Plugs for the Prairies: Hazel Bird Part 1
Event Details
May 23rd, 2019, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Hazel Bird Nature Reserve (Gores Landing), Ontario
Habitat Restoration
Help restore rare prairie habitat in the Rice Lake Plains! Historically, the Rice Lake Plains were covered with tall grass prairies and oak savannah, which were dominated by massive black and white oak, grasses like big bluestem and switchgrass thrived and a diverse range of wildflowers blossomed. Today, the oak savannah and tall grass prairie of the Rice Lake Plains are badly fragmented and overgrown with non-native species. Help give this globally rare habitat a comeback by planting native prairie species plugs on our Hazel Bird Nature Reserve.
If you’re interested in carpooling with other volunteers (driving, or catching a ride) please click here. Happy travels!
Please email the event contact to join the waiting list.
More Information
This 118 hectare (292 ac.) nature reserve is found within the Rice Lake Plains Natural Area, just 10 km southeast of Gores Landing. Made up of tall grass prairie, sand barren oak woodlands and black oak savannah, this diverse landscape provides invaluable habitat for species such as the spring peeper, Big brown myotis, eastern hog-nosed snake and the endangered monarch butterfly and red-headed woodpecker.
What you will be doingYou will be planting native tall grass prairie species to help restore and expand the tall grass prairie cover in the Rice Lake Plains. We will walk approximately 1.5 km over variable terrain to reach the planting site. Planting will involve bending and using trowels to dig holes for the seedlings.
Why you will love itIn addition to contributing to the restoration of Ontario’s rare tall grass prairie habitat, you will get to tour the property and experience all that the Rice Lake Plains Natural Area has to offer.
Questions?Contact Val Deziel, Coordinator, Conservation Biology: Val.deziel@natureconservancy.ca
Be prepared to hike 1.5 km over variable terrain. 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.
While we do our best to provide you with the tools you need to participate, please bring the following items if you have them:
- Closed-toe footwear
- Long pants
- Long shirt
- Layers of clothing (light sweater and jacket)
- Sun hat
- Rain gear
- Work gloves and trowels, if you have them
- 1 Litre of water in a reusable bottle
- Lunch
- Any necessary medication