Wye Marsh Butterfly, Dragonfly, and Damselfly report now available:
Research Funded through Metcalf Internship
The Wye Marsh was one of five recipients from across Canada to receive funding for an Internship from the George Cedric Metcalf Foundation. The Metcalf foundation is dedicated to enhancing the effectiveness of people and organizations working together to help Canadians imagine and build a just, healthy and creative society. Supporting institutions such as the Wye Marsh through internship programs, new graduates gain valuable experience as they grow to become the environmental leaders of the future. Funding in 2007 allowed for a research report on the some of the Insects of the Wye Marsh to be generated.
The health of our remaining wetlands has recently been a hot topic in the environmental community. These ecosystems help filter our water supplies and provide aesthetic beauty while supporting a vast biodiversity of organisms. In order to monitor the health of wetlands, indicator species are used to provide advanced warning of potential hazards. The Odonates live the majority of their lives underwater and they are good indicators for water pollutants. This study looks at the biodiversity and abundance of butterflies and Odonates in the Wye Marsh in order to get a better understanding of their populations. With frequent studies over the next few years, their population dynamics can be used to monitor the Wye Marsh ecosystem. Currently the most abundant butterfly species in the marsh is Danaus plexippus; the most abundant dragonfly species is Sympetrum obtrusum; and the most abundant damselfly species is Ischnura verticalis. It was also found that a new species of damselfly, Enallagma divagans, has extended its range farther north to include the Wye Marsh, possibly due to recent climate changes. READ MORE
Click here to read the report - 2007 Dragonfly, Damsefly, and Butterfly Report
Wye Marsh Receives $10,000 Grant from Honda Canada
Wye Marsh is pleased to be the recipients of a $10,000 grant from Honda Canada which will be used to improve the educational opportunities offered by our live reptile and amphibian display hall. Over 30,000 people from all over the world benefited by visiting our centre last year and seeing the creatures of the marsh displayed. Live animal presentations, both onsite and offsite, allow the Wye Marsh to promote habitat conservation by introducing people to the reptiles and amphibians themselves. These exciting and entertaining shows are one of the greatest tools to educate the public about the complexity of ecosystems. With Honda's support, new cages, fixtures and displays will be purchased. New transportation equipment will also ensure the animal's safety while traveling to schools, resorts, functions and birthday parties. This will allow us to reach outside our physical boundaries, bringing the Wye Marsh to you.
This financial support from Honda Canada will ensure the best possible animal care while providing an enriched quality of life for the animals.
Wye Marsh Goes Even Greener!
Everyone knows the Wye Marsh is green with plants and trees. Did you know we're also working hard to reduce our impact on the environment we love? Using solar panels, composting toilets and waterless gardening, to name just a few new initiatives, we're reducing our footprint on the Earth.
The Wye Marsh has a solar photovoltaic system that will soon be running the lights and pumps in our animal tanks. Producing up to 400 watts of power, the system is complete with batteries to store the energy, and inverters to change the electrical current from DC to AC. Come and have a look at this latest technology, set up close to our back patio.
We have two composting toilets for use at the Marsh. These are low maintenance, odourless, and will supply us with good compost for the gardens here. They help to reduce our water consumption, a benefit to both the environment and our budget!
Reduced water use is also the idea behind the Xeriscape garden at the front entrance. This lovely little garden was developed last fall with the generous donation of plants and time from Norman 's Garden Gallery. It has since had plant additions from the Wildflower Gardeners and Wildflower Farm, not to mention Mother Nature herself! Xeriscape gardening involves the use of drought-tolerant plants to reduce water use and the need for fertilizers and pesticides. Native species are often the best choice since they are well adapted to local conditions, and provide food and shelter for wildlife species. Our garden has only been watered when new plants are establishing themselves.
