“Volunteering is the gateway to a lifetime of meaningful action, purpose, and fulfilment.” – Unknown
Fran Kassies
Fran has been volunteering with Lambton Shores Nature Trails for three years. She and her husband Andy moved to Grand Bend in May 2020 -- in the thick of the pandemic -- so felt housebound until 2022. Fran wanted to do some volunteering that included being outdoors or working in nature and, in the course of her search, learned about Lambton Shores Nature Trails. After checking out the website and chatting with her neighbour who “sang LSNT’s praises”, she signed up. Within a short time, Fran also joined the LSNT Board as Director of Publicity.
In her working journey, Fran had several different jobs that she notes “involved working with interesting people and new challenges.” She worked as a dental assistant and float nurse for many years in London. When a work accident forced Fran to leave the medical field, she chose to take a creative route. Fran returned to college and became a graphic designer. Her new career led to her appointment as a faculty member in the Graphic Design Program at Fanshawe College where she “loved working with students as they grew into talented designers.” Clearly, Fran’s working life reinforced her love of challenges, a trait that also serves her well in her role with LSNT.
Fran is no stranger to volunteerism. As a young adult, she ran a weekly program for underprivileged youth in London. Participants met to talk, eat(!) and complete art projects with Fran and her team. She says, “It was a privilege to be part of a group that recognized the importance of giving their time and listening to kids’ struggles.”
While teaching at Fanshawe, Fran was part of a faculty group that, for five years, ran the Bee Keepers, a summer program for kids from a local group home. Participants used the Fanshawe studios for creative art projects and learned about potential careers. The team invited guest speakers from different college programs, led tours of the college and, of course, enjoyed snacks and treats!
Fran finds her volunteer work with LSNT very rewarding. She notes that “being outdoors in the woods or on trails has been a passion of mine since I was a child.” She enjoys working on trails, whether it’s maintaining existing ones or blazing new ones. Fran also likes putting her artistic talent to work by creating “promo pieces” (bookmarks, coasters, signs etc.) to raise awareness about the work LSNT does in Lambton Shores and vicinity.
Fran’s favourite activities are the ones where LSNT builds steps, walkways and bridges. She enjoys the challenge of getting materials to the location and troubleshooting to creatively work with what Mother Nature has provided. Fran comments that “being on those crews is exciting and fun, and I enjoy the company of many talented people.” Another favourite for Fran is the annual dune grass planting which she says is rewarding because "we get to see the grass grow and strengthen the integrity of our dunes by building a network of roots to keep the sand in place.”
Fran notes that she has benefitted from her volunteer efforts through meeting many wonderful people who are long-time residents of the area and happily share their stories and local history. Being part of LSNT has highlighted the strengths of the community. Fran says, “I am thankful I found this special group of people who devote their time to make the trails passable and to keep our unique environment safe for future generations.”
She adds, “I have found in my life that volunteering in a group you are passionate about gives you back much more than you give – a sense of accomplishment, inner peace and joy. The bonus is meeting people who share your passion!”
Fran is grateful that she volunteered for the first post-Covid spring cleanup at the Ausable River Cut CA. In her words, "Meeting some great people that day prompted me to sign up as a volunteer ... and later join the Board. What a great team to be involved with in my retirement years!“
Thanks, Fran, for helping to build our community in such a positive way.
Ipperwash Boardwalk Work
Ipperwash Boardwalk Work
Ipperwash Boardwalk Work
This morning nineteen volunteers, including folks from the Nature Conservancy of Canada, Lambton Outdoor Club and Lambton Shores Nature Trails, worked to replace and extend two boardwalks over swampy areas at the back of the white trail loop in Ipperwash Dunes & Swales. They hauled in lumber and construction materials, de-constructed the
This morning nineteen volunteers, including folks from the Nature Conservancy of Canada, Lambton Outdoor Club and Lambton Shores Nature Trails, worked to replace and extend two boardwalks over swampy areas at the back of the white trail loop in Ipperwash Dunes & Swales. They hauled in lumber and construction materials, de-constructed the old footbridges, set new culverts and built longer and wider frames. Over 100 deck boards were set to finish the first section and, for the second section, the walkway was widened from two to three planks. All this was accomplished in just over 2 ½ hours! Add to this the early start for helpers who picked up and delivered lumber to Ipperwash for a total of 68 volunteer work hours on this project. (And we’re not including the efforts of ten volunteers who prepped the deck boards for the project last week.)
Amazing work! Thank you to Ed, Terry, Darren, Mark, Winston, Mike, Christine, Lee M., Lee T., Ross, Denise, Sandra, Sam, Jen, Mary Lou, Kandyce, Hannah, Emma and Ethan. A special thanks to NCC for treating volunteers to a lunch prepared by MacPherson’s.
