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Saturday, October 01, 2022 at 09:30 AM through October 03, 2022
Hawk Cliff Woods in Union, ON, CanadaVolunteer Opportunity: Event Support
After two years of not being able to gather for the occasion, Hawk Cliff Woods Migration Weekend(s) (formerly known as Hawk Cliff Weekends) is back in-person! These weekends have attracted many from far and wide to witness and learn about the hawk and monarch migrations along Lake Erie. With a break from our original scheduled programming, we've decided to change things up a bit. The weekends (usually the last two in September) have been narrowed down to one weekend during the first weekend in October, as migration timing has become increasingly later in the year.
With all that said, we still cannot do any of this without your help! We're looking for a variety of volunteers to help the day run smoothly, which may include:
- Greeting Table Attendants
- Parking Attendants
- Booth Ambassadors
- Event Set Up/Takedown
- Photographers/Videographers
- Transportation Specialists (to store and move equipment)
- Hike Leaders
The event is on Saturday, October 1 and Sunday, October 2 from 9:30am to 3:30pm. Volunteers will be asked to arrive earlier/depart later depending on the tasks they choose to do. Details can be found in the description of each task in the sign up link below.
Sign up here for one (or more) volunteer tasks for the Hawk Cliff Woods Migration Weekend.
If you have an questions, feel free to contact Darby (contact info below).
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Saturday, October 01, 2022 at 09:30 AM through October 02, 2022
Hawk Cliff Woods in Union, ON, CanadaHawk Cliff Woods Migration Weekend
After two years of not being able to gather for the occasion, Hawk Cliff Woods Migration Weekend (formerly known as Hawk Cliff Weekends) is back in-person! This event has attracted many from far and wide to witness and learn about the hawk and monarch migrations along Lake Erie. With the break from our original scheduled programming, we've decided to change things up a bit. This year, the event will be hosted during ONE WEEKEND ONLY during the first weekend in October. The program for both days will look something like this:
9:30am - Thames Talbot Land Trust hike
11:00am - Hawk Cliff Raptor Banders presentation
1:00pm - Monarch presentation
2:00pm - Hawk Cliff Raptor Banders presentation
We are also looking for volunteers to help run the event! Learn more and signup here.
This event is run in partnership between Thames Talbot Land Trust, St. Thomas Field Naturalist Club, Hawk Cliff Raptor Banders, and volunteers of Monarch Watch.
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Sunday, October 02, 2022 at 01:00 PM
Mud Lake Nature Reserve in Salford, ON, CanadaPassport to Nature: Fall Hike in Oxford County
Enjoy a leisurely 2-km walk at Mud Lake Nature Reserve in South-West Oxford. Learn about the trees, shrubs and fall flowers of the upland forests that surround the large marsh and pond of Mud Lake. Biologist Cathy Quinlan will guide us in identifying the various trees, both planted and natural, that tell the history of this unique property. Bring your camera for some wonderful fall colours on display. Join us for a rare opportunity to visit this remarkable site, which is normally closed to the public.This event requires registration and is subject to COVID-19 regulations at the time. Masks are only required where physical distancing cannot be maintained. Please do not attend if you are feeling unwell.
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Saturday, October 08, 2022 at 09:00 AM
Komoka Community Market in Komoka, ON, CanadaVolunteer Opportunity: Booth Support
We will be taking part in the Komoka Community Market on Saturday, October 8th. We're looking for Transportation Specialists and Booth Ambassadors to volunteer for this booth event. The market runs from 9:00am-12:00pm, but volunteers will be asked to arrive earlier/stay later depending on the volunteer position chosen.
Transportation Specialists will be responsible for picking up/dropping off TTLT outreach materials. They may also need to assist Booth Ambassadors with setup.
Booth Ambassadors are responsible for booth setup, engaging the public on all things TTLT, and potentially selling TTLT merchandise and collecting donations.
Please sign up here to help us be a part of this community market event.
For more information, contact Darby via the contact details below.
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Sunday, October 23, 2022 at 01:00 PM
Bebensee Tract in Newbury, ON, CanadaPassport to Nature: Tree ID and Forest Health
The Carolinian Zone of southwestern Ontario supports the growth of many, varied tree species. Join Donald Craig, a professional forester with over 40 years of experience in our local Ontario woodlands. He will help us identify different trees, while explaining how diseases, insects, invasive plants and other factors affect our native trees and forests. The Bebensee Tract, in the Skunk’s Misery complex in Southwest Middlesex, has no formal trail system, and is normally closed to public access. We will explore the edge of the forest from adjacent roadways; choose appropriate footwear.This event requires registration and is subject to COVID-19 regulations at the time. Masks are only required where physical distancing cannot be maintained. Please do not attend if you are feeling unwell.
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Saturday, October 29, 2022 at 11:00 AM
Wardsville Woods in Wardsville, ON, CanadaSeed Collecting at Wardsville Woods
Join us at Wardsville Woods on October 29th to collect seeds in the meadow. Please RSVP below to secure your spot!
We'll be collecting seeds from a range of native wildflowers and grasses, which will be used in restoration projects, our community wildflower gardens, and to make seed packet giveaways for community members. We'll provide training in seed head ID during the event, so no prior knowledge or experience is needed (although experts are welcome too!). You're also welcome to take seeds home with you to use in your own garden or restoration project.
