City of Peterborough Participating in Upcoming City Nature Challenge

The City of Peterborough has joined the City Nature Challenge (CNC), a global bioblitz competition to record nature sightings within Peterborough municipal boundaries from April 28 to May 1.

photo courtesy of the city of peterborough.

Tracking nature observations is valuable to help understand the biodiversity of local species and assists in identifying population changes over time. Many wildlife populations are at risk of declining with habitat loss being the most significant hazard impacting Ontario species.

On Saturday, April 29, an in-person bio-blitz is scheduled at Jackson Park (610 Parkhill Rd.) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The City is partnering with the Peterborough Field Naturalists to lead the Jackson Park bio-blitz. Specific wildlife-themed searches will occur, including bird, plants, mushrooms and insect counts.

To aid in recording wildlife observations during the bio-blitz, the iNaturalist app will be used to upload sightings of species spotted through the use of a unique Peterborough project event page. In addition, any nature observations recorded from April 28 to May 1 in Peterborough are eligible for the CNC competition and can be posted to the Peterborough iNaturalist page.

“The City Nature Challenge is citizen science in action. I invite residents to join us on April 29 for the BioBlitz. This event is a great opportunity for residents to connect with each other and with nature at Jackson Park, a well-loved urban park that is home to many forms of wildlife. Information gathered during the BioBlitz will support scientific research and contribute to our understanding of how climate change impacts biodiversity,” said Councillor Joy Lachica, Chair of the City’s Environment and Climate Change portfolio.

All observations will be verified by volunteers to confirm the correct species identification uploaded to iNaturalist. The CNC will tally the total confirmed observations from participating communities world-wide and announce the winners for the most sightings per community’s population size and area. A detailed schedule of the event will be posted online.

To learn more about how to participate, visit Peterborough City Nature Challenge web page.

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Kirkfield Lift Lock To Close For The Season This Friday

The Kirkfield Lift Lock will close for the season this Friday according to Parks Canada.

File photo.

On Sept. 2 the Kirkfield Lift Lock suffered a mechanical failure resulting in the site’s closure. Parks Canada team members have been onsite working to transit vessels to their home ports that cannot be trailered.

If your vessel cannot be trailered and you need to return to your home port, contact Parks Canada no later than Thursday at trentsevern@pc.gc.ca. Include your full name, phone number, length and beam of your vessel, your current location, your home port and any additional special needs that our lock team needs to be aware of, such as accessibility issues. The final pre-arranged lockage for the season at the Kirkfield Lift Lock will take place on Friday.

Vessels going up will experience a lockage time of approximately six hours, while down-bound vessels will experience a lockage time of approximately 30 minutes.

Boaters (and pets) will be asked to disembark their vessels while the transfer is underway.

Do not arrive at the Lift Lock until the agreed upon date and time, as there are no amenities within walking distance of the site (restaurants, accommodations, etc.). Access to washroom facilities and shelter in the case of inclement weather will be made available.

The parkland around the Lift Lock will remain closed to the public.

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Otonabee Conservation To Plant Over 30,000 Trees For National Forest Week

Otonabee Conservation is celebrating National Forest Week by planting over 30,000 trees and shrubs this fall season.

Photo courtesy of Otonabee Conservation.

National Forest Week from Sept. 18-24 encourages Canadians to learn more about forest heritage and increases awareness about the value of forests as a fundamental part of our culture, traditions, economy and history.

Each year, Otonabee Conservation celebrates with tree plantings across the watershed. Plantings will take place through the fall season, not just during National Forest Week.

The Otonabee Conservation will plant over 30,000 trees and shrubs with the help of a number of community partners, including including City of Peterborough, Township of Douro-Dummer, Selwyn Township, Siemens Canada, NEFAB, Skyline Developments, LCBO, Peterborough Humane Society and students from Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board and Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board secondary schools.

These plantings are supported financially through Tree Canada, TD Canada Trust and One Tree Planted.

“We are looking forward to coming together with hundreds of community members and students to plant trees across the watershed this fall,” said Otonabee Conservation CAO Janette Loveys Smith. “Trees provide many benefits to us each day, and as they grow, they provide us with a natural climate change solution.”

Planting trees helps regulate temperatures and provides shelter to wildlife.

Trees filter the air we breathe, capture carbon dioxide mitigating climate change and stabilize the ground preventing erosion and reducing stormwater runoff/ flooding.

For more information visit the Otonabee Conservation website.

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Warsaw Caves And Beavermead Campground Will Be Open For Spelunking And Boat Rentals This Season

After being closed for two years due to pandemic restrictions, the Warsaw Caves will open for spelunking this season and boat rentals will be available at Warsaw Caves Conservation Area (CA) and Beavermead Campground.

Meade Creek. Photo courtesy of Otonabee Conservation.

“We are excited to invite visitors back to Warsaw Caves; it is a popular spot for visitors to the are who are looking for a unique outdoor experience in nature,” said Otonabee Conservation’s Manager of Conservation Lands, Jessie James, “Warsaw Caves offers an exciting opportunity to explore caves, kettles, limestone cliffs and ledges, underground channels, and other interesting natural features on the landscape.”