The trail has been transformed to provide easily navigable, safe passage for hikers. Today’s work was the first stage of a two-year project to refurbish and widen the boardwalks throughout Ipperwash Dunes & Swales.
Footbridge Installation
Ipperwash Boardwalk Work
Ipperwash Boardwalk Work
A footbridge has been installed in the Ausable River Valley on the new loop trail north of MacDonald. The trail was slightly adjusted to accommodate a gentler slope to a single crevasse crossing. Thanks to Mike, Christine, Mark, Terry, Todd, Lee M, Ed and Ross for hauling in the premade footbridge, navigating it down a major hill, install
A footbridge has been installed in the Ausable River Valley on the new loop trail north of MacDonald. The trail was slightly adjusted to accommodate a gentler slope to a single crevasse crossing. Thanks to Mike, Christine, Mark, Terry, Todd, Lee M, Ed and Ross for hauling in the premade footbridge, navigating it down a major hill, installing it, and adjusting the blazes for the new trail configuration.
Fishing Line Recycling
Ipperwash Boardwalk Work
Mystery Falls Improvements
Three fishing line recycling containers have been installed in the Port Franks area frequented by shoreline fishers - at the end of Huron St at Mud Creek, at the bottom of the stairs and the bottom of the dune at the Ausable River Cut Conservation Area. This will allow for fishing line to be disposed of properly and not strewn along the s
Three fishing line recycling containers have been installed in the Port Franks area frequented by shoreline fishers - at the end of Huron St at Mud Creek, at the bottom of the stairs and the bottom of the dune at the Ausable River Cut Conservation Area. This will allow for fishing line to be disposed of properly and not strewn along the shoreline where it can pose a real threat to birds and other wildlife. We please ask that no garbage be placed in the container. Thanks to Lee Main and Ross Atkinson for building and installing these recycling containers, a positive change for the environment!
Mystery Falls Improvements
Conservationist of the Year Award
Mystery Falls Improvements
A handful of volunteers worked on the Ausable River Valley & Mystery Falls trails. Many tasks were accomplished including the building of a new boardwalk over a muddy area, painting blue and white blazes, adding a centre support to 7 of the footbridges leading to the falls, clearing and bolstering the path near the bottom of the stairs at
A handful of volunteers worked on the Ausable River Valley & Mystery Falls trails. Many tasks were accomplished including the building of a new boardwalk over a muddy area, painting blue and white blazes, adding a centre support to 7 of the footbridges leading to the falls, clearing and bolstering the path near the bottom of the stairs at the falls, and stabilizing the steps at the back crossing of Mystery Creek including replacing the broken handrail. Thanks Terry, Todd, Mike, Christine, Richard, Michelle, Ed and Ross!
Boardwalk Extension
Conservationist of the Year Award
Conservationist of the Year Award
Seventeen volunteers committed a total of 42 hours to extend the existing boardwalk at the Ausable River Cut CA … to help hikers navigate the recently altered trail route and further protect the dune vegetation. The first step was to haul in all the necessary materials for the project, including twenty 16’ 2X4’s, over 200 deckboards and a
Seventeen volunteers committed a total of 42 hours to extend the existing boardwalk at the Ausable River Cut CA … to help hikers navigate the recently altered trail route and further protect the dune vegetation. The first step was to haul in all the necessary materials for the project, including twenty 16’ 2X4’s, over 200 deckboards and a myriad of tools, a job made easier with many hands. As is usual for LSNT projects, the work crew quickly settled into an organized pace with frame construction and layout and attachment of the deck boards. Of course, the process also included several bouts of problem-solving! The result is a gently winding extension of the existing boardwalk (constructed in 2022), up the slope of the dune into the woods. Some of our group also took the time to rake back the leaves from the accessible Storywalk path.
A big thank you to Mike, Christine, Bernard, Darren, Michelle, Tony, Gage, Lee T, Chris, Winston, Lee M, Todd, Sandra, Sam, Ed, Ross and Mary Lou.
Conservationist of the Year Award
Conservationist of the Year Award
Conservationist of the Year Award
LSNT has been honoured by the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority with their “Conservationist of the Year Award”. To be acknowledged and validated in this manner makes us very proud of the collaborative efforts of our board, dedicated volunteers, community partners and supporters. Our ongoing, positive working relationship with ABCA,
LSNT has been honoured by the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority with their “Conservationist of the Year Award”. To be acknowledged and validated in this manner makes us very proud of the collaborative efforts of our board, dedicated volunteers, community partners and supporters. Our ongoing, positive working relationship with ABCA, coordinated by Nathan Schoelier, facilitates efforts to protect our natural areas, but also make them accessible to nature-lovers. Thank you for this very special recognition!