9th Annual Winter Quiz

BruceTrailVOL. 54, NO.1, WINTER 2016/2017

M A G A Z I N E

I N S I d E : 2 0 1 5 / 2 0 1 6 A N N u A L R E p O R T S u M M A R y

9thAnnualWinterQuiz

Presents for PreservationA N N I v E R S A R y – h O L I d A y G I F T – T h A N k y O u – G E T w E L L – B I R T h d A y

Ancient Eastern

white Cedar:

(Cliff Edge Habitat)a tree that formsone of the oldest forests in Canada.

Bobcat:

(Interior ForestHabitat) one ofmany creaturesthat require continuous forest habitat to survive.

Bobolink:

(GrasslandHabitat) a birdthat depends onmeadowlands for nesting and foodlike seeds and insects.

Great Egret:

(Wetland Habitat)a bird that nestson shorelines andlives in this very diverse – and disappearing - habitat.

Jefferson

Salamander: (MixedForest Habitat) athreatenedamphibian that needs temporaryforest wetlands to live and reproduce.

Massasauga

Rattlesnake:

(Exposed BedrockHabitat) once common, this threatened snakeuses the Escarpment for baskingand den sites.

N E w B A B y – R E T I R E M E N T – w E d d I N G – S y M p A T h y – J u S T B E C A u S E

p R E S E N T S F O R p R E S E R v A T I O N O R d E R F O R M

you can also call 800.665.4453 or 905.529.6821 to order your presents for preservation

YES, I want to give $50 to preserve a unique habitat along the Escarpment and give a gift that will be remembered!

Please send the Adoption Package and letter to:

Name: _______________________________________________________________________________________________

Address: _____________________________________________________________________________________________

City: ___________________________________________ Prov. ______________ P.C. _____________________________

Telephone: _____________________________________ Email: ______________________________________________

Gift Species: � Ancient White Cedar � Bobcat � Bobolink � Great Egret

� Jefferson Salamander � Massasauga Rattlesnake

Gift Occasion (Birthday, Retirement etc.): _____________________________________________________________

Please send my tax receipt for $50 to:

Name: ___________________________________________________________ Member #:________________________

Address: _____________________________________________________________________________________________

City: ___________________________________________ Prov. ______________ P.C. _____________________________

Telephone: _____________________________________ Email: ______________________________________________

TOTAL # ADOPTION PACKAGES:________________ TOTAL AMOUNT: $__________________________________

� CHEQUE PAYABLE TO THE � VISA � MASTERCARD #____________________________________

BRUCE TRAIL CONSERVANCY

EXP:________ SIGNATURE: ___________________________________________

Note: For additional “Presents For Preservation” orders, please attach a list. Order by December 10th for Christmas delivery.

Give a gift that will be remembered and preserveunique habitats along theNiagara Escarpment!

For only $50, you can give the perfect “Present” tonature lovers of all ages! Symbolically adopt any ofthe species listed and support the preservation andstewardship of its special Escarpment habitat.

Give a “Present” and you will receive a $50 tax receipt. Your giftrecipient will receive a personalized Adoption Package includinga certificate, a species/habitat report, and a letter identifying youas the “Present for Preservation” sender.

WINTER 2016 / 2017

WWW. B R U C E T R A I L . O R G B R U C E T R A I L M A G A Z I N E 3

C O N T E N T S

d E pA R T M E N T S

5 CEO’s Message

6 Blazes

8 Volunteer Corner

10 Land Acquisition

12 Realizing the Dream

40 Trail Changes

44 Our Donors

46 General Store16

24

The Bruce Trail Conservancy

is a charitable organization

committed to establishing

a conservation corridor

containing a public footpath

along the Niagara Escarpment,

in order to protect its natural

ecosystems and to promote

environmentally responsible

public access to this UNESCO

World Biosphere Reserve.

On the Cover:Icestorm,Splitrock Narrows Nature Reserve Photo by Nathan Wukasch

F E AT u R E S

16 Photo Contest 2016 –Focus on our Nature Reserves

23 50th Anniversary Milestones

24 The 9th Annual Winter Quiz

26 Report from the AGM

27 2015-2016 Annual Report(abridged)

42 Birding Hotspots

Photo: Richard Kitchen

Photo: Bria

n Po

pelier

The Bruce Trail ConservancyPO Box 857, Hamilton, ON L8N 3N9

Toll-Free: 1-800-665-4453Tel: (905) 529-6821

Email: [email protected]: brucetrail.org

Facebook: facebook.com/TheBruceTrailConservancyTwitter: @BruceTrail_BTC

honorary presidentDr. Philip Gosling

Bruce Trail FoundersRaymond Lowes, Dr. Philip Gosling,

Dr. Norman Pearson, Dr. Robert McLaren

B O A R d O F d I R E C T O R S

directors at LargeWarren Bell (Board Chair)

John Grandy (Board Vice Chair)Lynn Allen

Stephanie Bird (Finance & Audit Committee Chair)Rob Graham (Governance Committee Chair)

David HassBrian Johnston

Janice McClelland (Fundraising Committee Chair)Leah MyersAnjlee Patel

directors from Clubs

Niagara: Corrie KellestineIroquoia: Paul ToffolettiToronto: Marlis Butcher

Caledon Hills: David Lamb (Risk Committee Chair) Dufferin Hi-Land: Sue Simons

Blue Mountains: Marietta ServiceBeaver Valley: Bruce King

Sydenham: Frank SchoenhoefferPeninsula: Walter Brewer

S TA F F

Executive Office

Chief Executive Officer: Beth GilhespyExecutive Assistant: Allison Wright

Communications and Fund Development

director of Communications & Fund development: Marsha Russelldirector of Fundraising: Jan Graves

Outreach & Engagement Specialist: Laura Tuohy donor Stewardship Coordinator: Kimra Shillingford

