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Annual General Meeting
Vernal Pool Hikes
Vernal Pool Presentations
General Hike Information
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Annual General Meeting
There will be no AGM this year. Instead we will be hosting information sessions before each hike or outing.
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2010 Vernal Pool Hikes
The OVPA will be leading field trips to vernal pools around the GTA in the coming spring. You will witness first hand the sensitive cycles that regulate life in these pools.
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Introduction to Vernal Pools Ecosystems, McIlwraith Field Naturalists
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Date:
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March 19, 2010
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Time:
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7:30pm
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Cost:
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Free
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Join the Ontario Vernal Pool Association at the McIlwraith Field Naturalists in London for an introduction to Vernal Pools.
Presentation Summary:
Vernal pools are small wetlands that vary in their size, shape, depth, timing and duration of flooding. Most vernal pools dry up by last summer or early autumn. These wet-dry cycles of vernal pools create a unique habitat type that supports only those species that can tolerate the variable hydrologic conditions. Some species, such as the nationally threatened Jefferson salamander (Ambystoma jeffersonianum), are known to only exist in vernal pools. As a result, our understanding and conservation of vernal pools is critical to the protection of species at risk, Ontario's biodiversity and our natural heritage
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Rouge Valley Eco Exploration Event
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Date:
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June 5, 2010
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Time:
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10 AM - 3 PM
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Cost:
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A donation of $10 per person is suggested
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Join the Ontario Vernal Pool Association at the Rouge Valley Eco Exploration Event.
On Saturday June 5, 2010 take part in the spring Rouge Valley Eco Exploration Event at the
Rouge Valley Conservation Centre. Explore the Rouge Valley and learn about all its inhabitants
from wildlife experts including Citizen Scientists, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority,
and Rouge Park to name a few. Learn about our native fish, insects, plants and birds from the
experts while taking a stroll through the beautiful Rouge Valley. The Ontario Vernal Pool Association will have an information table set up to educate visitors on the life occurring in these pools..
View the poster here.
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Dragonflies and Damselflies
Hilton Falls Conservation Area, Halton Region (Milton, ON)
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Date:
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June 20, 2010
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Time:
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10:00 am - 1:00 pm
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Cost:
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Park Admission: Entrance fee to Conservation Area is $6.50 for adults, Senior (65 & over), $5.50, Child (5-14) $4.50, Child (4 & under) FREE.
Admission receipt provides access to any other Conservation Halton park for that day.
No charge from OVPA.
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Join the Ontario Vernal Pool Association to view the dragonflies, damselflies, and butterflies of Hilton Falls Conservation Area in partnership with the Conservation Halton BioBlitz. Hilton Falls is located on the Niagara Escarpment just west of Milton. Bring a net if you have one, or binoculars, magnifying glass and digital camera if you wish. Dress for outdoors, bring some water. Hopefully it’s nice and sunny.
Directions:
From Highway 401:
- Take Highway 25 north to 5 Side Road (Campbellville Road);
- Go west on 5 Side Road (Campbellville Road) for 5 km to park entrance.
From Q.E.W
- Take Guelph Line north through Campbellville to Campbellville Road;
- Go east on Campbellville Road for 3 km to park entrance.
Maps and more information on the park can be found at the Conservation Halton website at http://www.conservationhalton.on.ca
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Vernal Pool Presentations
If you are interested in having the OVPA come and speak to your naturalists’ club or community group, please contact the OVPA at info@ontariovernalpools.org
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Hike Information
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Will there be a lot of walking?
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Most hikes are 2 to 3 km. Some of it will be off-trail, with some hilly and undulating terrain (frequently associated with vernal pools). Medium difficulty.
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Are we going to slogging through mud?
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The trails to the vernal pools will likely be muddy. People will have the opportunity to explore the edges of the pool which tend to be muddy, so boots are a good idea.
We would like to keep the number of people actually in the pools to a minimum, so OVPA and other will collect specimens in containers to show others on the edge of the pool.
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Should we bring any special gear (binoculars, rubber boots, flashlight etc.)?
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People should bring rubber boots, insect repellent, and rain gear and a dry change of clothes (just in case). People may also want to bring dip nets, a clean plastic container,
hand lens and any applicable field guides (amphibians and invertebrates). OVPA reps will have some equipment and field guides. Binoculars may be useful as we are likely going to see other interesting
wildlife, particularly on the Herps and Birds Hike.
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