So long, shrubs! – Part 2
Event Details
October 11th, 2018, 9:30 AM - 2:30 PM
Carden Alvar - Carden Recreation Centre, Ontario
Habitat Restoration
NCC needs your help to control shrubs from swallowing globally rare habitat in Carden Alvar. Help NCC staff clear shrubs to create and restore habitat for grassland birds like the loggerhead shrike.
If you’d like to carpool to the event, please click here, to add your car or join a ride going to the event. Happy carpooling!
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.) property 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 doingWe will hike 2 km through scenic alvar to and from the work-site with equipment and all personal items. Using hand saws and loppers we will remove woody vegetation from the site and pile them in designated areas. By removing shrubs, we will help to maintain the open conditions that many alvar and grassland specialist species require.
Why you will love itSpend the day on the alvar surrounded by birdsong and the hum of grassland insects! By removing shrubs from alvar habitat, we will be mimicking natural processes such as fire to improve the habitat for grassland birds such as loggerhead shrike.
Questions?Contact Brittany Hope: Brittany.hope@natureconservancy.ca
Additional event details, including directions and parking instructions, will be provided after registration.
This event is generously sponsored by the Ontario Trillium 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 gloves
- Loppers
- 1 Litre of water in a reusable bottle
- Lunch