Membership Administrator: Lyndsey Martin

Land Acquisition and Management

director of Land Acquisition and Management:Antoin Diamond

GIS Cartographer: Scott Langley Land Stewardship Coordinator & Ecologist:

Adam Brylowski Land Stewardship Coordinator & Ecologist:

Brian Popelier

Finance

director of Finance: Kevin Durfy Bookkeeper: Sharon Fennell

Organizational Resources

director of Organizational Resources: Jackie Randle Office Administrators: Pat Stainton, Cheryl Sullivan

Design and Production: Rossi Piedimonte Design Inc.Bruce Trail Magazine is published quarterly by The Bruce Trail Conservancy (BTC).Non-BTC related materials may not be the opinion of the BTC. Advertising hereindoes not imply the endorsement of the BTC. Trademarks of the BTC publishedherein are used with the permission of the BTC. No part of this publication may bereproduced without written consent of the BTC. Canadian Publications MailAgreement #40040698. Return undeliverable copies to BTC, P.O. Box 857,Hamilton, ON L8N 3N9. Charitable Registration # 11921 7578 RR0001.

BruceTrailM A G A Z I N E

4 B R U C E T R A I L M A G A Z I N E W I N T E R 2 0 1 6 / 2 0 1 7


Finding InspirationIn my work with the BruceTrail Conservancy I don’thave to look far for inspira-tion. It’s around every turn,whether I’m on the Bruce

Trail, in the office, meeting with volun-teers or sharing our story with the pub-lic. It’s in our compelling mission, in thededication of the volunteers as theycarry out their important work, and inthe wonder on the faces of high schoolstudents walking through a rich BruceTrail forest for the first time. There’s somuch out there to inspire! In 2016 our 50th AnniversaryMilestones theme has been LengtheningOur Stride. It’s a phrase given to us byfounder Philip Gosling when he said“The Bruce Trail changed my life. It length-ened my stride and brought joy to my heart.” Lengthening our stride… striving todo more, to reach farther, to accomplisheven greater successes. As 2016 comes to an end, I can’t thinkof a more fitting reminder of our capaci-ty to reach farther, to accomplish more,than the Chris Walker Nature Reserve atRush Cove. Acquired in 2006, with a

pricetag of almost $700,000, it was ourfirst major acquisition without the bene-fit of any government funding. The needto preserve Rush Cove was the impetusfor all of us – members, donors, volun-teers and staff – to reach farther than weever had before, and by reaching farther,we were successful. We’ve had incredible accomplish-ments over the past decade since acquir-ing Rush Cove, and now it’s time to takeanother bold step. Once again we arepoised to lengthen our stride – to domore, to reach farther, to accomplisheven greater conservation successes.Why the urgency? Just think about thesteady growth of our population, theundeniable beauty of the NiagaraEscarpment and the economic lure of itsnatural resources. All of these pressurescan result in the loss of key unsecuredpieces of the Conservation Corridor andfragmentation of the Escarpment’s sensi-tive habitats. The adverse impacts on ourphysical, ecological and societal healthare daunting. It’s time to lengthen ourstrides, once again. This past year the Bruce TrailConservancy Board of Directors commit-

ted to a revitalized Escarpment LegacyCampaign to raise funds for more rapidpreservation of our ConservationCorridor – to refocus our fundraisingprogram in a way that will reach morepeople and garner wider support. And toshow that they meant it, the Board ofDirectors has made an extraordinaryfinancial pledge to the Campaign, ofmore than $1.3 million. They’ve taken abold and inspirational step to enable ourorganization to lengthen its stride, andtheir commitment is already inspiringothers to support the Campaign. When you visit our new Head Officein Dundas you will see an 11’ by 11’mural of Rush Cove in our receptionarea. Each and every day it inspires me.It reminds me of what we can accom-plish as an organization, when welengthen our strides. Please visit RushCove for yourself, or drop by the officeto see our mural and chat with staff andvolunteers about our current projectsand aspirations. Either way, you’ll findinspiration around every turn. •

Beth GilhespyCHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Chief Executive Officer’s Message

Photo: M

atteo Bidd

ulphChris Walker Nature Reserve at Rush Cove,

km 56.6 on Map 37 (28th Edition Bruce Trail Reference)

Content deadline for Blazes for the Spring 2017 issue is January 8, 2017Please forward content to: Laura Tuohy, BTC Outreach & Engagement Specialist, at [email protected]

6 B R U C E T R A I L M A G A Z I N E W I N T E R 2 0 16 / 2 0 1 7

NIAGARA

Niagara Club Special Event hikes 2017Save the dates for our annual Special Event Hikes: Fort-to-Fort - April 8 & 9, 2017End-to-End - May 20-22, 2017Laura Secord - June 17, 2017Watch for details on our website (nia-garabrucetrailclub.org) and Facebookpage (search Niagara Bruce Trail Club).

IROQuOIA

New year’s day hike – January 1, 2017Dundas Valley Trail Centre, 650 Governors Rd. DundasStart your New Year right with a hike.Bring your family, friends, and neigh-bours for a free, enjoyable winter after-noon walk with the Iroquoia Bruce TrailClub. Walks start at 12:30 pm, includingone-hour walks and a two hour walk.

After the walks, join us in the TrailCentre for warm drinks, snacks, goodcheer and a chance to win door prizes.Please note: Parking fee in effect ($10 percar/Seniors $8) or a HamiltonConservation Authority Pass if you haveone. Directions: Take Highway 403 westtoward Hamilton. Exit Main St. W. (exit69A). Turn left onto Main St. W. towardstown of Dundas. Bear right onto OslerDr. Turn left at Governors Rd (TimHorton's on left). Proceed for 3.5 km toDundas Valley Conservation Areaentrance on your left. Come through thegates and continue to the second park-ing lot closest to the Trail Centre.

