AS MANY OF

YOU MAY

KNOW, LongPoint Basin LandTrust is a very smallvolunteer drivenorganization thatrelies heavily onboard members andengaged friends todeliver its mandate.That however isn’t

the whole story. These volunteers are organizedand lead by a dedicated team composed of 1.5staff people.

Lyndsay, our full time Stewardship Coordinator,coordinates most of the boots on the groundprojects and is the person most of our volunteersknow. Through the Conserving Carolinian Reptileand Nurturing Nature Projects she has overseen theupkeep and improvements on our seven naturereserves. She is often seen lugging shovels, prunersand garbage bags as she directs groups of engagedpeople both young and old in trail trimming, litterclean up and exotic removal. Another part ofLyndsay’s job has been the organizing of educa-tional events. Hikes, talks and our first everBioBlitz were all her doing this year. Some of themany activities she organized featured mushrooms,birds and butterflies on our reserves and she even ventured into classrooms to engage some of ouryounger supporters. I would like to join all the

people she worked with this year in thankingLyndsay for her enthusiasm and effort that she putinto this part of LPBLT activities.

Another side of LPBLT is the administrationand fundraising. Kristyn Richardson, LPBLT’sProjects Coordinator is the 0.5 part of the staffteam. Kristyn does get a little time in the limelightwhen giving presentations or talks to such groups asRotary but for the most part she is tied to the officecomputer. The search for funding, the great drivefor all LPBLT does, falls squarely on Kristyn’sshoulders. She works closely with the Board toorganize and implement fundraising applicationsand plans for acquisitions, projects such asNurturing Nature and Conserving CarolinianReptiles and to just keep the doors open and lightson. Just to make sure she doesn’t have any sparetime, she is also Lyndsay’s supervisor as well asboard secretary.

The strength of any organization is in the peoplewho do the day to day work of the organization.LPBLT is fortunate to have had a strong 1.5 staffthis year and I think the success of their effortsreflects their dedication and ability. Thank you tothem on behalf of our Supporters and Board.

President’s Message

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The strength of any organization is in the peoplewho do the day to day work ... Thank you to them

2 VIEWPOINTLPBLT

MY PARTNER, MARY, and I havealways been interested in moths but inthe last few years this interest has become

a bit of an obsession (especially for Mary). Up to allhours watching the many species attracted to amercury vapour light. Then up, (but not too early),in the morning to inspect the catch in the live trapsand then the recording of them made by way ofphotography. As I suggested this is not a newinterest, just a new addiction. Both of us did this askids, but sadly, over the years we have witnessedmarked changes. We have seen declines in thenumbers of many of the large silk moths; speciesthat we remember as being common just do notseem to be around now. One in particular, the Luna(Actias luna), is noticeably reduced. This large mothwith apple green, purple/pink edged fore wings thatare 75-105 mm wide and a plump white body was achildhood favourite. The caterpillars feed on a widerange of trees alder, beech, cherry, hazel, hickoryand willow which are all still common and thespecies does not seem to require pristine habitat. Sowhy is there a decline? Habitat loss, light pollutionor climate change, perhaps, but more likely theintroduction of a European Tachinid fly(Compsilura concinnata) in 1909 to control GypsyMoth (Lymantria dispar). This exotic fly is knownto feed on more than 200 of our native species ofmoths including our larger silk moths. The femalefly seeks out the caterpillars and lays eggs in them.The eggs hatch and the larvae grow inside feedingon the caterpillars. The fly winters over inside thecocoon that the host spins. In the spring it is onlythe Tachinid fly that emerges, the host having beenconsumed. The search is always on for a hostspecific biological control but in this case the resultswere wide of the mark. Tachinid flies need towinter over in the host’s cocoons but the GypsyMoth winters over as eggs. Oops!

While we can not do anything about these peskyflies other than hope they become fodder for a para-site of their own, we can do something abouthabitat loss. LPBLT acquires or creates biodiverserich habitats to help support not just thesewonderful silk moths but also the whole amazingweb of life. For many species, habitat loss is a lifeor death battle. You can help too! Do your land-scaping with native species, reduce or eliminateyour lawn and support our efforts to set asidenatural habitats.

IT ISN’T JUST BIRDS THAT FLY

Above: Freshlyemerged adultLuna.

Right: Lunacaterpilars onAmerican Plum.

We can do something about habitat loss ...