Photo: collecting seeds at Hawk Cliff Woods, by Colin Johnson
What you need to know about this event
- This event is subject to COVID-19 regulations at the time. Masks are only required where physical distancing cannot be maintained. Please do not attend if you are feeling unwell.
- There are no washroom facilities at Wardsville Woods, so please plan accordingly. The Glencoe Tim Hortons is the closest available washroom.
- The meadow is also full of seeds and they will stick to your clothing. Smooth materials such as rubber boots and rain jacket/pants will be much easier to keep seed free. Otherwise, be sure to wear clothes that you don't mind getting dirty.
- We may encounter ticks at this event. Be sure to check for ticks before leaving the site and once you get home. More info on ticks is available here.
What to bring
- Please bring your own work gloves if you can, although TTLT will provide them if needed. TTLT will provide all other equipment needed.
- Wear appropriate footwear such as hiking shoes/boots, rubber boots, or other sturdy, ideally waterproof shoes. You might encounter uneven and wet terrain.
- Bring water, snacks, sunscreen, rain gear, warm clothing, bug spray, and anything else you need to be comfortable outside.
Please note: this event is weather dependent. In the case of any changes or cancellation, we will send out an email to everyone who is registered the day before the event.
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Thursday, November 03, 2022 at 01:00 PM
Hawk Cliff Woods in Union, ON, CanadaVolunteer Event: Gardening at the Auzins Community Wildflower Garden
Do you love gardening? Then consider helping us out at the Auzins Community Wildflower Garden!
The Auzins Community Wildflower Garden at Hawk Cliff Woods is planted with native perennial plants that are beautiful and hardy choices for landscaping. The garden serves as a demonstration site for native plant gardening as well as a source of seeds for interested community members who want to grow native plants for their own gardens.
Why native plants?
Native plants provide food and habitat for birds, insects, and other creatures while requiring less care in terms of watering, pesticides, and fertilizers, than exotic landscaping plants. It's a win-win for nature and gardeners alike.
How can you help?We are looking for help with garden maintenance including weeding, cleaning up last year's plants, mulching, and clearing the trail. Feel free to drop in anytime between 1pm and 4pm, or stay the whole time.
What to bring
- This is an outdoor event so please bring whatever you need to be comfortable, such as sunscreen, bug spray, and good shoes. As well, be sure to bring your snacks and water.
- We can provide gardening gloves, knee pads, and tools, but we encourage you to bring your own if you prefer.
- There are lots of flowers, birds, and wildlife to see, so bring your binoculars, camera, and field guides.
Things to note
- This event is subject to COVID-19 regulations at the time. Masks are only required where physical distancing cannot be maintained. Please do not attend if you are feeling unwell.
- There are no washroom facilities at Hawk Cliff Woods, so please plan accordingly.
- We may encounter ticks at this event. Be sure to check for ticks before leaving the site and once you get home. More info on ticks is available here.
Please note: this event is weather dependent. In the case of any changes or cancellation, we will send out an email to everyone who is registered the day before the event.
Butterfly photos (top) by Rebecca Launchbury. Butterflyweed photo (left) by Anita Caveney
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Saturday, November 19, 2022 at 10:00 AM
Meadowlily Nature Preserve in London, ON, CanadaVolunteer Event: Buckthorn Bust at Meadowlily Nature Preserve
Join us at Meadowlily Nature Preserve on November 19th for a Buckthorn Bust! Please RSVP below to secure your spot.
What is a Buckthorn Bust you ask?
Buckthorn is a non-native invasive species that forms extensive thickets out-competing native plants and altering soil chemistry. We need to bust them out of Meadowlily Nature Preserve! How will you know which one of the plants is a buckthorn? By November our native trees and shrubs have dropped their leaves or the leaves have turned yellow/orange/red. Buckthorn keeps glossy dark green leaves well into November. TTLT volunteers will be more than happy to help you with identification so feel free to ask questions.
The event will include pulling out young seedlings by hand and larger seedlings with weed wrenches. Help us create space for native species to flourish!
What you need to know about this event
- This event is subject to COVID-19 regulations at the time. Masks are only required where physical distancing cannot be maintained. Please do not attend if you are feeling unwell.
- There are no washroom facilities at Meadowlily Nature Preserve, so please plan accordingly.
- Hand pulling Buckthorn requires you to bend or stoop and some level of physical strength to pull the plants out of the ground.
- This event may take you off-trail into meadow habitat. Although it is later in the year, there is still a chance you could encounter ticks. Be sure to check for ticks before leaving the site and once you get home. More info on ticks is available here.
- Fall is also seed season and seeds will stick to your clothing. Smooth materials such as rubber boots and rain jacket/pants will be much easier to keep seed free. Otherwise, be sure to wear clothes that you don't mind getting dirty.
What to bring
- Please bring your own work gloves if you can, although TTLT will provide them if needed. TTLT will provide all other equipment.
- Wear appropriate footwear such as hiking shoes/boots, rubber boots, or other sturdy, ideally waterproof shoes. You might encounter uneven and wet terrain.
- Bring water, snacks, sunscreen, rain gear, warm clothing, bugspray, and anything else you need to be comfortable outside.
Questions?
If you have any questions, requests, or special needs, please feel free to reach out to us at the contact info below.
Photos by Reuven Martin (via iNaturalist)