CALEdON hILLS

Cross Country Skiing on the Bruce Trail inhockley valley Nordic skiing is a great way to explorethe Bruce Trail. For the past 6 years, adedicated CHBTC volunteer has createdand maintained a network of groomedtrails, near Airport Road and the 5 SideRoad of Mono, with the Bruce Trail as itsbackbone. The total length of the systemis 13 km, encompassing terrain thatvaries from fairly flat and gentle to quitehilly and challenging. The network ismostly groomed for classic-style cross-country skiing, with one skate-skiingloop. This year, a snowshoe-only loopwill be added – marked with blue ribbons– and snowshoers are encouraged to usethis scenic option instead of the ski-onlytrails. The trails are located on 5 contigu-ous properties (one owned by the BTC)with the owners’ consent. For more information, visit www.cale-donbrucetrail.org and click on the CrossCountry Skiing tab, where you will find adetailed list of the trails and an up-to-date

map in downloadable pdf format. Fortrail and weather conditions and groom-ing status, check the blog at www.hockl-eycrest.blogspot.ca. During the ski season,postings are made almost every day. As with other sections of the BruceTrail, there is no charge for use of thetrails. We do ask, however, that you com-ply with the following rules:1. Ski in the indicated direction of travel(do not enter the wrong way on a one-way trail)

2. Stay on the marked trails and do notproceed past No Trespassing signs

3. If you wish to walk in the ski trail net-work, you may do so on the mainBruce Trail and the 2 official side trails,but please walk (or snowshoe) alongthe edge of the groomed track, not inthe middle

4. Do not walk or snowshoe on trails thatare intended only for skiing.

The trails will be ready when the snowflies, so let’s hope there will be plenty ofsnow, and no significant thaws until theend of March.

BLAZES N e w s a n d E v e n t s f r o m t h e B r u c e T r a i l C l u b s

Photo: M

atthew

McH

ugh

Bruce Trail hike-a-thon 2016 breaks all-time records!

spread the 8 hikes out over 4 weekends:early May, June, Sept. and Oct. Watchour website www.sydenhambrucetrail.cafor updates. We'll post the dates and reg-istration information soon.

pENINSuLA

peninsula Section 50th Anniversary End-to-End The Peninsula Club will be offering apackage of 8 bus shuttle hikes to be held

in 2017 over four weekends on August12-13, August 26-27, September 16-17,and September 30-October1. A specialPBTC 50th Anniversary Badge will beawarded at the end. Participation will belimited to the first 100 hikers. There willbe an optional budget accommodationplan that includes a camp bunk withbreakfast and lunch. Watch for fulldetails on www.pbtc.ca in early 2017. •


duFFERIN hI-LANd

dufferin hi-Land winter Badge hikes – Janurary 14, 21, February 11, 25, 2017This winter theDufferin Hi-LandBruce Trail Clubwill again offer itsWinter Badge.The four hikesrequired to earnthis badge includeboth leisurely andmoderate pace options in some ofDufferin’s most beautiful areas. Ourpopular moonlight hikes will be held onJanuary 14 and February 11, 2017.Daytime hikes are scheduled for January21 and February 25. Snowshoes or icersare strongly recommended for all hikes.Full details will be posted on theDufferin Hi-Land BTC website,www.dufferinbrucetrailclub.org/hikes.

BEAvER vALLEy

Beaver valley Snowshoe Adventure –January 14 & 29, February 11 & 26, 2017Come and experience the Beaver Valleyin winter! We will be leading two day-time snowshoe hikes onJanuary 29 andFebruary 26 and twosnowshoe moon-light hikes onJanuary 14 andFebruary 11.Snowshoers completingall four hikes will receive the BeaverValley Adventure Snowshoe Badge ($5).Full information will be available bymid-December on the Beaver Valleywebsite, www.beavervalleybrucetrail.org.

SydENhAM

Sydenham Section End-to-End 2017Save the dates, or at least the months,on your calendars! Sydenham Club willbe offering another End-to-End hikeseries in 2017. Similar to last year, we'll

visit Club websites for more news, events and hikesLinks to al l 9 Clubs can be found at brucetrai l .org/pages/trai l /bruce-trai l - c lubs.

Records were broken in lots of categoriesin this year’s Bruce Trail Hike-a-thon:more participants, more funds raised,more Clubs involved, and the youngestever Hike-a-thoner! Together Hike-a-thoners collected awhopping $30,803 to help the Bruce TrailConservancy reach its goals for the 50thAnniversary Milestones project. In reach-ing out to friends and family they helpedeven more by raising people’s awarenessabout this magnificent southern Ontariotreasure.

hike-a-thon winnersFor the third year in a row, the individualwho raised the most money also turnedout to be the individual who hiked themost kilometers. This year’s grand winneris Ruth Moffatt of the Niagara Club. Sheset herself a huge goal to raise $5,000and she actually surpassed it, endingwith a total of $5,600. Not only that, shehiked 325 km in October. Congratulationsto Ruth and her many supporters. Congratulations also to Jon Akelaitis ofthe Caledon Hills Club who was the run-ner-up in the category of kilometershiked, with a total of 238.4 km.

Haigh’s Happy Hikers won the prize forthe team that raised the most funds, end-ing with an impressive total of $4,895;thank you to team members Larry Haigh,Ruth Dorey, David Royle, Duro Vukman,Kent Breen and Alina Lin. This year we added a bonus prize forour youngest ever participant, AydnKonig, who with her mother Kathrin man-aged to raised $935 and hike 163 km.Awesome work, Aydn! Special thanks to the following peopleand organizations who helped make thisHike-a-thon such a success:• All the participants and their sponsors• Members of the Hike-a-thonCommittee, especially Krista Bennatti(committee chair for these last twoYears), Larry Haigh, Alina Lin, CaledoniaBrown, Stacy Rowland, and MagdalenaVanderkooy

• Laura Tuohy, who so capably nurturedour efforts from the BTC head office

• Our corporate sponsors: CharlesPachter, KPMG, Blue Mountain,Highlands Nordic, Café Belong, andScandinave Spa


Conservancy volunteer Awards

The Bruce Trail Conservancy (BTC)would like to thank the following vol-unteers for their dedication and com-mitment to the Bruce TrailConservancy. These Volunteer Awardsacknowledge years of service given tothe Bruce Trail at the Conservancy levelas part of a BTC Committee, the BTCBoard, helping at BTC events or at theHead Office.

