Plugs for the Prairies
conservation day at Hazel Bird Nature Reserve
Sunday May 26, 2019
“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? Help restore rare prairie habitat in the Rice Lake Plains! You will be planting native tall grass prairie species to help restore and expand the tall grass prairie cover in the Rice Lake Plains. Learn about this special type of ecosystem from NCC’s conservation biologist for the Rice Lake Plains and spend the day in community doing something you can feel great about!
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 Hazel Bird Nature Reserve
NCC’s Hazel Bird Nature Reserve is found within the Rice Lake Plains Natural Area, which is located in Central Ontario on the Oak Ridges Moraine. The Rice Lake Plains Natural Area contains some of the largest tracts of kame moraine forest, tallgrass prairie and savannah ecosystems in Ontario, including globally significant black oak savannah. The prairie and savannah ecosystems are of particular conservation concern as most of their representation in Ontario and North America has been lost. The Hazel Bird Nature Reserve also provides significant habitat for species at risk including grassland birds and the Monarch butterfly.
MORE info about the event: Go here!
Ticket Prices
Tickets are FREE!
To register we require a deposit of 15.00 which will be refunded to you after 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)
9:45am - Arrive at Hazel Bird Nature Reserve
10:00am - 10:15am - Welcome, orientation, safety talk
10:15am- 12:00pm - Restoration fun! Planting of native tall grass prairie plants and Scotch Pine 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 restoration fun and property tour— learn about the land from NCC’s conservation biologist for the Rice Lake Plains
1:45pm - 2:00 Wrap up, head back to bus
2:15pm - Depart for Toronto
**NOTE: We will walk approximately 1.5 km over variable terrain to reach the planting site. Planting will involve bending and using trowels to dig holes for the seedlings. We’ll be outside all day— please come prepared. There is a port-a-potty onsite to sue for the bathroom.
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)
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, springtime 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.