The Wye Marsh has plans to erect a 10KW wind turbine on the property. This system will supply some of our electricity needs and help to offset hydro costs, but more importantly, it will be an excellent educational tool for both adults and children. Wind power is often looked at with skepticism, so this turbine will provide a chance to get up close and personal with this renewable energy source. We have secured half the funding for this project, and hope to find the remainder soon. Funding will also be sought to develop educational programs and erect information signs.
Vermicomposting is a great way to keep certain foods out of the waste stream, while producing rich compost for your garden. Using red wiggler worms, a bin can be set up in your kitchen or classroom and used year-round. The Wye Marsh has worm kits and worms for sale.
Energy conservation is one of the best and easiest ways to reduce our ecological footprint. The staff at the Marsh are turning off lights and computers when they're not being used, turning down heaters in the winter, and using scrap paper for some photocopies. We even have 3 goats to cut our grass! They don't produce harmful emissions and give us free fertilizer.
We are proud of our commitment to sustainable and healthy living. Please ask us for more information on any of these areas. And remember to walk gently!
Inclusive Trail Construction and Maintenance Guidelines Project Receives Ontario Trillium Foundation Grant
January 23rd, 2006
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The Trails for All Ontarians Collaborative (TAOC), of which Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre is a member, has received an Ontario Trillium Foundation Grant ($97,500) to develop guidelines for the construction and maintenance of recreation trails that are environmentally sustainable and accessible to people of different abilities. The guidelines will provide step-by-step information for the current “best practices” for inclusive recreation trail construction and maintenance. Inclusive recreation trails are those that follow the principles of sustainable and universal design. Sustainability ensures that the trail is compatible with the surrounding environment and supported by the local community. Universal design focuses on meeting the needs of the widest possible range of users, including people of all ages and abilities.
Wye Marsh initiated its own accessibility project three years ago making the entire site accessible through trail improvements and the purchase of adaptive equipment. Wye Marsh is the first outdoor environmental centre to attempt this and has become know for the success of this project. All peoples can now enjoy the Wye Marsh and all it has to offer.
The TAOC is a joint endeavour of trail and accessibility organizations from across the province. Organizations and networks cooperating on the project include The Abilities Centre, Oak Ridges Trail Association, Active Living Alliance for Canadians with a Disability, Township of Uxbridge, Trans Canada Trail-Ontario, Pathways to Health Committee, Variety Village, Haliburton Highlands Trails and Tours Network, Huronia Trails and Greenways, Kawartha Lakes Green Trails Alliance, Fitness Friends, Go for Green, Ontario Trails Council, Hike Ontario, Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre, City of Toronto, Quetico Provincial Park, Central Ontario Loop Trail, Active Living Resource Centre for Ontarians with a Disability and the Active Living Coalition for Older Adults.
The Trails for All Ontarians Collaborative was formed because of the substantial amount of “misinformation” and erroneous assumptions that are commonly held regarding the nature of “accessible” recreation trails. It is a myth that a trail must have a paved surface and be constructed with heavy equipment in order for it to provide access to people with a wide range of abilities. Traditionally, trail groups have been sceptical of accessibility issues because of the construction and maintenance demands required in the built environment. Similarly, accessibility groups are strong advocates for trails that provide access to a wide variety of natural environments and experiences. The focus of the TAOC is ensuring that all Ontarians, including those with disabilities, can benefit from a range of trail experiences (from highly urbanized settings to wilderness) that are developed in a way that respects and enhances protection for the natural environment.
For more information, please contact:
Abilities Centre
500 Victoria St. W., Whitby, LIN 2M8
905-430-4343
info@abilitiescentre.com
Winds of Change - New Wye Marsh Developments
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Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre is embarking on a new and exciting project that will make the centre more interactive, fun and a better environment for learning about wetlands.
Wye Marsh has a reputation of being a quality facility offering exceptional programs for all people. It also has a long history of financial challenges since 1985 when government funding ceased. Since then, Wye Marsh has received no annual core funding, i.e. funding that can be counted on yearly to cover operating expenses. Project funds are solicited separately however they do not cover operating costs such as heating, electricity, etc.
