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December 2014

Celebrating Connections with Nature

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Often we learn about nature far removed from us. But many members of the Chatham-Kent community have intriguing experiences to share about their connection with nature in Canada’s Deep South. As a class project students in a Restoration Ecology class at Western University interviewed members of the Chatham-Kent community about their connection with nature. The project was completed in collaboration with Carolinian Canada Coalition and the Municipality of Chatham-Kent. Nine of the resulting stories celebrating these connections have recently been printed in the Sydenham Current online newspaper and the Ridgetown Independent News. You can view all the stories on our website at:

caroliniancanada.ca/grow-wild/stories

Thanks to the support of Environment Canada, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and a host of other partners for supporting our programs to "Green the Future of Canada’s Deep South".

Kelly Johnson, Habitat Stewardship Specialist

Go Wild - Grow Wild 2015
SAVE THE DATE: April 17-18, 2015

London, Ontario
Contact admin@carolinian.org for more information
Find Out More
This spring, Carolinian Canada invites you to connect with natural allies at a major new event. Celebrate Earth Week with your conservation community and engage new supporters to save, steward and seed native plants. Saturday: Participate in an expo for the nature-lover, the gardener and the outdoor adventurer from Toronto to Windsor. Explore the ‘secret garden’ of Canada’s Deep South with 100 exhibitors, mini-workshops, demonstrations, Landowner Leaders, hands-on activities, tour opportunities & more. Friday: Connect with other groups on hot topics, cross-sector forums, networking, reception, Carolinian Canada AGM and awards. Join Earth Day Canada, Ontario NativeScape and many others. The participant list is growing.
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Carolinian Canada EcoTrail Program
What’s Your Sign?

If you’re like me, you like taking pictures of interpretive signs – the good, the bad and the ugly. If you have photos of interpretive signs you can share with us, please do! You will be helping develop our EcoTrail Nature Interpretation program. E-mail sign photos to Bronwen Buck, woodland@carolinian.org – let us know where your sign is located and what you like (or don’t like) about it.
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Congratulations to the Young Conservation Professional Graduates!

Photo: Sarah Hodgkiss, Carolinian Canada’s Program Manager, a YCP7 graduate, and Jen van Overbeeke, Carolinian Canada’s Outreach Assistant, a new YCP10 graduate

Congratulations to Jen van Overbeeke and the rest of the Young Conservation Professionals, Year 10, who graduated at the Latornell Conservation Symposium on November 19. YCP is a year-long personal and professional development program serving the conservation and environmental sector in Ontario. Applications for next year will be accepted until January 31, 2015. You can learn more about the program at ycpleadership.ca
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2013/2014 Financial Statements Available
The 2013/2014 fiscal year audited financial statements for Carolinian Canada are now available upon request. If you would like to view a copy of the 2013/2014 audited please contact network@carolinian.org
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Save. Steward. Seed
Click here to join, or renew your membership with the Coalition.
Your support helps save species, steward ecosystems and seed habitats in the Carolinian Life Zone. Together we are a strong community.
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Opportunities for Comment

Help Protect the Bees
December - January, Ontario
Ontario Nature
Register to Attend Public Consultations or call 1-877-1300
Many of Ontario’s bees are suffering rapid declines due to habitat destruction and exposure to pesticides like neonicotinoids. On November 25th, the provincial government announced a plan to reduce the use of neonicotinoids on corn and soybean by 80 percent by 2017. This target is a bold and necessary step to address the threats that these pesticides pose to human and ecosystem health. Public consultations on the proposal begin this week:

    • Wednesday, December 10, 2014; 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. - English Webex Session 2
    • Thursday, December 11; 9:00 a.m. to Noon - Toronto Public Meeting
    • Monday, December 15, 1:00 - 3:00 - French Webex Session
    • Wednesday, January 14, 2015, 9:00 a.m. to Noon - Kingston Public Meeting
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Ontario Nature: Endangered Species Act Hearing Date Set
Hearing January 14-15, Ontario
Ontario Nature
contact Anne Bell at anneb@ontarionature.org
The date for Ontario Nature's hearing regarding the Endangered Species Act has been set for January 14-15, 2015. It will be 1 1/2 days in front of three judges (to be determined) in the divisional court. If you would like any further information on this you can contact Anne Bell at anneb@ontarionature.org or 416-444-8419 ext. 239
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CCC in the News

Articles published as part of a series in the Sydenham Current

Dealing with ‘spaces at risk’ – Jen South
Read the Article Here

Encouraging appreciation, preservation, and conservation - Breana Harkins
Read the Article Here

Nature is the best classroom - Elaine Chu
Read the Article Here

Big Picture Talks

The Descendants of Giants: In Search of Exemplary Specimens of At Risk Trees in Southern Ontario's Oak Ridges Moraine

A Major Research Paper from Derek May of York University

Prior to settlement by Europeans, southern Ontario was blanketed by dense mixed deciduous forests that had been shaping, and were being shaped by, the landscape for over 10,000 years. Today, over 95% of these once expansive forests have been cleared for agriculture and other forms of development. This extensive clearance and land use alteration has imperiled the continued existence of many of southern Ontario's native tree species. Compounding this predicament has been a long history of over-harvesting the fittest trees in the forest, as well as the more recent introduction and spread of invasive species.

