About Ted

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So far Ted has created 14 blog entries.

Beware of dive-bombing Redwings

by Ted Farnworth When I first took on the job of trying to clean up the pond of Flowering Rush (Butomus umbellatus L.), I was warned about the Snapping Turtles (Chelydra serpentine). Apparently we have some pretty big ones living and nesting around d the pond. The boot sucking muck on the bottom was also [...]

2018-08-24T18:32:54-04:00July 2nd, 2018|Fletcher Wildlife Garden|

Turtle alert

by Ted Farnworth When I arrived at the pond this morning – before the rain, I met a brave/foolhardy father and daughter who had just put a female snapping turtle into the pond. They found it making a nest in the parking lot. Maybe it was better than getting run over. Anyways, it seems that [...]

2018-08-15T14:37:50-04:00June 13th, 2018|Fletcher Wildlife Garden|

FWG Volunteer Spring Fling

By Ted Farnworth This year’s Fletcher Wildlife Garden Spring Fling attracted over thirty new and return volunteers. It was a good time to get caught up with old long time friends, and to talk about activities planned this season for the Garden. The potluck lunch was enjoyed by all. Most people join the Fletcher volunteer [...]

2018-05-06T21:28:00-04:00May 4th, 2018|Fletcher Wildlife Garden|

Back Yard Garden Black Locust Trees

By Ted Farnworth Stumps of two Black Locust trees removed from the edge of the Backyard Garden this week. Over the years we have watched the Black Locust trees spread up the north side of the ravine at the FWG. The week or so when they are in bloom has brought many oohs [...]

2018-04-18T00:53:39-04:00April 15th, 2018|Fletcher Wildlife Garden|

The FWG’s Amphibian Pond – 2017

by Ted Farnworth   South bank of the pond spread with topsoil ready for planting, spring 2017 The rejuvenation of the Amphibian Pond, started in earnest in the fall of 2016, when a contractor brought in heavy duty equipment to dredge out the bottom sediment and spread it out along the south bank [...]

2018-04-16T13:38:07-04:00March 3rd, 2018|Fletcher Wildlife Garden|

Some success pulling Dog Strangling Vine in 2017

By Ted Farnworth Picked DSV in early June 2017 Most years we spend a lot of time battling Dog Strangling Vine (DSV) at the FWG. Over the years, we have developed many techniques. The most labour intensive method is “just pulling the plant.” This very low tech activity is ideal for many people [...]

2018-02-06T03:09:37-05:00February 2nd, 2018|Fletcher Wildlife Garden|

Plaque honouring James Fletcher

OFNC's historian, Dan Brunton (left), was on hand to provide background when Catherine McKenna, Minister of the Environment, unveiled a plaque recognizing James Fletcher  By Ted Farnworth On February 15, 2016, James Fletcher was designated a national historic person of Canada by Parks Canada. A plaque to honour him was dedicated on November 9, 2017 by Catherine McKenna, [...]

2017-12-30T21:44:03-05:00November 29th, 2017|Fletcher Wildlife Garden|

Work on the Amphibian Pond

By Ted Farnworth The amphibian pond has been helped and hurt by the record rains that we have experienced. The good news is that many of the plants that we planted in the spring have done well thanks to the frequent downpours. But the rains have also encouraged rapid growth of many types of weeds [...]

2018-01-03T00:23:54-05:00July 24th, 2017|Fletcher Wildlife Garden|

Ottawa School Board students visit the FWG

By Ted Farnworth Students from the Ottawa School Board The Ottawa School Board offers summer classes to new Canadians as a way of giving their students more opportunities to improve their English, get more comfortable with a school setting, and as a way to learn more about the city and country they now [...]

2018-01-03T00:29:45-05:00July 20th, 2017|Fletcher Wildlife Garden|

Our Sandy gets an award

By Ted Farnworth Friends of the Earth plaque The subject of pollinators is hot one right now. More and more people are coming to understand how important these insects are, especially because of the role they play in the growing of many fruits and vegetables. We, at the Fletcher, often tell people that [...]

2018-01-03T00:30:52-05:00June 29th, 2017|Fletcher Wildlife Garden|