Guardians of the Bruce Trail, three years of volunteering:Cathie Green, Frank Healey, Ansar Khan,Katie Lundon, Bruce Manion, MichaelMcDonald, Doug O’Neill, Emma Rosal,Patricia Russo and Jill Smith-Brodie

protectors of the Bruce Trail, five years of volunteering:Marlis Butcher, Alexander Clipsham,Darci Lombard, Janice McClelland,Shelly Morris and Paul Toffoletti

Stewards of the Bruce Trail, ten years of volunteering:Joëlle Martin, Will Overton and Bruce Price

Trustees of the Bruce Trail, fifteenyears of volunteering:Andrew Costley and Ron Savage

Ros Rossetti wins BTC volunteer ofthe year!Ros Rossetti received two separate nomi-nations for Volunteer of the Year, one forher work at the Len Gertler MemorialLoree Forest and one for her work on theFriendship Trail in Costa Rica. At Loree, Ros showed outstanding andtireless leadership in the Beaver ValleyClub’s efforts to stop devastating ecologi-cal damage to the Bruce Trail, the munici-pal road allowance (5th Line north of21st Sideroad) and the forest itself. Herwork involved mobilizing the Club vol-unteers, liasing with the Town of the BlueMountains Council, making presenta-tions at Council meetings, and keeping inclose contact with the BTC. In early 2016the Council voted to prohibit motorizedvehicles. Her broad approach to ecologi-

cal protection is commendable. It sendsthe message that the BTC is about morethan the Bruce Trail – it’s about reachingout to communities and elected represen-tatives to achieve Niagara Escarpmentconservation. In 2015 the Beaver Valley Club wastwinned with a section of the PacificCoast Trail (Sendero Pacifico) leadinginto the Children’s Eternal Rainforest. Tothe people of the small villages along thetrail, ecotourism promises sustainablejob opportunities. Ros realized theamount of work that still needed to bedone to ensure this important trail wasestablished and the idea of a work partywas formed. Ros has spent the past yearworking to organize a party of volun-teers from the Beaver Valley Club, aswell as other Bruce Trail Clubs. Theresponse was such that two differentwork parties will travel to Costa Ricasupport these local communities.

Rick Edwards – Susan OleskevichAward winnerRick Edwards has been actively involvedthe physical work of TD&M for at least15 years. His long-standing commit-ment to trail work in the Iroquoia sec-tion has included many years of partici-

pating in as many as 3 work parties perweek, on Tuesdays, Thursdays andSundays. Rick is also been a dependabletrail captain and has readily and happi-ly participated in many special projectsbeyond his regular volunteer duties.

Malcolm Sanderson – honoraryLife Membership Malcolm Sanderson has been a memberof the BTC since the early 1970s andover the decades has contributed signifi-cantly at both the Club andConservancy levels, from the Trail to theBoardroom. His volunteer work hasincluded several positions on the BTCBoard, the Toronto Club Board, chairingthe By-Law Committee and serving as amembership ambassador. Although he prefers to stay out of thespotlight, Malcolm has shown extremededication to the mission of the BTC,and tenacity in all tasks he’s taken on,both for the Conservancy and theToronto Bruce Trail Club. For his longservice to the organization, and his dedi-cation as a member, donor and ambassa-dor, the BTC Board of Directors unani-mously and enthusiastically awardedhim the Honorary Life Membership. •

Volunteer Corner

Photo: Jake Fo

rester


Calendar Art –2018

Trail Conservancy for a secure conserva-tion corridor along the NiagaraEscarpment.

Subject matter: must be along theBruce Trail or related to the NiagaraEscarpment – scenery, flora, fauna, his-toric sites, etc.

Size: HORIZONTAL FORMAT no smallerthan 7 ½” x 10 ½” as this is the finishedsize of the calendar. Originals can belarger but must be in a horizontal format.

Medium: any medium may be submit-ted, except prints, photographs andphotocopies.

Information required to be printed orattached clearly on the back: your name, address, phone number,medium used, title of the piece of work

and the location along the Bruce Trail andor Niagara Escarpment. If dating work onthe front, please omit the month.

deadline: Friday, March 10, 2017all artwork is to be received at the Bruce Trail Conservancy, Physical/Courier address: 55 Head Street, Suite 101, Dundas, Ontario L9H 3H8;Canada Post address: PO Box 857,Hamilton, Ontario L8N 3N9

For more information:Please contact Allison Wright at [email protected] or call 905-529-6821 or1-800-665-HIKE (4453) ext. 227

Call for submissions for the 2018Bruce Trail colour calendar.Help us show off the beauty of the BruceTrail and the Niagara Escarpment toraise money to support our mission!

We invite you to provide a colourfulimage of your explorations on theBruce Trail and the Niagara Escarpment,showcasing its natural beauty, heritageand the people who hike it. We preferoriginal artwork – so please no prints,photocopies or photographs. A panel of judges will choose 13pieces for inclusion in the 2018Calendar. All artwork remains theproperty of the artist and will bereturned as soon as possible. Eachartist who enters will receive a compli-mentary copy of the 2018 calendar. All profits from the sale of the calen-dar go toward the mission of the Bruce

Enjoy a uniquely beautiful performance of Sibelius’sSeventh Symphony with stunning visuals of theBruce Trail set to music.