Through my work as a Masters of Environmental Studies student at York University, I surveyed five conservation areas at the western edge of the Oak Ridges Moraine for exemplary specimens of rare or at risk trees. I catalogued the locations of these trees, took basic measurements, and plotted this data on a Google fusion table and map

Click Here to Read the Full Article, View the Map, and Download the Paper

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Members Notice Board

Announcements

Grand River Tree Orders for Spring
October - March, Grand River Watershed
Grand River Conservation Authority
Click Here to Learn More
Planning on planting this spring? If you live in the Grand River region, you can order your trees from the GRCA online. You can plant yourself, or arrange for GRCA to do it for you.
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Canadian Bird Research and Conservation Project Funding Available
Due December 15, Canada
Bird Studies Canada
Click Here to Learn More
Bird Studies Canada is accepting applications to the James L. Baillie Memorial Fund for Bird Research and Preservation. A portion of funds raised through the annual Baillie Birdathon are allocated to the fund to provide grants to individuals or groups for projects that further BSC's mission.
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Watershed Champions Award
by April 17, 2015, Canada
Evergreen
Click Here to Learn More
Evergreen is offering eight awards of $2,500 and one grand prize award of $3,500 to publicly funded classes (Grades K-12) across Canada, just for learning about water! All you have to do is learn about water, take action to care for your watershed, and then tell Evergreen all about it.
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28th Project Feeder Watch Begins
November 8, North America
Bird Studies Canada
Click Here to Learn More
Join thousands of volunteers across North America, and turn your bird feeding hobby into research for bird conservation. Your counts will help scientists monitor changes in winter feeder-bird populations. You choose how much time you want to spend. New participants receive a kit with a handbook, a bird identification poster, a calendar, and an instruction booklet. Results are published in BirdWatch Canada and Winter Bird Highlights.
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Grants Available for Landowners, Environment
November, Essex Region
Essex Region Conservation Authority
Click Here to Learn More
The Essex Region Conservation Authority is offering grants to landowners who wish to add ecological value to their land, providing up to 90% funding for projects. Contact ERCA at 519-776-5209 x. 310 for more information.
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Shoreline Design Manual
November, Essex Region
Essex Region Conservation Authority
Download the Manual
The Essex Region Conservation Authority, the Detroit River Cleanup Committee, government, and other partners have worked together to create the Detroit River Canadian Shore Restoration alternatives Selection Manual to guide design practitioners, contractors and the public when designing shoreline protection along the river.
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Get Ready for the Bird Studies Canada Christmas Bird Count!
December 15 - January 5, Canada
Bird Studies Canada
Click Here to Learn More
Join more than 13,000 of Canadian birders to help advance bird research for another year. BSC relies on donations to make the count possible, so donate online to support the count. Also, don't miss the Count for Kids, a fun and engaging bird-watching event for aspiring young birders.
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Ontario Sport and Recreation Communities Fund
by February 2, Ontario
Government of Ontario
Click Here to Learn More
The OSRCF grant program supports a vision of getting and keeping Ontarians active in community sport, recreation and physical activity. Learn more by attenting upcoming information sessions in London, St. Thomas, and via Teleconference. Grant contacts for more information and to attend a session can be found through the link.
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Nominations for the ERCA Conservation Awards Extended
By December 19, Essex Region
Essex Region Conservation Authority
Click Here to Learn More
ERCA are looking for nominations in the categories of Youth, Education, Volunteer, and Environmental Achievement. Do you know a conservation conservationist?
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Project Dragonfly: Graduate Programs for Social and Ecological Change
Apply by January 28, 2015, Ohio, USA
Miami University
Click Here to Learn More
Miami University's Project Dragonfly is accepting applications for its master's degrees and graduate courses that take place at conservation sites internationally and at U.S. zoos. The deadline to apply to the Global Field Program is January 28, and the deadline to apply to the zoo-based Advanced Inquiry Program is February 28.
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Events

