Alvar Avengers: Seedpod Showdown
Event Details
September 6th, 2018, 9:30 AM - 2:30 PM
Carden Alvar - Cameron Ranch, Orillia, Ontario
Habitat Restoration
Calling all conservation superheroes! The vigorously-growing, invasive dog-strangling vine (DSV) is creeping its way onto the globally rare habitats of the Carden Alvar. By picking and bagging the seedpods before they ripen, you can help stop the spread of this vine and protect the beautiful and rare alvar species that are threatened by its expansion.
Carpooling: If you’re interested in carpooling with other volunteers (driving, or catching a ride) please click here and add your car, or join a car. There’s also a wait list feature if there’s no car listed yet where you’re traveling from. Happy travels!
Please email the event contact to join the waiting list.
More Information
Identified in both the terrestrial and aquatic Great Lakes Conservation Blueprints, this area is a prime example of globally-threatened alvar habitat, characterized by thin soils over limestone bedrock. The 12,000 hectare (30,000 ac.) natural area is made up of various native grasslands, forests and wetlands, supporting species such as the eastern loggerhead shrike, bobolink and Olympia marble butterfly. Vulnerable to invasive species like dog strangling vine and buckthorn, the Carden Alvar is a key target for biodiversity within the Great Lakes.
What you will be doingAt this event you will be hand-pulling and clipping dog-strangling vine and garlic mustard seed pods, preventing them from spreading further throughout the rare habitats of the Carden Alvar. We will hike approximately 3 km over rolling terrain to find and collect DSV seedpods, which we will carry out with us in bags.
Why you will love itEnjoy a day spent on the beautiful and unique Carden Alvar and help protect the rare alvar species from the expansion of dog-strangling vine and garlic mustard.
Questions?Contact Brittany Hope: Brittany.hope@natureconservancy.ca
NCC will provide work gloves and hand pruners, but you may bring your own if you have them.
This event will proceed rain or shine, please dress appropriately for the weather.
Additional event details, including directions and parking instructions, will be provided after registration.
NCC would like to thank the Couchiching Conservancy for their ongoing stewardship work and partnership in the Carden Alvar.
This event is generously sponsored by the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation
While we do our best to provide you with the tools you need to participate, please bring the following items if you have them:
- Close-toed footwear
- Long pants
- Long shirt
- Layers of clothing (light sweater and jacket)
- Sun hat
- Raingear
- Work or garden gloves
- Hand pruners, if you have them
- 1 Litre of water in a reusable bottle
- Lunch