Conservationist of the Year Award

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For the first time in a few years, Lambton Shores Nature Trails was working on the Ipperwash Dunes & Swales trails. On a beautiful fall day, a devoted group of volunteers gave freely of their time to haul lumber and build fences. The work is meant to enhance the hiking experience while limiting the negative ecological footprint and fragmentation of the forest. Thanks to Emma from Nature Conservancy of Canada for hosting this workday and helping Lee T, Devin, Mike, Christine, Trixie, Sean, Sue, Michelle, Winston and Ross with the heavy lifting and workmanship!

A force of volunteers came out on a beautiful fall day to take on a multitude of tasks at the Ausable River Cut Conservation Area.  Thanks to Carolyn, Lee T, Michelle, Devin, Paul, Sean, Sue, Winston, Jen, Darren, Ed, Lee M, Mike and Ross for all their help to build a footbridge, remove the canoe/kayak launch & dock for the winter, repaint blazes, close a portion of the trail, remove a boardwalk, and remove an old sign.  PLEASE NOTE that the main (white blazed) trail has been changed and rerouted due to the permanent closure of the dune section of the trail at the back of the property.  You can still hike to the bench at the top of the dune and access the connector trail to the Port Franks Community Centre.

A new handrail topper has been added to the elevated boardwalk at the Ausable River Cut CA. Thanks to Ed, Mary Lou, Jen and Lee T for hauling the materials and the installation!  

The hardrails are routed and the one facing the river depicts a river scene with dunes, people fishing, kayaking, canoeing, tents, suns, birds, trees, etc. The dune side shows LOTS of dune grass.

Special thanks to Ross for routing, sanding and painting the boards!  Check it out the next time you visit. This was a fun project and another great addition to the Ausable River Cut.

LSNT was fortunate to host four engaging speakers at our recent Environmental Symposium, “Bee Aware – Plant With Care”: Nathan Schoelier of ABCA, Mike Smalls, Nancy Vidler of LSPCG and Jamie Corcoran of Lakeshore Eco-Network. Each speaker addressed a distinct topic, but all emphasized the importance of supporting the natural environment, whether it’s by planting native species or eradicating invasive ones! Our guests demonstrate a true passion for their roles as advocates and action-takers for our precious ‘Gems of Nature’. Thank you for sharing your enthusiasm and encouraging us to do our part!

Helping Hands, created by local Indigenous wood carver Garrett Nahdee, depicts the strength that volunteers bring to a community when they work together for the common good. Lambton Shores Nature Trails, a not for profit volunteer organization established in 2011 by naturalists Klaus Keunecke and Marilyn Keunecke-Smith, offers this sculpture in recognition of its volunteers and their tireless efforts to promote, develop, and maintain public nature trails through partnerships in Lambton Shores and vicinity.  Thanks to Lee M, Lee T, Mike, Christine, Ed and Ross for the installation and especially Garrett for his craftmanship and artistic vision!  The sculpture can be seen at the front of the Port Franks Community Centre.

A Love Lock Stand has been installed along the Grand Trunk Trail behind the trailhead in Forest. Thanks to Mike, Christine, Lee M, William, Ed and Ross for their efforts getting this installed.

Love locks are a romantic tradition where couples affix a padlock to a public structure and throw away the key as a symbol of their everlasting love and commitment to each other. Typically, couples will write their names, initials, or personal messages on the padlock before attaching it.

Create a special memory with your love at the Grand Trunk Love Lock Stand by attaching your padlock and depositing the key in the attached box.

Special thanks to Lee Main for his craftsmanship and welding skills.

We hosted our annual health and wellness bazaar at the Port Franks Community Centre. Despite the damp weather, over 150 people dropped by. Khaos Artisan Kitchen served a delicious assortment of sweet and savoury treats, breads, soups, sandwiches and gluten free lunch boxes. 

Our 26 vendors offered something for everyone including household items, jewelry, health and wellness products, mental health coaching, local art, crafts, quilts and much much more. We also had several health and wellness mini sessions which included mudra yoga, emotional freedom tapping technique, mini oracle readings, and reiki.  We would like to thank our tireless volunteers for their help in making this such a successful day. We would also like to thank our diverse group of vendors who made the day a success.

The rise in water level on Mud Creek was problematic for LSNT.  We used galvanized posts vertically stuck into the creek bed to hold the floating dock in place.  This allowed the to dock to rise and fall with the water levels.  Unfortunately, the water level got too high and lifted the dock above the posts.  A creative solution was fabricated by using two of these galvanized posts attached directly from the deck to the floating dock with a flexible joint on either end.  Thanks to Lee Main for his fabrication skills!