Lambton Wildlife - Christmas Bird Count
December - January, Lambton County
Lambton Wildlife Incorporated
Click Here to Learn More
Join Lambton Wildlife for their Christmas Bird Count with Chili dinner presented by the Friends of Pinery Park. Also, learn about underwater photography with Christine Roenspiess at the January talk.
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Urban Deer, Monarchs in Peril, and Restoring Nature
January, London
Nature London
Click Here to Learn More
The Nature in the City lecture series continues this January with three great talks. Urban Deer: Co-existing with Bambi, with speaker Kyle Stanley of the Ministry of Natural Resources. Monarchs in Peril: Why are they Disappearing? with monarch tagger Bruce Parker. Restoring Nature: A Helping Hand for Beleaguered Ecosystems, with Mhairi McFarlane of the Nature Conservancy.
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Winter Adventure Camps
December, Brantford and Waterloo
Ontario Biodiversity Council
Click Here to Register
Winter Adventure Camps are taking place at Apps’ Mill (near Brantford), Laurel Creek (Waterloo) and Guelph Lake on Dec. 22, 23, 29 and 30. Children 6 to 12 can come for one day or all four days.
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Save the Date: Ontario Biodiversity Summit
May 19, Niagara Falls
Ontario Biodiversity Council
Click Here to Learn More
The Ontario Biodiversity Council will host the Ontario Biodiversity Summit May 19th to May 22nd 2015 in Niagara Falls at the Marriott Gateway on the Falls
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In this Month's News

Go Wild - Grow Wild 2015 SAVE THE DATE: April 17-18, 2015

What’s Your Sign?

Congratulations to the Young Conservation Professional Graduates!

2013/2014 Financial Statements Available

Opportunities for Comment
Here

Help Protect the Bees

Ontario Nature: Endangered Species Act Hearing Date Set

CCC in the News
Read the Latest Headlines

Big Picture Talks

The Descendants of Giants

Member Announcements
Here

Grand River Tree Orders for Spring

Canadian Bird Research and Conservation Project Funding Available

Watershed Champions Award

28th Project Feeder Watch Begins

Grants Available for Landowners, Environment

Shoreline Design Manual

Get Ready for the Bird Studies Canada Christmas Bird Count!

Ontario Sport and Recreation Communities Fund

Submit a Nomination for the ERCA Conservation Awards

Project Dragonfly: Graduate Programs for Social and Ecological Change

Member Events
Here

Lambton Wildlife - Christmas Bird Count

Urban Deer, Monarchs in Peril, and Restoring Nature

Winter Adventure Camps

Save the Date: Ontario Biodiversity Summit

Why is Carolinian Canada Coalition Unique? Click here to find out. The Carolinian Canada Coalition connects people who care about nature in southwestern Ontario. Together our members give strong voice to a green future and a healthy landscape. Visit this link to support our work.

Carolinian Canada Coalition News Network: Connecting Our Community

Reach people across southwestern Ontario. If your event or announcement promotes the protection and restoration of our natural heritage in Carolinian Canada, we'd love to hear about it.

Carolinian Canada Coalition Board of Directors

Read more about the Coalition and our board here

Don Pearson (Chair)
Ron Wu-Winter (Vice-Chair)
Gordon Nelson (Past-Chair)
Mark Helm (Secretary)
Chris Turner (Treasurer)
Dawn Bazely
Kristen Bernard
Caroline Biribauer
Tara Borwick
Brian Craig
Mary Elder
Carla Grant
Audrey Heagy
Alistair MacKenzie
John Urquhart
Owen Williams
Jim Oliver

Help Us Grow Carolinian Canada

Feel free to forward this Eco-News to help 'grow' our community of people who care about the unique nature of Carolinian Canada. To receive Carolinian Canada Eco-News, click here. There is no obligation and we will not share your e-mail with anyone else. We are a registered charity.

Thank you to our generous partners, sponsors and contributors who support Carolinian Canada Eco-News and other vital programs to green the future of southwestern Ontario.

Our Vision is to protect and restore the unique nature of southwestern Ontario's Carolinian Life Zone through effective collaboration and researched understanding for healthy, balanced and sustainable landscapes.
Yours in Conservation,

Michelle Kanter

Homepage | Subscribe | Update Your Profile | Submit a Carolinian Zone Event | Unsubscribe

Carolinian Canada Coalition brings together diverse groups and individuals to advance a collaborative conservation strategy for healthy ecosystems and thriving communities in the Carolinian Life Zone. Stretching from Toronto to Windsor, Canada’s Deep South is among North America’s most vibrant and fragile ecoregions.

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This email has been sent on behalf of the Carolinian Canada Coalition Staff and Board
Learn more about Carolinian Canada’s Staff: caroliniancanada.ca/staff
Learn more about Carolinian Canada’s Board: caroliniancanada.ca/board-directors

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Carolinian Canada Coalition

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201 King Street
London, ON N6A 1C9
Canada

all inquiries reply to: info@carolinian.org