• BTC Members receive 25% off B-level tickets• Silent Auction featuring a selection of qualityitems including artwork, boat excursion, artisancrafts, and HPO & BTC packages.

• Live orchestral works also by Part, Bartok & Lau• Special Pre-Concert talk at 6:30 pm with HPO &BTC speakers

Visit brucetrail.org after January 15 for details andticket promo code.

Many thanks to the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra for partnering with the Bruce Trail Conservancy inthis unique event in celebration of the 2017 50th Anniversary of the official opening of the Bruce Trail.

MARCh 11, 2017 – 6:30 PMHAMILTON PLACE, 1 SUMMERS LANE, HAMILTON, ON

Bruce Trail Evening with theHamilton Philharmonic Orchestra


Lower valley Road Nature Reserve – Beaver valley SectionOnce again, a tremendous thank you to all that donatedfunds and time to conserve this spectacular property. LowerValley Road Nature Reserve is 66.78 acres and is one of a veryfew properties that provide a link between Eugenia Falls andHogg’s Falls in the upper Boyne/Beaver River system. The property itself is terrifically varied, boasting a revert-ing orchard meadow, a rich, thriving wetland that feeds theBoyne River, high hog’s back ridges and, most notably, abeautiful and extensive maturing hardwood forest inter-spersed occasionally with cedar and hemlock. The propertystretches along the lovely, rustic Lower Valley Road and itsacquisition has secured 1,300 m of Optimum Route. The Lower Valley Road Nature Reserve can be found onthe east side of Lower Valley Road in the vicinity of km 57.9on Map 26 (28th Edition Bruce Trail Reference).

The addition of the latest 342 acres of Escarpment land to the Bruce Trail’s Conservation

Corridor supports wide ranging ecological functions, provides safe passage for animals and

people, and preserves a stunning variety of flora and fauna for us all to enjoy and appreciate.

Land Acquisition

Lower Valley Road Nature Reserve

daphne and Gordon Nicholls Nature Reserve – Beaver valley SectionLong time members and supporters Daphne and GordonNicholls truly and fully committed themselves to furtheringnatural habitat conservation in Ontario. Active in promotingthe need for land conservation in the Kitchener Waterlooarea, and enjoying hiking and exploring the Beaver Valley intheir free time, the Nicholls family were guided by Daphne’spassion for the great outdoors. Sadly, in August Daphne passed away. Her husbandGordon, their friends and family decided to memorializeDaphne and honour Gordon with a most fitting tribute: bycreating the Daphne and Gordon Nicholls Nature Reserve. TheNature Reserve will be created in two phases, with the first13.6 acres having been acquired in Fall 2016 and the adja-cent 16.3 acres to be acquired in Spring/Summer 2017. The Daphne and Gordon Nicholls Nature Reserve is locat-ed on the north side of County Road 40 in Euphrasia, Grey

Daphne and Gordon Nicholls Nature Reserve Ph

oto: Bria

n Po

pelier

Photo: Bria

n Po

pelier

W W W . B R U C E T R A I L . O R G B R U C E T R A I L M A G A Z I N E 11

Otter Lake Nature Reserve

Highlands. This new nature reserve, when completed, willsecure a 550 m length of Optimum Route, and provide drypassage for the Trail on Escarpment upland. Importantly, it isa critical part of a continuous stretch of permanently pro-tected land stretching from Webwood Falls in the south toGriersville to the north. The Daphne and Gordon Nicholls Nature Reserve is south ofkm 103.1 on Map 28 (288th Edition Bruce Trail Reference). TheBruce Trail is not yet on the property; it will be established bySummer 2017 once the remaining land for the Reserve hasbeen acquired, and a notice of the reroute will be placed in theBruce Trail Magazine.

Otter Lake Nature Reserve – Peninsula sectionOur sincerest thanks to all who supported the preservation ofthe Otter Lake Nature Reserve. The Reserve is actually twoproperties totalling 262 acres that Contain the 2,050 m Otter

Lake Side Trail. The Otter Lake Nature Reserve is a haven for birds of manykinds, providing important habitat for breeding and migrat-ing waterfowl, shorebirds and songbirds. Many of you attend-ed our June fundraiser and were captivated by the Bald Eagle,Bobolink, American Kestrel, and spectacular Sand Hill Cranesthat were seen that day. The reserve’s large wetland, karst and sinkholes, as well asits alvar, open meadows, and forested areas, all provide richhabitat for many creatures including Black Bear, MassasaugaRattlesnake and Mink, which were also seen at the June event. The benefits of conserving this land reaches beyond its bor-ders as it combines with neighbouring natural areas to createsignificant wildlife linkages that encourage species movementbetween the natural areas. The Otter Lake Nature Reserve is atrue paradise and one we are proud to care for in perpetuity.It can be explored via the Otter Lake Side Trail, found onMap 29 (28th Edition Bruce Trail Reference). •

Phot

o: B

eth

Gilh

espy

Photo: Brian Popelier


Realizing the Dream ESCARPMENT LEGACY CAMPAIGN HONORARY PATRONS: ROBERT BATEMAN, SHE ILA COPPS & J IM CUDDY

Thank you to All Our donors and SupportersThe Bruce Trail Conservancy greatly appreciates each andevery gift we receive. We know you have choices about whoyou are able to support. We sincerely value your patronage andwould like to acknowledge the following recent donations:

Anonymous donor $37,900

Sheila R Stiles $35,366

John Grandy & Meg Salter $25,466

henry Leistner $19,794

Estate of Mildred Joan Beckley $17,362

Estate of patricia Brodie $16,666

ArcelorMittal dofasco Inc. $15,000

Sydenham Bruce Trail Club $12,000

Bruce king & valerie Jones $11,400

Niagara Bruce Trail Club $10,500

Anonymous donor $10,000

Iroquoia Bruce Trail Club $10,000

helen McCrea peacock Foundation $8,000

City of hamilton $5,200

Toronto Bruce Trail Club $5,000

Corry Groep $3,000

Foxcroft Capital Corporation $2,000

Each donor has a personal and meaningful reason forchoosing to help further the mission of the BruceTrail Conservancy. All gifts, regardless of size, allowthe volunteers, clubs and staff to accomplish great

things in the name of conservation.Over the years, the Bruce TrailConservancy has been the benefactor ofmany different types of giving. Here aresome of the simplest and most popularways to give.

