Biodiversity
Blue Mountains Bruce Trail Club – Biodiversity Committee
What Biodiversity Is – Biodiversity refers to the variety of life on earth, its interdependence, and how it interacts to support all of us.
What We Do – Our Biodiversity Committee works on projects that can contribute to the Bruce Trail Conservancy’s mission of preserving a ribbon of wilderness for everyone, forever. Our committee’s mission is “Biodiversity education through action and activities,” which we address through Education and Stewardship.
Why We Do It – The loss of one species through habitat destruction affects the lives of other species, including humans. Protecting and reintroducing species helps us all thrive.
How We Do It – Our activities include education, monitoring native and invasive species, removing invasive species, replanting native species, and any combination of the above. And having a great deal of fun while we do it!
Who we are – Program Coordinator: Robert (Bobby) Dowding, Committee Members: Stan Kaczmarek, Jim Lewis, Kate Jaczko, Steve McCauley, James Herington, Mary James and Mara Campbell.
Committee Projects
Avalon Meadow Seed Orchard
American Chestnut Planting Initiative
Garlic Mustard Pull
Managing Invasive Plants at the Dunedin Ravine Nature Reserve
| Milkweed Regeneration Project This fall (2023), dedicated BMBTC volunteers participated in a Milkweed Regeneration Project led by Dick Edwards, Stan Kaczmarek and Arie Van Walraven. They gathered seeds from mature milkweed plants in the milkweed-abundant Gardner property and relocated them to the milkweed-scarce Dunedin Ravine Nature Reserve property. The seeds were meticulously planted in 45 designated sites, disturbing the soil in a 24-inch circle and gently packing in the seeds. Each site was identified with a small stake and orange ribbon. Next spring, likely mid-May, when milkweeds are a few inches high, we will revisit the stakes and assess our success. Once established, milkweeds maintain their populations, which in turn benefits Monarchs. The project aims to foster milkweed growth in the Dunedin property, which is crucial for the nourishment of Monarch butterfly larvae. Through these small human interventions, we hope to help the Monarch Butterflies. Thank you to all the volunteers. |
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| Eastern Bluebird Boxes Project In spring 2023, club volunteers on the biodiversity committee built 12 Eastern Blue Bird nesting boxes. Three were installed on the Gardner property, and three were installed on the Dunedin property; both properties are part of the Blue Mountains Bruce Trail. In the spring of 2024, the bird boxes “in storage”, were installed on the McLeod property. The boxes were monitored and likely used by wrens instead of bluebirds this year. The boxes have since been cleaned out and are ready for new birds next year. During the summer of 2024, a bluebird was spotted on the Dunedin Nature Reserve Property, which was a positive sign. The box installations will be inspected and cleaned out this fall. The nest types will be identified and recorded |
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| Bee Houses In spring 2023, club volunteers on the biodiversity committee conducted an analysis of bee houses and determined that they are not needed on the BMBTC properties. Bee houses are used by mason bees and solitary wasps. Some scientists believe concentrating the bees in one place could lead to the spread of disease and parasites. Bee houses could also attract predators due to the concentration of insects. No evidence bee houses aid in bee conservation, especially in the wild, where they can nest in their natural habitat. Bee houses may be useful in urban areas or heavily farmed rural areas where their natural habitat is diminished. Habitat along the BMC trails is pretty good. |
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| Boot Brush Stations In an effort to improve awareness about the spread of invasive species, the BTC implemented a boot brush station installation program. To that end, BTC provided three stations to the Blue Mountain Club, which were received in kit form and assembled on-site. The 3 Stations were installed near Duntroon Crevices, Frank Kiln and NVCA’s Nottawasaga Bluffs Conservation Area parking areas. If you are interested in getting involved with our Biodiversity Committee, please send an email to: landsteward@bmbtc.org |
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