Media and News

Scott Warnock, Mayor of Tay Township, Challenges Mayors to a       
“Mayoral Pancake Eating Contest” 

Midland, Tay Township ……………… A “Giant Pancake” Eating Contest has been added to the many activities taking place at the 17th Annual Sweetwater Harvest celebration.  The official kick-off to this exciting competition will be the recently added Mayors Division.  Scott Warnock, Mayor of Tay Township, threw down the gauntlet at Garfield Dunlop’s Spaghetti Dinner in support of Wye Marsh on March the 7th.   Scott Warnock publicly challenged Jim Downer, Mayor of Midland, to participate who accepted the dare.  The mayor’s challenge is extended to all mayors in Simcoe County and beyond.  A minimum of $5.00 per participant is required and all monies raised from the three divisions will be donated to our local food bank.  The children’s division is for ages 12 and under and the adult division is for ages 13 and up. 

The contest will begin at 2:00pm on Saturday, March 29th and prizes will be awarded to top two winners in each division.  Space is limited for each division.  To register please call (705) 526-7809 or e-mail marketing@wyemarsh.com

Port McNicoll Lions Club Supports Wye Marsh

Wye Marsh gratefully accepts a $5,000.cheque from the Port McNicoll Lions Club.  This generous donation is targeted to pay for a much needed facelift to the cabins located next to the Visitor Centre.  The buildings are used primarily to accommodate residential groups visiting the Marsh, however  they are also home to the children’s day camp in the summer, special events year round and so much more. Pictured from left to right are:John Lever, Joe Vaillancourt, Loretta Hamilton, Tom Fisher, Ray Mugford

WYE MARSH HOSTS CONSERVATION FAIR

On Saturday February 23rd, Wye Marsh held its first Conservation Fair. This event was huge success, made possible through funding from the Community Conservation Initiatives of the Ministry of Energy.

The pioneer theme was prevalent throughout the day complete with period costumes and unique crafts.  There were 20 exhibitors in attendance with a wide range of displays on conservation including local businesses such as Tay Hydro, Midland PUC, Barber & Haskell, Home Depot, Canadian Tire and sustainable energy companies, Bullfrog Power and Dommelvalley Green Power. Participants were able to watch two films throughout the day entitled, “The Story of Stuff” and “The True Cost of Food” as well as speakers on energy saving products and sustainable energy systems.

In keeping with the conservation theme, a free bus service was provided from the three local communities in Tay Township . Also, participants were treated to a free lunch which included a drink, however to emphasize conservation and waste reduction, each customer had to provided their own cup!

Over 400 people turned out on this sunny day to enjoy Wye Marsh’s beautifully groomed snowshoe and ski trails as well as an added attraction of “dog sled rides”.

No one seemed to mind the “huge piles of snow” that made parking a considerable challenge!

For another fun weekend mark your calendars and join Wye Marsh in celebrating the arrival of spring with the Annual Sweetwater Harvest Festival, March 29th and 30th .  Enjoy two full days of family fun activities including a pancake breakfast, demonstrations of maple syrup production, live music and much more!!

Former Barrie Resident Shares Prestigious Mentoring Award

Washington, D.C.--2007--A former Barrie resident has shared in a prestigious United States mentoring award at the White House. As the founding Director of Education for the Ecological Society of America (ESA) Jason Taylor was part of a team that received a 2006 Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM). President George W. Bush made the announcement at a White House ceremony last month.  The highest honour of its kind in the United States, the award is supported and administered by the National Science Foundation and includes a $10,000 grant for continued mentoring work.
As ESA's Director of Education from 2001-2007 Taylor played an integral part in designing the program for which the award was given.  The program, Strategies for Ecology Education, Development and Sustainability (SEEDS) was established in 1996 to anchor ESA's education and diversity initiatives and was made possible by support from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Its mission is to diversify and advance the profession of ecology through opportunities that stimulate and nurture the interest of underrepresented students.
Taylor, as ESA's founding Director of Education, helped develop the educational activities at ESA and believes "SEEDS is a model mentoring program that continues to foster the development of a more diverse generation of ecology professionals.
"While we were receiving the award, I was asked what the ultimate outcome of success was in a mentoring program. I didn't hesitate to say that it is when a participant takes what they have learned and gives a piece of it back to their community."
Taylor now takes his vision and knowledge of science and environmental education to the Utah Society of Environmental Education (USEE) and the state of Utah. With the input of educators across the state, he will help USEE undertake a new project that will perform a statewide assessment of Utah's K-12 environmental education efforts in energy conservation, waste management, air quality, and water quality education.
A graduate of Innisdale Secondary School in Barrie, Taylor holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Dalhousie University and a Master’s degree in Environmental Studies from York University.  He has been a volunteer with the Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre in Midland, taught nature studies at Grandview Resort in Huntsville, and set up the Nature Program at Delawana Inn Resort in Honey Harbour.
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Jason Taylor can be reached at The Utah Society of Environmental Education (USEE) 801-328-1549

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Wye Marsh is currently in need of:
- hockey equipment in reasonable condition
- used sports equipment
- yard and garden tools
- small power tools
- camping hot plate
- costumes
- backpacks
- rope
- large cooking pots
- wood splitter
- metal aquarium stands – any condition
- hardware (nails, screws, etc.)
- extension cords
- small animal water bottles
- 1x barometer
- 1x anemometer
- test tubes
- small wire animal cage (Hamster/Guinea pig)

“In kind” receipts for value of articles available.

If you can help with any of these articles please contact us at info@wyemarsh.com
Thank you for all your support!

Do you have news about the Trumpeter Swans or Wildlife in the Southern Georgian Bay Area? Please tell us about this on our web blog of activities in the area. Check back often for the most up-to-date information about the Wye Marsh area.

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