Outright Gifts:These are donated for “immediate use” by the BTC, such asgifts of cash/stocks, gifts in kind and monthly gifts. This type ofdonation allows the BTC to address whatever the most urgentneeds are at the time and keeps the organization flexible.

deferred or planned Gifts:This type of gift is arranged now for payment some time in thefuture. They include the following: bequests by will, gifts inkind, gifts of property (land etc.), life insurance policies, annu-ities, residual interests and charitable remainder trusts.Planning a gift to the BTC can enable you to maximize yourtax benefits. Your accountant, lawyer or financial planner cangive you information and advice on how to best make thesegifts work for you. Basic information can be obtained by callingJan Graves, Director of Fundraising at 905-529-6821 x. 252.

Matching Gifts:Whether you are currently working or retired, taking amoment to check and see if your company participates inMatching Gift Programs is an easy way to multiply the valueof your donations to the BTC or your volunteer time. Often,companies will match the amount of dollars or effort thattheir employees (and past employees!) give to registered chari-ties such as the BTC. All you have to do is check with yourHuman Resources Department. They should be able to directyou to the right person and you will likely be provided with aspecial form to fill out. That’s all it takes to make your BTCdonations or volunteer time go even further!

did you know RRSps & RRIFs Can be Legacies Too?Gifts of retirement plans can be made when you name theBruce Trail Conservancy as the beneficiary. This means thatupon your death, the BTC receives the proceeds of the planand your estate receives a charitable receipt. It’s a really easyway to make a significant donation and help ensure the BruceTrail is protected forever.

Recognizing your Generosity: We promise to recognize your commitment to the BruceTrail Conservancy by putting every dollar you give to thevery best use. The BTC follows “Imagine Canada’s EthicalCode” and our Audited Financial Statements are availableonline. As well, we respect your privacy and will protectyour personal information. Thank you letters and receipts are sent out to every donorwho makes a gift of $10 or more. In the case of Memorial orIn Honour gifts, if we are given the name and address we willnotify the family of gifts made in their loved one’s name.

how to Make your Gift to Support the work of the BTC:Gifts can be made In Memory, as a get-well wish, to honour aspecial occasion (birthday, Mother’s Day, retirement, anniver-sary etc.) or to make a lasting legacy for the future. Gifts canbe made by visiting brucetrail.org, or by calling 1-800-665-HIKE or 905-529-6821, or by mail (please make your chequepayable to the Bruce Trail Conservancy) to The Bruce TrailConservancy, P.O. Box 857, Hamilton, ON L8N 3N9Thank you for your support! •

your gift can help us protect the Niagara Escarpment

Jan GravesDirector of Fundraising

Dear Bruce Trail Member,

Over the last several years I have had the privilege of tellingour members about our monumental conservation goals topreserve and conserve lands within the Bruce Trail’sConservation Corridor. These goals have consistently andcommittedly been met by our engaged and action-oriented supporters. To date, because of our strong supportbase, each parcel of conservation land we’ve broughtforward has received the necessary funding to add it tothe Bruce Trail’s Conservation Corridor. Each and everyone. And we cannot thank our supporters enough.

Each year your donations allow us to secure hundreds ofacres of land. Our donors can be proud of theircontributions to the preservation of over 10,000 acres ofland along the Niagara Escarpment. The Bruce TrailConservancy is one of Ontario’s largest, most active landtrusts because our donors are partners in our conservationwork. Each dollar donated ensures more forests, meadows,wetlands, and Escarpment outcrops are saved and cared for,and that programming is in place so that more people canexplore and benefit from their time on the Bruce Trail.

Please consider making a gift to help propel our workforward.

This Fall, we have 326 acres of Escarpment land ready forpreservation. Three new Nature Reserves are poised to beadded to our Conservation Corridor – Ancient Beach NatureReserve, Dunedin Ravine Nature Reserve and Kemble RockNature Reserve. These 326 acres of marshes, meadows,cliffs and thriving forests are exactly the type of landscapesand ecological resources we are committed to preserving.

The cost to secure this land, and to support the associatedprograms to manage these lands and carry out othermission-based programs, is $1.8 million dollars. Theexciting news is that we already have $1 milliondollars committed to our goal! A group of donors (whowish to remain anonymous), a generous bequest fromGerda Tismer, and a grant from the Nature Conservancyof Canada, have started this campaign off. Now we arehoping you too can give generously.

American Goldfinch –

Ancient Beach Nature Reserve


Dunedin Ravine Nature Reserve


The 68.5 acre Dunedin Ravine Nature Reserve is located along the northern flank of theNoisy River Valley, and provides habitat for Butternut trees, Shining-branch Hawthorn andBobolink, all of which are Species at Risk. The property is also home to the NorthernFlicker, a priority bird species as per Environment Canada’s Bird Conservation Strategy. Itspreservation secures 1.2 km of the Bruce Trail’s Optimum Route.

Stretching across the mouth of the Slough of Despond, north of Owen Sound

, is an

11,000 year old baymouth beach ridge that formed when Glacial Lake Algo

nquin

lapped up high on the cliffs of the Niagara Escarp

ment. Today this Provincially

Significant ancient beach bar forms the northern boundary of

a thriving wetland - the

Slough of Despond. The 58-acre Ancient Beach Nature Reserve straddles the beach

bar; rounded cobbles scattered throughout the propert

y give clues to its shoreline past,

and its upland meadows and forest provide habitat where plants and

animals thrive.