While Covid restrictions ease across the province, visitors to the caves this season will be encouraged to wear a mask in enclosed spaces and to act safely by distancing from others in close quarters and along the trail.

Canoe and kayak rentals will also once again be available to visitors at Warsaw Caves CA and Beavermead Campground.

At Warsaw Caves CA, paddlers can enjoy a trip along the Indian River with flat water and a gentle current. At Beavermead Campground, paddlers can access Meade Creek and paddle out into Little Lake and along the Otonabee River into downtown Peterborough.

Canoe and kayak rentals include the use of paddles, personal floatation devices, and the required safety gear. Sanitation stations will be set up to disinfect equipment before and after use.

Conservation Areas open for day-use and camping on Friday, May 13th, 2022. Campers are encouraged to visit otonabeeconservation.com to plan their outdoor adventure in the Kawartha’s and learn more about the Conservation Areas within the Otonabee Region Watershed that provide a diverse range of outdoor activities for all ages.

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Hundreds of Anglers Reeling for 'Walter' In Fishing Derby's Return After Two-Year Hiatus

After a two-year hiatus, the 33rd Annual Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) Under the Lock Fishing Derby kicked off with their youth event — for children 15 and under — on Saturday morning.

Photo courtesy of Neil Morton.

Hundreds of young anglers showed up to catch one of 3,000 fish that were released into the canal including the famed grand-prize “Walter,” a rainbow trout weighing roughly eight to 10 pounds. Anyone who caught Walter would walk away with $1,000 cash.

The all-ages derby runs from May 1 to 8 and includes 18 tagged fish, each with a $200 cash prize sponsored by local businesses.

The event was postponed for the last two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Photo courtesy of Neil Morton.

Registration is required for all participants: $15 for the first child, $10 for siblings and $25 for adults. 

The OFAH headquarters is in Peterborough.

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3,000 Fish Released Into Canal To Launch 33rd Annual OFAH Under the Lock Fishing Derby

The Peterborough Lift Lock canal got more lively as members of the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) dumped 3,000 fish into the water to launch the 33rd Annual Under the Lock Fishing Derby on Wednesday.

Top-prize fish ‘Walter’ is being released into the Lift Lock Canal by David Ryrie, OFAH director of communications (left) and Gordon Bowley, fishing derby chairman (right). Walter is a rainbow trout weighing from eight to 10 pounds. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The derby begins this Saturday with the youth event — for children 15 and under — at 9 a.m. and the all-ages kicking off Sunday at 9 a.m. This is the first Derby in two years to run due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The OFAH is thrilled to host this showcase community event, which provides a great outdoors experience for children to create memories alongside their family and friends,” says David Ryrie, OFAH Supervisor of Outreach Programs. “After two years of the pandemic impacting our ability to host this great event, we are thrilled to be able to provide this fishing derby again and can’t wait to see kids win hundreds of prizes and have a lucky angler catch Walter.” 

The 500 trout are tagged for instant prizes with a chance to win one of four grand prizes. The ’big fish’ grand prize of $1,000 goes to the angler that catches Walter, a rainbow trout estimated to weigh between 8 and 10 lbs. 

The all-ages derby runs from May 1-8 and includes 18 tagged fish, each with a $200 cash prize sponsored by local businesses.

Registration is required for all participants: $15 for the first child, $10 for siblings and $25 for adults. 

You can purchase tickets online at ofah.org/underthelock, at the event or in person at Peterborough Canadian Tire locations. 

“It really is about a family experience whether you’ve fished for years or you want to come with your kids/grandkids and put a line out there,'“ said Ryrie. “It’s a fantastic way to start spring now that the snow, knock-on-wood, is gone.”

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Campers Can Book Sites At Beavermead And Warsaw Caves As Of March 1

Campers will be able to book sites online at Otonabee Conservation’s two campgrounds, Warsaw Caves Conservation Area (CA) and Beavermead Campground, on March 1.

Photo courtesy of Otonabee Conservation.

The reservation system allows campers to view a map of the campground, select a site, and then book, pay for, and schedule their stay in an efficient, user-friendly, and convenient way. Campers are asked to utilize the online reservation system to book their sites ahead of their trip, which will ensure a campsite is available for them.

The online reservation system will go live on March 1, at 10 a.m. Campers are encouraged to reserve their campsite through the Let’s Camp online reservation platform. Those wishing to book a site at Warsaw Caves CA can visit letscamp.ca/camps/warsaw-caves and at Beavermead Campground can visit letscamp.ca/camps/beavermead-campground.

This year, Otonabee Conservation hopes to be able to open the Caves and The Caves Trail at Warsaw Caves CA, that have been closed since Spring 2020.

“The Caves and The Caves Trail have been closed during the pandemic,” said Jessie James, Manager of Conservation Lands at Otonabee Conservation. “With Provincial restrictions easing in the coming weeks, we hope to be able to open the Caves for spelunking this Spring. We are also working on a plan to open kayak and canoe rentals this season. Campers and day-use visitors should stay tuned for official announcements in the coming weeks.”

Campers are encouraged to visit otonabeeconservation.com to plan their outdoor adventure in the Kawartha’s and learn more about the Conservation Areas within the Otonabee Region Watershed that provide a diverse range of outdoor activities for all ages.

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