|
|
|
Vernal Pool Hikes
Vernal Pool Presentations
General Hike Information
|
|
2011 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.
|
 |
|
|
|
Rouge Valley Eco Exploration Event
|
Date:
|
|
June 4, 2011
|
|
Time:
|
|
10 AM - 3 PM
|
|
Cost:
|
|
A donation of $10 per person is suggested
|
Join the Ontario Vernal Pool Association at the Rouge Valley Eco Exploration Event.
On Saturday June 4, 2011 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..
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dragonflies and Damselflies
Vallens Conservation Area, Hamilton Region
|
Date:
|
|
June 11, 2011
|
|
Time:
|
|
10:00 am - 1:00 pm
|
|
Cost:
|
|
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.
No charge from OVPA.
|
Join the Ontario Vernal Pool Association to view the dragonflies, damselflies, and butterflies of Vallens Conservation Area in partnership with the Hamilton Naturalist Club. 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.
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
Halton-North Peel Naturalist Club
|
Date:
|
|
May 10, 2011
|
|
Time:
|
|
7:00pm
|
|
Cost:
|
|
Free
|
Join the Halton-North Peel Naturalist Club for an Introduction to vernal pools Brenda Van Ryswyk will be giving an introduction to Vernal Pools. Vernal pools are often overlooked on our landscape but are vital for our biodiversity! This presentation will give an introduction to what a vernal pool is, its traits and unique features. We will look at some examples of creatures adapted to living in vernal pools (such as salamanders, fairy shrimp, and daphnia), look at their life cycle and how this life cycle is designed to allow them to survive in these temporary wetlands. It will touch on some of the functions of these wetlands and why they are important and need our protection. It will close with an encouragement to go out and learn more about these interesting and unique ecosystems but to keep them intact and undisturbed.
|
|
|
|
Saugeen Valley Naturalis Club
|
Date:
|
|
May 16, 2011
|
|
Time:
|
|
7:00 PM
|
|
Cost:
|
|
Free
|
Join the Ontario Vernal Pool Association at the Saugeen Valley Naturalist Club.
Scott Sampson will be presenting an introduction to the life of vernal pools. Join us to learn what a vernal pool is, see examples of some of the amazing and unique creatures that live there and how these creatures have addapted to live in them. Deapen your knowlege of vernal pools and see how they provide an important part of our ecosystems and greatly contribute to our local biodiversity.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Conservation Halton Biodiversity Festival
|
Date: June, 2011 (TBD)
|
|
|
|
Time: 10 - 3 pm
|
|
|
|
Cost:Entrance Fee to conservation area ($6.50)
|
|
|
Join us at Hilton Falls Conservation Area for the Conservation Halton Biodiversity Festival. There will be a presentation board with some information on vernal pools and photos of the inhabitants. Hike back to the falls and stop at the Vernal Pool viewing platform on the way.
|
|
|
|
Hike Information
|
Will there be a lot of walking?
|
|
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.
|
Are we going to slogging through mud?
|
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.
|
Should we bring any special gear (binoculars, rubber boots, flashlight etc.)?
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