Peter Carson

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VENISON CREEK WATERSHED RESERVE CAMPAIGN

THE VENISON CREEK WATERSHEDhas been identified through strategic plan-ning by LPBLT as an area of conservation

priority for its stewardship and securement activi-ties. The Venison Creek Watershed Reserve inparticular has been identified as an essential link forprotecting watershed integrity, as an essential bufferfor the cold water creek system, and as a criticallyimportant site for restoration and protection ofNorfolk Sand Plain Carolinian forest and ripariancorridors. Conservation of this property will protectin perpetuity a 55-acre natural treasure, preservingwildlife including species at risk, and providing

excellent opportunities for nature appreciation.The acquisition campaign for the Venison Creek

Watershed Reserve was launched in September andis now in full swing. We are excited to report thatmore than 75% of the required funding has beensecured; however, the closing date of January 31,2018 is quickly approaching. LPBLT has beencontinuing to reach out to charitable foundations,corporations, conservation groups, and individualsupporters to secure the additional funds needed tosecure this vital property situated in the heart ofCarolinian Canada.

Kristyn Richardson

The portion of Venison Creek on the Venison Creek Watershed Reserve

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SINCE 2015, Long Point Basin Land Trust hasbeen running Nurturing Nature in theNeighbourhood with funding from Ontario

Trillium Foundation. This three-year project,which was focused on engaging the community,volunteers, and partners in long-term stewardshipand enjoyment of LPBLT properties is coming to aclose at the end of 2017. The main goals of theproject included hosting local, free events aslearning opportunities for the general public,engaging volunteer stewardship teams for LPBLT’s

properties, and developing publicly-accessible inter-pretive trails on select properties.

Over the last three years, a variety of events havebeen held as part of the Nature in theNeighbourhood event series, including springbirding walks, invasive species restoration work-days, species identification workshops, andMonarch tagging events. Tim Goodale, who hasattended many of the workshops and events, says“everyone should take in a workshop if they have achance to do so. Government laws don’t do enough

NURTURING NATURE IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD

Lyndsay Shular

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Above: Grade nine students from DelhiDistrict Secondary School participate in abiodiversity scavenger hunt on the DelhiWetland Nature Reserve.

Right: Mary Gartshore shows workshopparticipants how to clean native plant seed.

5VIEWPOINT LPBLT

to protect species at risk and it’s up to organizationslike LPBLT to help educate the general public onthis special place we live in.”

The newly created volunteer stewardship teamsfor LPBLT’s properties have helped to implementon-the-ground restoration projects. Some of theactivities these teams undertake include moni-toring, garbage cleanups, trail clearing, invasivespecies management initiatives, and seed collecting.

The volunteer stewardship teams are excellentopportunities to develop environmental and conser-vation skills, meet new people, and learn about theunique ecosystems found throughout the LongPoint Basin. If you are interested in helping withstewardship initiatives on LPBLT’s nature reserves,contact the Stewardship Coordinator at 519-420-9913or steward@longpointlandtrust.ca to join a team.

Through the creation of interpretive walkingroutes on some of LPBLT properties, visitors areable to explore and learn about some of the diverse

habitats found on each nature reserve. Strongman –Guiler Conservation Legacy, Shirley and GeorgePond Nature Reserve, and Arthur Langford NatureReserve all have clearly marked walking routes ofvarying difficulty that allow for activities such aswalking, hiking, and snowshoeing. Descriptionsand maps of the walking routes are available atwww.longpointlandtrust.ca/ourlands.

The Nurturing Nature in the Neighbourhoodproject has allowed LPBLT to expand its reachwithin the local communities and generate aware-ness about environmental issues and on-the-groundsolutions. We have also been able to meet some ofour neighbours and begin to foster long-term rela-tionships. Moving forward, LPBLT would like tocontinue hosting events that include a strongerhands-on component, allowing participants to learnabout what they can do in their own backyard tohelp conserve biodiversity in the Long Point Basin.

...everyone should take in a workshop if they have a chance to do so.

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Left: Members from OtterValley Naturalists cleanedgarbage on the arthur LangfordNature Reserve as part of theStewardship Team.

Above: A Monarch carefullybeing tagged before its release at the Monarch TaggingWorkshop.

6 VIEWPOINTLPBLT

POND RESERVE BIOBLITZ A SUCCESS!

ON AUGUST 12TH, Long Point BasinLand Trust held their first-ever commu-nity BioBlitz at the Shirley and George

Pond Nature Reserve. A variety of workshops wereheld throughout the day and facilitated by experts,allowing the 40 participants and many volunteers tohave a productive and enjoyable time. With over 220species observed, this inventory will provide a baselinefor ongoing monitoring and aid with future manage-ment planning for the property. Highlights from theday include observing over 20 different butterflies,spotting a Bald Eagle flying over the property, seeinga Northern Red-bellied snake on the trail, hearing anEastern Screech Owl as the sun was setting, andusing bat-detecting technology to observe threedifferent species of bats on the property.

Nicole DePoorter, a volunteer with LPBLT,assisted with data recording during the BioBlitz. “Ireally enjoyed participating in LPBLT events this2017 season, especially the BioBlitz! What Ienjoyed the most was learning a lot and have gaineda lot of appreciation for butterflies and being able toidentify butterfly species. I’ve been able to meet

some great people with the same interests as meand it has been nice to be able to come together toappreciate nature and all the amazing species inNorfolk County.”

