Connect and Care for Nature at Albion Hills Conservation Area
saturday, October 28
“When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect.”
– Aldo Leopold
Come out for a day of nature education, hiking, and tree planting with the Bring Back the Salmon Program.
Atlantic Salmon were once a very important and abundant fish species in the Lake Ontario watershed. Changes to the land and water following European settlement caused this treasured fish to disappear from Lake Ontario by the late 1800s.
The Bring Back the Salmon program (BBTS) is bringing back the Atlantic Salmon in part by improving ecosystem health to support them, which benefits many other species, including humans.
The focus of this event will be environmental stewardship in the form of tree and shrub planting. Environmental stewardship refers to responsible caretaking of the natural world through active and engaged participation in conservation efforts and sustainable practices by individuals, small groups, and large organizations.
Located in the hills of Caledon, Albion Hills Conservation Area (AHCA) is owned and operated by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA). Situated on 538.5 hectares of beautiful, largely forested land in the headwaters of the Humber River, AHCA is recognized as a key natural heritage site. AHCA is also the site of a large Bring Back the Salmon habitat restoration project.
At this event, you will learn about the natural history of Atlantic Salmon and other fish species in Lake Ontario, fish identification, habitats, and ecological restoration. We will then take a nice hike through the woods, where you will learn about tree identification and values before planting some trees and shrubs to support the health of the water that the fish depend on.
The bus for this event is funded in part by the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters. The purchase of the trees and shrubs is funded by TD Friends of the Environment Foundation. The educational components are provided by BBTS and TRCA. The lead sponsor of BBTS is Ontario Power Generation.
Ticket Prices
All tickets - $15
Includes bus, park entrance, and education
BOOK YOUR TICKET HERE
THIS ACTIVEDAYS TRIP IS ORGANIZED BY THE ACTIVEDAYS COMMUNITY. SEE ALL ACTIVEDAYS TRIPS AND JOIN US VIA OUR FACEBOOK GROUP!
DAY SCHEDULE
8:00am - Pick-up at 34 Asquith Ave close to Yonge and Bloor subway
9:15am - Arrive at Albion Hills Conservation Area
9:30am – 10:30am - Storytelling walk around the restoration stream, learning about Atlantic Salmon restoration and other fish communities.
10:30 – 12 – Hike with tree identification and values and a nature-based activity.
12:00 – 12:30 – Lunch (Lunch is not included. Please pack a lunch, snacks, and water for yourself)
12:30am – 3:00 – Tree and shrub planting.
3:15pm - Depart from the park.
WHAT TO BRING
Please be dressed for the weather and have solid footware for planting where it may be wet/muddy.
LUNCH! and snacks. Please make sure to bring something that you can eat on the side of the trail.
Water (at least 1.5L)
Hat, Bugspray, Sunscreen
Medications
Weather appropriate clothing- Please keep an eye on the weather and be prepared for a nice warm day, a chilly rainy one, or both!
Good footwear for hiking and tree planting (may be wet and or muddy)
Camera
Whatever else you need to have fun on the trail :)
WHAT TO EXPECT WITH ACTIVEDAYS
To us, facilitating this event is about creating an environment that you can engage with in your own way. This is your experience, and everyone has their own relationship with the outdoors and their bodies. We want to meet you where you are at — you can take part in the hike or wander off on your own adventure. However, as this event is being subsidized for the purpose of tree and shrub planting, we do have an expectation that you will participate in the planting portion of the event.
Active Days is also a community. This is an inclusive space to meet new people, share stories and have fun! To us, there is no better place to get to know someone than the outdoors. We all share a desire to get out, explore and move.