Events

"Managing Rural Properties"

This workshop was based on the new Rural Landowner Stewardship Guide, which can be viewed at http://www.stewardshipmanual.ca/. Landowners in attendance learnt how to use the guide and hear presentations relating to topics covered in the guide. There was also an opportunity to ask questions and work through some of the worksheets in the guide itself. There was also a field trip in the afternoon to a nearby landowner's property where landowners looked at its natural features and relate them back to filling out the guide.

Heather,

"How to Leave a Conservation Legacy"

At this workshop, attendees learned about leaving a conservation legacy, protecting your land in perpetuity, tax incentive options including the Ecological Gifts Program, the Caring for the Moraine Project activities, stewardship programs and many other topics.

Julie,

Julie,

"Natural based Income Opportunities on Rural Lands"

Participants who attended this workshop were looking to make some income from their rural property. They learned about the options and resources available to help rural landowners start a resource-based businesses ranging from non-timber forest products, bee keeping, and many others.

"Alien Invaders - a practical workshop on management of invasive plants"

Dog strangling vine, garlic mustard and common buckthorn have invaded natural areas all over the greater Toronto area.  These aggressive plants crowd out native plants and wildlife in fields, forests and parklands. Participants learned to recognize and manage these alien invaders before they get established on their private property.

"Birds of the Rice Lake Plains" and "Forest Ecology"

The day started with an early morning bird walk and was followed by a morning of bird and forest ecology presentations (respectively). There were also optional afternoon tours of the impressive Alderville Black Oak Savanna and Millbrook sites (respectively). .

"Creek Care"

This workshop had presentations in the morning on the diverse local ecology that exists on private properties as well as helpful hints on how to help protect those environmental features. It also included an afternoon tour of completed creek enhancement projects.

"Getting to Know Your Pond"

This workshop focused on presentations that taught landowners what they could do to enhance the pond on their property. There was also a birds of prey demonstration and an interactive tour in the afternoon that toured local pond projects.

"Rural Rewards"

Participants at this workshop learned about different programs like: the Conservation Land Tax Incentive Program (CLTIP); the Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program (MFTIP); Species at Risk; the Happy Valley Forest; Forest Stewardship Council certification and the other grant / funding opportunities for private lands.

This event was about appreciating landowners who had already participated in the Caring for the Moraine project: Durham York Headwaters Project Area but also to encourage people to protect their environmental features on their land through stewardship practices.

This Saturday workshop was held at the Claremont Field Centre which is not usually open to the public. There were presentation on the forest floor (vernal pools and the importance of the forest floor habitat); nature photography 101 and a interactive kids activity. It also had a nature hike option for willing participants in the afternoon.