A lot was learned by all involved, as is the casewith any first-time event, and suggestions will beincluded in the planning of any future BioBlitzhosted by LPBLT. All in all, LPBLT gained valu-able information and knowledge through the eventand is looking forward to what next year can bring.

Long Point Basin Land Trust would like tothank Stefan Weber, Adam Biddle, Jenna Siu,Bernie Solymar, Toby Thorne, and MaryGartshore, as well as all the volunteers who cameout to help make the event a big success. Thank youto Burning Kiln Winery for their support andgracious donations, and to Olde Tyme Deli andEatery for providing a delicious lunch to the partici-pants. Funding for the BioBlitz was provided byTD Friends of the Environment Foundation.

Lyndsay Shular

Workshops facilitated by experts gave the participants and volunteers a productive and

enjoyable time.

Botonist Stefan Weberexplains tips and tricks forplant identification atLPBLT ’s BioBlitz

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THIS FALL, at the 2017 Ontario LandTrust Gathering, Peter Carson was awardedthe OLTA Vision Award in recognition of

his outstanding contributions to the land trustcommunity. He has always had a love and admira-tion for nature that started at a young age. In 1985,Peter worked with a team doingfieldwork for the Natural AreasInventory of Haldimand-Norfolk Region, which changedhis career path. Ever since, hislife has revolved around naturalhistory and conservation;Peter’s resume of professionaland volunteer experience is bothlengthy and diverse. Hisinvolvement with the land trust

movement began when he served on the board ofthe Federation of Ontario Naturalists, now OntarioNature. He was involved with the inception of theOntario Nature Trust Alliance, now Ontario LandTrust Alliance, and serving as Vice Chair for aperiod. Since its founding in 1996, Peter has been a

leading force of Long PointBasin Land Trust and hasbeen President for the past10 years. There is no doubtthe conservation movementhas benefited from his frank-ness and strength of opinionsover the years, and for thatwe are all grateful!

CONGRATULATIONS TO PETER

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LPBLT’s Al Robinson awarding Peter Carson with the OLTA Vision Award

A future restoration site on the Venison Creek Watershed Reserve.

Much of our work wouldn’t be possible without the continued support of the LPBLT volunteers. If you are interested in learning more about volunteering with LPBLT, please contact our Stewardship Coordinator

Lyndsay Shular: steward@longpointlandtrust.ca or 519-420-9913.

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8 VIEWPOINTLPBLT

Priorities for Protecting Land

Since being established in 1996, Long Point BasinLand Trust’s mission has always been to protect andrestore functioning ecosystems in the Long Point Basin.One of the ways LPBLT achieves this is through landsecurement, as well as land stewardship and species atrisk recovery activities on properties owned by the LandTrust. As the Long Point Basin is a diverse area with avariety of land owners and users, LPBLT is one of theorganizations shaping the future for this region.

Current science suggests that at least 30% of aregion’s natural cover must be maintained to retainecological functions. Canada, through the AichiBiodiversity Targets, has set the goal of protecting atleast 17% of terrestrial areas and inland water. The

contribution of LPBLT`s secured lands and conserva-tion leadership across the Long Point Basin is essentialin order to achieve these targets and support the well-being of our natural and human communities.

The securement of properties, whether by donationor purchase, is a typically lengthy process that includeslong-term negotiations with both potential, andconfirmed, land donors. Distinctive features in theLong Point Basin are of the focus of LPBLT’s secure-ment activities, and these priorities are critical for main-taining ecological functions and the character of thearea.

There are various ways to give land. To find outabout the various options or for more information,please contact Kristyn Richardson at

kristyn@longpointlandtrust.ca or 519-586-8309

MONTHLY GIVING

PLEDGING $10, $25, $50, OR MORE

each month provides LPBLT with adependable source of funds that

allows us to protect the land you love – dayin and day out. Not only is it a greeneroption because it reduces the amount ofpaper we use annually, it also decreasesLPBLT’s fundraising costs making itpossible for us to put more of your moneyinto conservation. It is also one of the mostconvenient ways for you to donate – ithelps you to plan your giving for the year,reduces your paperwork, and gives you

control of the amount of the donation.You can change or cancel your commit-ment at any time.

When you sign up for monthly giving,you will not only be supporting Long PointBasin Land Trust, you will also receive acoveted LPBLT reusable tote bag.

For more information on monthlygiving, please contact Kristyn Richardson at519-586-8309 or kristyn@longpoint-landtrust.ca

The Nurturing Nature and Protecting at Risk Biodiversityin the Long Point Basin projects were undertaken with the support of

Long Point Basin Land Trust P.O. Box 468Port Rowan Ontario N0E 1M0519-586-8309general@longpointlandtrust.ca