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 [...]
by Lynn Ovenden, photos by Renate Sander-Regier Jessica Forrest checking her net for bees in the backyard garden at the Fletcher Wildlife Garden. Bees are big this year. On May 12, the Wild Pollinator Partners network, led by Sandy Garland and Renate Sander-Regier, hosted a workshop on bees at the Fletcher Wildlife Garden [...]
Call for bird photos by Anouk Hoedeman Safe Wings Ottawa is looking for photos of local birds in local habitat to illustrate the Ottawa Bird Strategy, a document we are developing based on the Vancouver Bird Strategy We specifically would like images showing: typical Ottawa bird(s) against recognizable backdrops like Parliament Hill birds in forests, wetlands, river, [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
FWG volunteers - Elizabeth Powles, Melanie Lyons, Catherine Shearer, plus 3 others - recognized for their exceptional work at the garden by Ted Farnworth At this year’s end-of-season brunch for volunteers, the Fletcher Wildlife Garden Management Committee presented volunteer recognition certificates to Christine Hanrahan, Sara Jinha, Melanie Lyons, Elizabeth Powles, Catherine Shearer, and Michelle St-Germaine. [...]
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, [...]
This year's OIPC conference included many field trips that allowed participants to try out tools, such as the green Weeder and orange Extractigator to remove dog-strangling vine and small shrubs. by Lynn Ovenden The Ontario Invasive Plants Council hosted their 10th annual meeting and conference in Ottawa this year. The event began on October 10, 2017 with [...]
