economic, human, Canadian Heritage Rivers Board in

6 Share the resources - Share the responsibility and environmental. stewardship are outlined, a strong mes- money is expected to come through the Protecting human health must take sage of the book is to seek advice from Grand River Conservation Foundation in priority, however, and healthy waters professionals, government agencies and November, when Glew will give a pres- will ensure healthy communities. This conservation organizations. Caring for entation to the retired teachers, but most certainty is illustrated by the tragic your Land is available for $10 a copy schools already have the books, he says. event in Walkerton which happened from [email protected], or from the His other three books are Butterfly five years ago. It is fitting that the Department of Land Resource Science, Wishes (2003), That Chickadee Feeling symposium recognizes this anniver- University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G (2002) and When I Grow Up I Want to sary, in respect for Walkerton’s resi- 2W1. Ten or more copies are available at be Just Like My Dog (2002). All these dents and because of the lasting impact a discount. picture books are illustrated by Marlene it continues to have on how water is McBrien and Myrna McBrien and are managed in Ontario. Samuel’s Message available by calling the author at (519) The main sponsors for the event, donated to schools 742-6617 or e-mail [email protected] Conservation Ontario and the Centre Each school in the Grand River for Land and Water Stewardship, watershed will get a copy of the book New wetland University of Guelph, partner with Samuel's Most Important Message by many other Ontario groups and agen- guidelines retired educator Frank Glew. cies to organize and deliver a remark- This book tells children about the New Environmental Impact Study able event. importance of a healthy habitat and is (EIS) Guidelines for are For more information about the based on a story from the author’s life expected to lead to greater protection of symposium, check out the web site at experience as an environmental advo- wetlands throughout the Grand River www.latornell.ca cate. Samuel is a Blanding's turtle who watershed. was found by Glew in a pond at the Mandated by the GRCA’s current Huron Natural Area in Kitchener. He is Wetlands Policy, an EIS is a report that NOW AVAILABLE the hero of the story, as he stretches his addresses the potential impacts of devel- opment on wetlands and other parts of the natural heritage system. The EIS is Stewardship guide typically prepared by a qualified ecolo- gist in consultation with GRCA and Caring for Your Land: A Stewardship municipal staff. Handbook for Oak Ridges Moraine The EIS guidelines were developed Landowners, contains a wealth of infor- by GRCA staff in consultation with mation that is equally applicable to member municipalities, neighbouring landowners in the Grand River water- conservation authorities, and other pub- shed. lic agencies that help implement the Created by Stewart Hilts and Peter long yellow neck to tell people a thing GRCA’s Wetlands Policy. Mitchell of the Centre for Land and or two about the importance of the natu- The guidelines will provide a stan- Water Stewardship at the University of ral environment. dardized set of study guidelines specific Guelph, the book is full of practical Glew has a doctorate in to wetlands, and will also improve the information. Environmental Science and is the recipi- quality of reports submitted to support The introduction says, “Caring for ent of eight environmental awards and development applications. Your Land will help you develop a the Queen's Golden Jubilee Award 2002. The new guidelines are now available greater understanding of your land, and His dream was to become a children's on the website www.grandriver.ca in the help you see the land more clearly with author and he has published four books, planning section. its pattern of land uses or habitat types each with a study guide that explains that we call ecosystem elements. You how it fits into the Ontario science cur- will find 12 ecosystem elements riculum. described with practical suggestions for Each of the 560 schools in the water- things you can do to protect or enhance shed was provided with a copy of this these features”. The elements include book as a result of generous donations septic systems, trails, woodlands, wet- by the Retired Teachers Association of lands, grasslands and wildlife. Ontario, J.K.P. Beckell Foundation and While the concepts behind good land the George Lunan Foundation. The

GRAND ACTIONS • September/October 2005 7 DID YOU KNOW?

