RESTORE COOTES

A patch of scorched earth at Princess Point, Hamilton ON, after a prescribed controlled burn conducted for the Royal Botanical Gardens. The annual fire helps native plant life gain a foothold over invasive species, fire being a natural part of the ecosystem that now needs human intervention to strike the match of regeneration. I found it strangely beautiful, the scent of the old fire and the way the earth looked alive in a new way. Photo by Bronwyn Kay

Very welcome news for Spencer Creek - it will be interesting to watch these man-made barriers to fish removed and rehabilitated as they move west upstream. Breaking down barriers for fish TheSpec.com - Local - Breaking down barriers for fish Project to ease creek passage should result in greater number, variety Eric McGuinness , The Hamilton Spectator , DUNDAS (Apr 16, 2010) Rainbow trout and salmon that now can reach only the downstream edge of downtown Dundas may one day be able to swim all the way up Spencer Creek to Webster's ...

An excellent turn-out in primo spring weather for the Volunteer Marsh litter clean-up today. A group of Katimavik youth began their clean-up by prying a long-dumped couch out of the soggy banks of the marsh, while McMaster students from the Biodiversity Guild waded into the deeper waters of the marsh to pull out everything from fire-extinguishers (five of them!) to rusted paint cans and more. Families from Dundas also joined the fray, and with the assistance of Steve and Ron with their trucks, moving the long-stashed garbage and recyclables to the end of the lane where city workers will remove to the waste transfer station on Monday was a breeze. Special thanks to Joanna Chapman and the office of Russ Powers for supplying bags and gloves. Random catches: 40 people helped 2 hours Well over 50 bags of garbage removed, plus recycling and household hazardous waste 19 Car tires 5 fire extinguishers 1 microwave 1 pregnancy tester various furniture Photos by Bronwyn Kay

Forecast for Saturday's Marsh litter clean-up is: Sunny. Increasing cloudiness in the evening. Wind becoming southwest 30 km/h late in the morning. High 10. Looking good. Here's the poster:

Targets invasive species near Cootes April 06, 2010 The Hamilton Spectator (Apr 6, 2010) Mother Nature has rained on The Royal Botanical Gardens' plan to burn off unwanted invasive plants at three locations around Cootes Paradise today. Prescribed burns were to have taken along York Boulevard between Old Guelph Road and the Rock Garden, at Princess Point in Westdale and at nearby Sassafras Point. But this morning's rain means that there will be no burn. An RBG official said they will wait for three dry days before trying again. The idea is to burn off invasive species that sprout in early spring, making room for native grasses that emerge later. ...

Royal Botanical Gardens prescribed burns are scheduled for Tuesday April 6 th . Tuesday’s burn schedule is currently as follows : 10:00am Briefing, York Boulevard Prairie (located on York Blvd. between Old Guelph Rd and the rock garden) 11:00am York Boulevard Prairie Prescribed Burn 12: 00/12:30 pm Princess Point Prescribed Burn 12:30/1:00pm Sassafras Point Prescribed Burn *all times are approximate Burning is an important component in tallgrass prairie and oak savannah restoration. There are viewing areas located at York Boulevard and Princess Point. Everyone is invited to come out and see what we’re doing to help these rare plant communities ! Lindsay Burtenshaw Terrestrial Ecologist, Royal Botanical Gardens MORE ON THE BURN HERE