Eviction Notice: Garlic Mustard
conservation day at Happy Valley Forest
Saturday October 26, 2019
sold out
“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, Nothing is going to get better. It's not.”
~The Lorax
As a Nature Lover you probably have some big appreciation for all the great things nature does for us! ActiveDays is excited to announce a fun day of ‘giving back’ in collaboration with the Nature Conservancy of Canada’s Conservation Volunteer program as a way to return the favour.
What? At this event, you will be controlling garlic mustard, an invasive plant species that has become well established throughout southern Ontario, including on NCC lands. We will talk about how to identify garlic mustard and then we will get a head start pulling the plants before they produce seeds next spring.
*Physical activity will involve hiking on hilly terrain, bending and crouching.
Why You’ll Love It: You will love this event because you will be spending time in a large beautiful mature upland deciduous forest. Your stewardship efforts will help to keep the forest healthy and thriving with native species.
Who is the Nature Conservancy of Canada? The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is Canada's leading national land conservation organization. A private, non-profit organization, we partner with individuals, corporations, other non-profit organizations and governments at all levels to protect our most important natural treasures — the natural areas that sustain Canada’s plants and wildlife. We secure properties (through donation, purchase, conservation agreement and the relinquishment of other legal interests in land) and manage them for the long term.”
About Happy Valley Forest:
Happy Valley Forest is one of the largest remaining tracts of upland deciduous forest on the Oak Ridges Moraine. It is located about one hour northwest of Toronto. This 1560-acre (631 hectare) area supports more than 110 breeding birds and is an outstanding example of mature sugar maple and beech upland forests, characteristic of the Moraine.
Ticket Prices
Tickets are FREE!
To ensure a full bus we will take a 15$ deposit which we will refund to you upon completion of the trip
THIS ACTIVEDAYS TRIP IS ORGANIZED BY THE ACTIVEDAYS COMMUNITY. SEE ALL ACTIVEDAYS TRIPS AND JOIN US VIA OUR FACEBOOK GROUP!
DAY SCHEDULE
8:15am - Depart 34 Asquith Ave (near Yonge and Bloor)
9:15am - Arrive at Happy Valley Forest -
9:30am - 9:45am - Welcome, orientation, safety talk
10:15am- 12:00pm - Restoration fun! Garlic Mustard Removal
12:00- 12:30 - LUNCH is not provided. Please bring something delicious that you can eat outdoors. ‘Litter Free Lunches’ always encouraged:) NCC will provide water bottle refills and light snacks.
12:30pm - 1:45pm - More garlic mustard removal and property tour— learn about the land from NCC’s staff
2:45pm - 3:00 Wrap up, head back to bus
3:15pm - Depart for Toronto
**NOTE: We will walk over variable terrain to reach the site. Pulling the Garlic Mustard will involve bending and using back muscles. We’ll be outside all day— please come prepared. There is a port-a-potty onsite to use for the bathroom.
**SAFETY: As with many sites in Ontario there is a chance of encountering Poison Ivy or Ticks. Please wear long sleeve shirts and pants to ensure limited exposure.
WHAT TO BRING
LUNCH! and snacks. Please make sure to bring something that you can eat on the side of the trail.
Water (at least 1.5L) Please bring your water in a reusable water bottle.
Proper Footwear - please make sure to wear hiking boots that can get muddy. If it’s raining- rain boots are the way to go.
Hat, Bugspray, Sunscreen
Medications
Weather appropriate clothing- As we know, the weather in Canada can be all over the place. Please keep an eye on the weather and be prepared for a nice warm day or a slightly chilly rainy one, or both!
Please make sure to wear long socks and pants*- to protect against Poison Ivy and ticks.
Camera
Whatever else you need to have fun on the trail :)
Tools will be provided- however if you have gloves or trowels that you prefer to use you can bring them along.
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 experience in the way that feels best for your body.
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.
