On Monday April 22nd, the Maitland Trail environmental crew had its own version of “Stuff the Truck”. The Sifto Loop area has innumerable piles of European Buckthorn that have been cut down and stacked. To reduce some of these, a chipping truck was rented and driven down to the Sifto Cottage area.
A work crew of Brian McCulloch, Phil Paquette, John Beaver, Jan Jamula, Roger Goddard, Cam Whiting, Kathleen Lush and Patrick Capper, along with Albert Haak operating the chipping truck, were able to fill it with wood chips. Unfortunately, many Buckthorn piles were too far away to be able to use the wood chipping machine.
On Saturday April 20th Janneke Vorsteveld lead about 12 adults and 12 children on the Sawmill Trail for a “Secrets of the Woods” scavenger hunt. Some of the secrets were revealed by using a pocket sized microscope issued to participants.
One of the less common plants seen was a white Trout-Lily (aka as Dogtooth-Violet, or Adder’sTongue). The more common version has a yellow flower.
Notes:
The Bayfield River Flats is closed during construction of a pedestrian bridge, scheduled to be completed by the end of May.
Saturday May 4th 9:30 am Join Janie van Essen at Naftel's Creek Conservation Area for a “Mindfulness in Nature” walk, pause and explore mindfulness techniques. Contact Janie van Essen via email jvanessen@ hotmail.com or text 519.955.4402. This hike is Level 1, easy pace, 1.5 hours.
Thursday May 9th 7 pm MTA AGM at the Columbus Centre, 390 Parsons Court, Goderich
Saturday May 11 10am - 2pm Plant and Compost Sale at the Columbus Centre including Native plants.
Saturday May 11 9:00 am Hike a trail in private property near Dublin - 7277 Highway 8. Walk through this delightful property of farm fields, across the railway tracks and back to the bush and a cabin. The walk takes you along the Bayfield River and up through the bush of old growth and recently planted bush. There will be a trip to the Dublin Restaurant after the hike. For more information and to confirm your attendance, please contact Paula Deering at pauladeering@gmail.com or 519-955-3555. This is a Level 1, leisure pace, 1.5 - 2 hours.
Saturday May 11 1:30 pm Cycle - Goderich G2G. Ride Starts at Menesetung Bridge in Goderich and bike to Maitland River near Auburn and then return. Meet at parking area at Menesetung Bridge on North Harbour Road W., Goderich. For more information and to confirm attendance contact Donald Andrew at 519-530-9019 or Con Melady at conmelady@gmail.com.
All participants taking part in the Maitland Trail events should sign the waiver for 2024, preferably the online version.
Tuesday Trompers meet at 9 a.m. on Tuesday to hike for about an hour. If you wish to be on this email list, send an email to mta@maitlandtrail.ca
Midweek Hikers hike for 1 ½ to 2 hours on Wednesdays or Thursdays, contact Patrick Capper.
Both groups meet at 9 a.m. and are open to non-members provided they sign the MTA On-line waiver.
If you have questions or something of interest for Trail Talk email me Patrick Capper at pcapper99@gmail.com.