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Thursday, October 29, 2020 at 10:00 AM
Wardsville Woods in Wardsville Woods, ON, CanadaVolunteer Event: Seed 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.
What you need to know about this event
- Due to COVID-19, we will be practicing physical distancing at this event, meaning you should stay at least 2m away from anyway who isn't in your household. Since the event is outdoors, masks are not required, but feel free to wear one if you prefer.
- There are no washroom facilities at Wardsville Woods, so please plan accordingly. The West Lorne On Route on Highway 401 is probably the closest available washroom.
- This event will take place primarily off-trail in 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.
- 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.
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, 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.
Photo: collecting seeds at Hawk Cliff Woods, by Colin Johnson
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Saturday, November 07, 2020 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 7th 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 taking down some large buckthorns using loppers and saws (includes spraying stumps with herbicide, handled by the experts) but also pulling out young seedlings by hand. Help us create space for native species to flourish!
What you need to know about this event
- Due to COVID-19, we will be practicing physical distancing at this event, meaning you should stay at least 2m away from anyway who isn't in your household. Since the event is outdoors, masks are not required, but feel free to wear one if you prefer.
- 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.
Photo: TTLT Volunteer after cutting down a massive Buckthorn, by Rebecca Launchbury
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Saturday, November 21, 2020 at 10:00 AM
Wardsville Woods in Wardsville, ON, CanadaVolunteer Event: Abolish the Olive at Wardsville Woods
A large Autumn Olive shrub, by Daria Koscinski
Join us at Wardsville Woods on November 21st to clean up Autumn Olive and other invasive shrubbery from the restored butterfly meadow. Please RSVP below to secure your spot!
What is Autumn Olive anyway?
Autumn Olive (Elaeagnus umbellata) was introduced to North America from Asia in the early 1800s. It is a prolific berry producing, nitrogen fixing, hardy, resilient, and fast growing shrub, meaning it has been promoted over the years for a range of uses from landscaping to mine reclamation. Unfortunately these traits have also allowed Autumn Olive to escape its planting locations and spread far and wide into natural areas across the USA and Eastern Canada. It has become very problematic in habitats such as meadows and sparse woodlands, where it aggressively grows and spreads to form dense thickets. Native plants are eventually shaded or crowded out, meaning that insects, birds, and other wildlife no longer have the food and habitat they need and overall biodiversity is reduced.
So, let's abolish the Autumn Olive at Wardsville Woods
Autumn Olive is trying hard to take over the restored butterfly meadows at Wardsville Woods. Fortunately, there's still time to remove them and conserve the meadow community that supports native birds, pollinators, and biodiversity. At this event, we will be hand pulling Autumn Olive seedlings and small plants. For larger plants, we will first remove the berries to prevent seeding, then cut at the base and apply herbicide to the cut stump (herbicide will only be applied by a licensed exterminator). Did you know Autumn Olive berries are edible? Feel free to take some home for eating fresh or making jelly.
What you need to know about this event
- Due to COVID-19, we will be practicing physical distancing at this event, meaning you should stay at least 2m away from anyway who isn't in your household. Since the event is outdoors, masks are not required, but feel free to wear one if you prefer.
- There are no washroom facilities at Wardsville Woods, so please plan accordingly. The West Lorne On Route on Highway 401 is probably the closest available washroom.
- Hand pulling Autumn Olive requires you to bend or stoop and some level of physical strength to pull the plants out of the ground.
- This event will take place primarily off-trail in 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.
- 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.
What to bring
- Please bring your own work gloves if you can, although TTLT will provide them if 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, 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.
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Saturday, December 05, 2020 at 10:00 AM
Five Points Forest in Putnam, ON, CanadaVolunteer Event: Buckthorn Bust at Five Points Forest
Join us at Five Points Forest on December 5th 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 Five Points Forest! How will you know which one of the plants is a buckthorn? By December 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 the fall. TTLT volunteers will be more than happy to help you with identification so feel free to ask questions.
The event will include taking down some large buckthorns using loppers and saws (includes spraying stumps with herbicide, handled by the experts) but also pulling out young seedlings by hand. Help us create space for native species to flourish!
What you need to know about this event
- Due to COVID-19, we will be practicing physical distancing at this event, meaning you should stay at least 2m away from anyway who isn't in your household. Since the event is outdoors, masks are not required, but feel free to wear one if you prefer.
- There are no washroom facilities at Five Points Forest, 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 and forest 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.
Photo: TTLT Volunteer after cutting down a massive Buckthorn, by Rebecca Launchbury