• A male swan is a cob • A female swan is a pen • A young swan is a cygnet • A group of swans is called a bevy • Swans are the largest North American waterfowl • They are one of three species rein- troduced in Ontario (the other two are bald eagles and peregrine falcons) For more information on birds in the Trumpeter swans have been reintroduced and are now breeding in the watershed. Grand see the new section of the This family regularly travels Mill Creek to visit Shade’s Mills Conservation Area in Cambridge. GRCA’s web site at www.grandriver.ca (Photo by Janet Baine) About this newsletter The Grand Strategy Calendar This newsletter is produced bi-month- ly as a communications tool by the Grand River Conservation Authority on Trails Workshop II, Oct. 21, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., GRCA Headquarters, 400 behalf of the partners in The Grand Clyde Road, Cambridge. Follow-up workshop for trail users, trail providers, Strategy. This newsletter can also be and municipalities to discuss trail linkages in Waterloo, Wellington and seen on the web site at Dufferin. For information, contact Lawrence Murphy (519) 821-2373 ext.2264. www.grandriver.ca Woodlot Management Workshop Saturday, Oct. 22, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., For information on KW Optimist Camp, Heidelberg. The workshop is open to anyone with a The Grand Strategy contact: woodlot or who is interested in woodlot managment and is being put on by the Barbara Veale, Waterloo Stweardship Network and the Waterloo Wellington Chapter of the GRCA, 400 Clyde Road, Ontario Woodlot Association. For more information contact Al Murray, Box 729, Cambridge, ON, N1R 5W6 Waterloo Stewardship Network, 519-826-4920. Phone (519) 621-2763 Ext. 274 Annual meeting of the Canadian Chestnut Council (CCC), Saturday, Fax: (519) 621-4844 Nov. 5, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., OMAF Centre, Woodstock. Progress on the breeding E-mail: [email protected] programs in the U.S. and Canada to develop blight-resistant American chestnut Newsletter edited by: trees will be featured. Dr. William MacDonald of West Virginia University, Janet Baine, GRCA Morgantown, West Virginia, is the guest speaker. Concerns about the survival of Phone: (519) 621-2761, Ext. 302 the native trees in Ontario will be discussed, and problems concerning the many Email: [email protected] aspects of chestnut tree growth will be addressed. For more information, contact For newsletter submissions contact: Charles Hooker, Secretary CCC (519) 942-8085. Dave Schultz, GRCA Grand River Tailwater Fisheries Research Symposium, November 24, Phone: (519) 621-2761, Ext. 273 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. GRCA Headquarters, 400 Clyde Road, Cambridge. Fax: (519) 621-4844 The Grand River Tailwater Fisheries Management Plan Implementation E-mail: [email protected] Committee will be discussing research needs and opportunities at this one-day Deadlines for submissions are the gathering for fisheries professionals, researchers and interested parties. For more 15th of January, March, May, July, information or to register contact Stephen May (519) 621-2763 x300 or e-mail September and November. Submissions [email protected] may be edited for length or style. Heritage Day Workshop and Celebration, February 20, 2006, 8:30 a.m. Tax deductible donations and spon- to 4 p.m., Cambridge. “Heritage...A Political Hot Potato?” is the working title sorships toward the cost of producing of the workshop, sponsored by Heritage Cambridge, the City of Cambridge and this newsletter are always welcome. the GRCA. Location and details to be announced. Publications Mail Agreement #144871

8 Share the resources - Share the responsibility

Trails Workshop Friday, October 21, 2005 8:30 a.m. -3:00 p.m. Grand River Conservation Authority, 400 Clyde Road, Cambridge, Ontario Trail Links for Waterloo-Wellington-Dufferin Vital Connections for Healthy Communities

The purpose of this workshop is to bring together trail groups, politicians, municipal and recreation planners, municipal engineers, healthy communities/animators, health care professionals, and media to create an action plan to build vital trail linkages in the Waterloo-Wellington-Dufferin Area. This workshop is a follow up to one held in 2003 that initiated a process to identify gaps in our regional trail network. The 2005 workshop will: provide an update on the status of the Trans Canada Trail and opportunities and challenges associated with connecting the national trail system in this area provide an update on the progress of the Ontario Trails Strategy discuss the vital connections provided by trails to our quality of life report on critical gaps in the existing trail network within the Waterloo-Wellington-Dufferin area. create an action plan for building these critical links.

Morning Program- GRCA Auditorium Buffet Lunch – GRCA Foyer

8:30-9:00 a.m. Registration (coffee and muffins will be available) Afternoon Program – Breakout Rooms/Auditorium 9:00-9:10 a.m. Welcome – Peter Krause, Chair, Grand River Conservation Authority 1:00-1:15 p.m. Trails and Priority Linkages in Waterloo- 9:10-9:40 a.m. John Bellini, President & CEO, Trans Wellington-Dufferin: A Digital Mapping Canada Trail Foundation Presentation, Lawrence Murphy, Chair, 9:40-10:00 a.m. Louie Di Palma, Director of Recreation, Trails Working Group Ministry of Health Promotion 1:15-1:55 p.m. Breakout Discussion Groups 10:00-10:20 a.m. Refreshment and Networking Break 1:55-2:10 p.m. Refreshment and Networking Break 10:20-10:40 a.m. Hugh Handy, Senior Associate Planner, 2:10-2:40 p.m. Breakout Discussion Group Summaries GSP Group Planners, Urban Designers & Landscape 2:40-3:00 p.m. Discussion & Wrap-up, Joan McKinnon, Architects City of Waterloo Trails Advisory Committee 10:40-11:00 a.m. Dr. Liana Nolan, Medical Officer of Health, Region of Waterloo Public Health 11:00-11:40 a.m. Panel Discussion with Morning Speakers 11:40-12:00 p.m. A Business Case for Trails, Karen Armstrong, Wellington- Dufferin-Guelph Public Health

To Register, please complete this form and send with payment to Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health, c/o Julie Eckert, 125 Delhi St., Guelph, ON N1E 4J5 Phone: 519-821-2370 or 1-800-265-7293 ext. 2256 Fax: 519-836-7215 Cheque payable to: Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health

Name: Title: Organization: Address: Phone: Fax: E-mail: Can we include your contact information on our list of participants for the registration package? Yes No

Registration is limited to 100 on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration Fee: $40 (includes lunch). Registrations will be accepted until October 14, 2005 For more information, contact Lawrence Murphy - Phone: 519-821-2370 or 1-800-265-7293 ext. 2264 Email: [email protected] ORGANIZED BY: Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health, Region of Waterloo Public Health, Community Heart Health Network, Guelph Hiking Trail Club, City of Guelph, Cambridge Trails Advisory Committee, City of Waterloo Trails Advisory Committee, Wellington County Stewardship Council, Grand Valley Trails Association, Township of Guelph/Eramosa, Township of Woolwich, Township of Wellesley, Town of Orangeville, Credit Valley Conservation, and Grand River Conservation Authority.