“Volunteering is the lifeblood of our communities. It’s not just about giving back; it’s about giving forward, and creating a better world for all of us.” – Michelle Obama
Sue & Sean Morrison
Sue and Sean have been volunteers with our Operations Crew for almost three years. Both have been avid participants in trail running, hiking and appreciating “nature’s great bounty”.
The Morrisons grasp the uniqueness of the Oak Savanna Carolinian Forest, its biodiversity and the home it provides to many species at risk. They are saddened by the garbage that they often pick up while on the trails and are keenly aware of the need to protect our natural environment by offering “positive interventions and support for all the living creatures that call those spaces home.”
In their words, “Being a helping hand volunteer has been a great opportunity to give back to the community and meet like-minded people with similar interests. It provides an opportunity to contribute to something meaningful. This work feeds the soul and is a great way to counter high stress levels many people feel at work, disconnect and just feel good.”
Their most memorable experience with the Operations Crew involved helping to build the boardwalk at the Ausable River Cut and planting dune grass in the same area. Both felt a great sense of accomplishment and pride upon the completion of these projects.
When asked about the importance of community volunteering, or advice for someone considering being a volunteer, they responded, “Find something that you enjoy or are passionate about. That will give you the most personal satisfaction and reward, and ensure that you continue on. The wonderful trails you enjoy would not exist without volunteers, and your level of participation can be what works for you at this time, so please get involved.”
Thank you, Sue and Sean, for all that you do for LSNT, and for demonstrating your care for your community.
Reducing Fragmentation
Ausable River Cut Changes
Ausable River Cut Changes
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 fragme
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!
Ausable River Cut Changes
Ausable River Cut Changes
Ausable River Cut Changes
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, repain
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.
Handrail Topper
Strength of Steel
Strength of Steel
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 d
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.
Strength of Steel
Strength of Steel
Strength of Steel
A hardy group of volunteers cleaned up Hickory Creek under the train bridge along the Grand Trunk Trail in Forest. An amazing 126 pieces of heavy gauge steel train track parts were hauled out of the creek and lifted to the surface above. Thank you to Lee M, Lee T, Jen, Fran, Bryan and Ross for making our community a better place!
Grand Trunk Trail Trimmimg
Grand Trunk Trail Trimmimg
Grand Trunk Trail Trimmimg
A group of enthusiastic volunteers (Ed, Tony, Emmie, Mary Lou, Jen, Claire, Darren and Ross) came out to trim the sides of the Grand Trunk Trail in Forest. Mother Nature gave us a beautiful morning as we got most of the work done and will finish up one day this fall. Thank you to the community members who walked by and thanked our volunteers for giving back to the community…it was our pleasure!
Top Up
Grand Trunk Trail Trimmimg
Grand Trunk Trail Trimmimg
Thanks to Mike, Christine, Ed, Lee T and Ross for laying down a fresh coat of chip & dust at the Port Franks trailhead and Circle of Life! Special thanks to Jen for weeding the path in advance!!
Tree Planting
Grand Trunk Trail Trimmimg
Bee Aware - Plant With Care
Thank you to Karen, Bryon, Cathy, William, Ed and Ross for coming out on short notice to plant 20 trees around the “green tunnel” behind the Port Franks Community Centre. Your dedication and volunteerism is truly appreciated by the community!
Bee Aware - Plant With Care
Bee Aware - Plant With Care
Bee Aware - Plant With Care
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,
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
Bee Aware - Plant With Care
Love Lock Stand
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 sculpt
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.
Love Lock Stand
Bee Aware - Plant With Care
Love Lock Stand
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 lov
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.
Health & Wellness Bazaar
Ausable River Valley Loop Trail
Health & Wellness Bazaar
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
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.
What3Words Challenge
Ausable River Valley Loop Trail
Health & Wellness Bazaar
LSNT has blended the formidable-to-tackle Ausable River Valley and Mystery Falls Trails and the easy-to-use what3words app to create a fun way to earn a what3words CHALLENGE patch.
Ausable River Valley Loop Trail
Ausable River Valley Loop Trail
Ausable River Valley Loop Trail
Volunteers worked to clear, trim and blaze a new loop trail in the Ausable River Valley north of the MacDonald entrance. This adds another ~3km over a similar terrain to the rest of the network.
Accessible Path
Creative Solution
Ausable River Valley Loop Trail
Special thanks to Ed, Lee, Fran and Ross for creating an accessible path at the Ausable River Cut Conservation Area. The picnic table sits on the cement foundation of the former cinder block building that was demolished in 2022 by our volunteers.
Creative Solution
Creative Solution
Creative Solution
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 fabric
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!
Path To The Falls
Creative Solution
Creative Solution
A dedicated group of volunteers came prepared with rubber boots, muscles and enthusiasm to help rebuild the path from the bottom of the stairs to the creek at Mystery Falls. This stabilization effort required them to lift heavy rocks, buckets of gravel and build a retained wall. Thanks to Lee M, Lee T, Mike, Christine, William, Ed, Paul and Ross for getting this project done in under 3 hours!