Volunteers and staff undertook a strategic plan process over the last 2 years resulting in some recommendations. If the Wye Marsh is to remain a viable operation for years to come, attendance must be increased. Schools can no longer be counted on as a major source of visitation revenue due to increased bussing costs and reduced budgets. Wye Marsh must find new ways to generate income. Staff are continuing to develop new programs for both on site and off site. Expenses are being kept to a minimum, with everyone conscious of costs.
As a result of the strategic planning, it was decided that the visitor centre needed a face lift and the entrance be made more attractive and interactive. We needed to create a “wow” when people visit. Michael Hough, a world renowned environmental landscape architect and a long time supporter of Wye Marsh was consulted. There is now a concept model along with two colour drawings at the marsh for all to see.
The Plan:
Note: all changes will be sustainable both financially and in their energy use and will be used as a teaching example for the general public. This is also a multi-year plan with 3 stages of development. An environmental assessment is underway for the first stage of this project. Start up funding is actively being sought.
The parking lot will be moved over to the scrubby area beside the current parking lot. It will be made of porous pavement to allow rainwater to soak through and move towards the new wetland. The existing parking lot will become a series of wetlands with the largest the first one you see when you drive in.
The first visual will be a small windmill on a tower above an underwater viewing area. After you park you will be naturally directed to a covered ramp leading under the largest of the wetland ponds to the underwater viewing area. These windows will be kept clean with bubbling ozone and the sight line will be at the water level so one can see both above and below the wetland. Logs will be strategically placed to allow turtles to sunbathe within sight. A Muskrat lodge will be created to allow a family to move in. The roof of the underwater walkway will be a green roof.
The wetland ponds will be intensively managed, as they will house more animals than a normal wetland would. This is to guarantee that the visitor sees a variety of life while there. Walking berms and boardwalks with dip net stations will be throughout the area. Water will be circulated through the wetland ponds by windmills placed at the back of the whole complex, in the same sight line as the smaller wind turbine you see as you drive in. The largest wetland will also be used for winter ice skating.
A separate children’s water play area will be built. This will be similar to the one at Ontario Place (designed by Michael Hough as well). A steady current of water will be present that children can change, manipulate, and play in. Change rooms, a shower and composting toilet will be provided along with picnic areas. Solar power and batteries will run the water circulation for this play area. Water purification will be through ultra violet light treatment.
There will be a butterfly garden built beside the wetland ponds that will be open year round. The Wildflower gardens will be incorporated into the whole site plan with minimal disturbance.
The building itself will undergo some renovations. A cafeteria will be added, a new store, and roof top gardens and a terrace! Large aquarium will be installed to house indigenous fish and turtle species. An indoor beehive will also be installed. Gray water from the building will be treated through a natural system and not be routed through the septic as is the current practise. All hot water will be heated with solar energy.
Estimated Costs
Total estimated cost for stage 1: two million
Additional stages of development:
- There will be an electric vehicle(s) to take visitors down to the marsh with interpretation. Birds of Prey will be located in the glade.
- Waterfowl will be kept for display at the Swan Treatment pond, one pair of each species that live in Ontario.
- A new centre will be built where the tower is now. It is planned to be a dome shape, similar to the biosphere in Montreal. It will be multi level, with interactive exhibits, computer driven modeling games (effects of floods, wetland ecosystems etc), and will be high enough to see the whole Wye Valley.
At the same time Wye Marsh is working with Ducks Unlimited, Ministry of Natural resources and Canadian Wildlife Service to develop a management plan for the whole valley. It consists of provincial and federal land and Ducks Unlimited have control over the water levels in the marsh. There will be channels opened up in the marsh and work done to slow the aggressive growth of cattail. Use of the forested areas will be looked at closely as hiking and biking trails are developed. Species at Risk will continue to be studied and monitored.
If you have any questions of concerns, please talk to Wye Marsh staff about this project.
Sincerely,
Laurie Schutt - Executive Director