Preservation of this Nature Reserve includes 533 m of the Bruce Trail’s Optimum Route.

You have helped the Bruce Trail Conservancypreserve thousands of acres of Escarpment

land so far. But there is still more land atrisk. Please give today and ensure futuregenerations reap all the benefits of ahealthy, vibrant Niagara Escarpment.


continued �

Donate today at brucetrail.org by calling 1.800.665.4453 or by mailing in this form.Enclosed is my: � Single Gift: � $50 � $75 � $100 � $____________________________________ other

� Monthly Pledge: $______________________ Per Month. Pledge start date: ________________________________________________________________ Our Promise: If you at any time, for any reason, wish to change or cancel your pledge, you can do so by contacting us. A tax receipt for your pledge will be issued at the end of the year.

Donate by: � Cheque � Visa � Mastercard (payable to The Bruce Trail Conservancy or marked “Void” if pledging)

Card #:_____________________________________________ Expiry Date:_____________ Signature: _____________________________________________________

Name:________________________________________________________________________ Email:__________________________________________________________

Your email is confidential and will not be shared with 3rd parties.

You are invited to enjoy a Donor Tour showcasing the our newest nature reserves. Check here to reserve your spot.

� Dunedin Ravine Nature Reserve, Blue Mountains – May 6, 2017 � Kemble Rock Nature Reserve, Sydenham – May 7, 2017 (Visit brucetrail.org for more info)

� Send me info about including the BTC in my will. � I have included the BTC in my will.

�


Raising the remaining $800,000 is a major undertaking, butour donors have supported our conservation efforts every stepof the way – to tremendous success. I sincerely hope you seethat, with your help, we can conserve and preserve more landand we can leave the natural legacy future generations deserve.

Please come and explore these new Nature Reserves foryourself. On May 6th and 7th we are inviting all donors togather for interpretive hikes at Kemble Rock and DunedinRavine Nature Reserves. Plan to join us or pass the invitationalong to someone who shares your commitment to ensuring ahealthy and vibrant Niagara Escarpment for today and forever.

Sincerely,

Beth Gilhespy Chief Executive Officer, The Bruce Trail Conservancy

PS – We are more than half way to our goal, thanks to donors who have kicked off the campaign. Please donate today at brucetrail.org or return the donation form below. Thank you and I hope to see youat the donor tours in May.

Kemble Rock Nature Reserve

Photo: Beth Gilhespy

The Kemble Rock Nature Reserve rises on a high Escarpment promontory

near the shores of Georgian Bay. Its 200

acres includes regenerating fields, a

wetland, meadows, and a gentle rise up to the steep

craggy cliffs of the Niagara

Escarpment. Milkweed is found in abundance, providin

g a critical food source

the Monarch Butterfly, a Species at Risk. Preser

vation of the Kemble Rock Nature

Reserve secures 1.3 km of the Bruce Trail’s

Optimum Route. The northern por-

tion of Kemble Nature Reserve lies within the Ke

mble Forest Regional Life

Science Area of Natural and Scientific Int

erest (ANSI). The ANSI is an important

link in a 30 km natural corridor (ca. 150 square km) containing Skinner

’s Bluff,

Slough of Despond, Mountain Lake Fen, T

he Glen and Bass Lake Escarpment,

and the wetlands of Mountain Lake, McNab Lake and Shal

low Lake.


BELOEIL - BROSSARD - BURLINGTON - CAMBRIDGE - ETOBICOKE - LAVAL - OSHAWAOTTAWA - QUEBEC - VAUGHAN

50OTHER MODELS

INSTORE

BELOEIL - BROSSARD - BURLINGTON - CAMBRIDGE - ETOBICOKE - LAVAL - OSHAWA

STORE

T H E B R U C E T R A I L C O N S E R V A N C Y ’ S P H O T O C O N T E S T

16

The Bruce Trail Conservancy has been responsiblefor the preservation of 10,000 acres of NiagaraEscarpment land since 1974.

To celebrate this remarkable milestone reached this year, ourannual Photo Contest encouraged members to explore 9 ofour Nature Reserves and to showcase the beauty of our pre-served land. A wonderful variety of images were submitted to this year’sphoto contest reflecting the tremendous diversity of life onthe Niagara Escarpment conserved on Bruce Trail Conservancyland. These 9 beautiful images are the finalists. Congratulations to Grand Prize Winner, Nathan Wukach, forhis striking image of Splitrock Narrows Nature Reserve after anicestorm. Thank you to all who submitted photos and to everyonewho voted for their favourite one online.

Find maps to each of the featured Nature Reserves online atbrucetrail.org/pages/photo-contest/photo-contest-2016.

photo Contest 2016Focus on our Nature Reserves

wINNER

IcestormSplitrock Narrows Nature Reserve, Dufferin Hi-Land sectionPhoto by Nathan Wukasch


18

Morning HikeCedar Highlands Nature Reserve,

Caledon Hills sectionPhoto by Tina McAuley

MayDuntroon Crevice Heights, Blue Mountains sectionPhoto by Tom Stephens

19

Lower Falls30 Mile Creek, Niagara sectionPhoto by Karen Limardi


Chain CoralFossil Glen Nature Reserve, Sydenham sectionPhoto by Carol Harris

20

IslandsMalcolm Bluff Shores Nature Reserve,Peninsula sectionPhoto by John Sinclair

A rolled stone gathers mossGrindstone Creek area, Iroquoia sectionPhoto by Derek Gilham

A peaceful strollSpeyside area, Toronto sectionPhoto by Greg Coman

21

UntitledPinnacle Rock Nature Reserve, Beaver Valley sectionPhoto by Richard Kitchen Nature Photography


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BRUCE TRAIL CONSERVANCY

50th Anniversary Celebrations

Lengthening Our Stride –Honouring the Bruce Trail’s power to change peoples’ lives.

Our volunteers, members and donors once again propelledthe work of the Bruce Trail Conservancy to new levels in2016. This year’s 50th Anniversary Milestones project themewas “Lengthening our Stride”, and together we have done so.We are delighted to share some of the exceptional things thattranspired this year. Every facet of our organization and community has grown.This year we welcomed more members into the fold, and weare now 9,358 strong. Our volunteer core of more than 1,500dedicated people contributes the equivalent of 75 full timejobs in support of our mission. Over the last fiscal year theBruce Trail Conservancy achieved a monumental milestone:the Conservancy is now responsible for the permanentpreservation of over 10,000 acres of land on the NiagaraEscarpment. On the Trail, the accomplishments continue. The PeninsulaBruce Trail Club completed the largest single TrailDevelopment and Maintenance construction project –replacement of the 900 m Snake Boardwalk at Cape Croker.Two more Clubs welcomed international Friendship Trailtwinning in their sections of the Bruce Trail, bring the totalnumber of Friendship Trails to 8. Our strides are now length-ened in even more places around the world! At head office, our staff too have experienced a change.After 32 years, the Bruce Trail Conservancy has a new homein Dundas (with Dundas Peak in the distance and a new side

trail to our front door). In the Boardroom, our Board ofDirectors are continuing to implement best practices in gover-nance that position our organization to move forward with astronger governance structure, one that best positions us forour future growth. To fund our ambitious goal of securing theBruce Trail’s Conservation Corridor, the Board of Directorshave supported the reinvigoration of the Escarpment LegacyCampaign and the 2015-16 Board of Directors collectivelypledged $1.3 million dollars of their own funds to kick startthis important fundraising initiative. The Bruce Trail gives so much to so many. And our support-ers feel this. They channel their energy, time and donationsto ensure our mission is well supported so that as an organi-zation we can lengthen our stride and achieve our greatestgoals. Each individual’s commitment lifts us up and allows usto further accelerate our focus on land preservation, steward-ship of land in our care, and keeping our world-famous BruceTrail safe and accessible for its hundreds of thousands of visi-tors annually. 2017 will mark the 50th Anniversary of the opening of theBruce Trail in Tobermory on June 10, 1967. What an incredi-ble opportunity to celebrate our accomplishments between1967 to 2017. Please mark your calendars for a meaningfuland inspiring all-day celebration of the 50th Anniversary ofthe opening of the Bruce Trail on June 10th 2017. We lookforward to sharing more event details in early 2017.

In this fifth year of the Bruce Trail Conservancy’s 50th Anniversary

Milestones Project we are honoured to celebrate how the Bruce Trail

has the power to change peoples’ lives – to reflect on and amplify

how the Bruce Trail and the community that supports it has benefited

so many people, in so many ways. More than a simple footpath, the

Bruce Trail represents something much greater. Its gifts are boundless.

In 2012 Dr. Philip Gosling addressed hundreds of volunteers at

the Anniversary Volunteer Rally. His words reverberated through the

crowd that day, and they stand as the inspiration and spark for this

year’s theme: Lengthening Our Stride.


“The Bruce Trail changed my life. Itlengthened my stride and gave joy tomy heart.” Dr. Philip Gosling, Bruce Trail Founder, Member of the Order of Canada


1. The male of this forest bird (below) isoften called the “drummer” of thewoods.a) Ruffed Grouseb) Spruce Grousec) Nighthawkd) American Woodcock

2. If you were on the Splitrock Side Trailon the Bruce Trail Conservancy’sSplitrock Narrows Nature Reserve, inwhich Club section would you behiking?a) Iroquoiab) Dufferin Hi-Landc) Caledon Hillsd) Toronto

3. There are 4 types of wetlands inOntario. which is the most commonon Bruce Trail Conservancyproperties?a) Fenb) Marshc) Meadow marshd) Swamp

4. In 2016 Bruce Trail Conservancymembership was at its highest levelin 30+ years, at:a) 5,538 membersb) 1,538 membersc) 11,538 membersd) 9,538 members

5. This small bird (below) has a bigvoice and thrives in the larger forestsof the Niagara Escarpment.a) House Wrenb) Marsh Wrenc) Winter Wrend) Sedge Wren

6. which chemical breaks down withintree leaves in the Fall resulting inspectacular changes in leaf colour?a) Tanninsb) Carotinesc) Chlorophylld) anthocyanin

7. what is the Bruce Trail Conservancy’sprimary source of revenue?a) Membership duesb) Donations from individualsc) Government grantsd) Donations from corporations

8. This snake (below) was recentlyupgraded from Special Concern toSecure in Ontario, but it is stillconsidered rare nationally. It hasbeen observed on many Bruce TrailConservancy properties.a) Massasauga Rattlesnakeb) Northern Watersnakec) Eastern Foxsnaked) Milksnake

winter QuizThe Ninth Annual

It’s time to grab a cup of something warm, settle down in a comfychair and test your knowledge of all things Bruce Trail.

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9. This uncommon fern (below) is at thenorthern edge of its range in thisarea and was recently discovered ona Bruce Trail Conservancy propertyin the Sydenham section, the onlyrecorded observation on Bruce TrailConservancy lands.a) Green Spleenwortb) Oregon Woodsiac) Ebony Spleenwortd) Wall-rue Spleenwort

10. Of the following species, which oneis the most common along theBruce Trail.a) White Ashb) Sugar Maplec) White Birchd) American Basswood

11. The 2016 50th AnniversaryMilestones Theme isa) Lengthening Our Strideb) Preserving and Conservingc) Trailblazersd) Planning for our Future

12. Ontario Goldenrod is a rare plantrecently found on several Bruce TrailConservancy properties in thepeninsula section. In which habitatare you most likely to find this smallspecies?

a) Cliff edgeb) Alvarc) Talusd) Coniferous Forest

13. The largest single trail developmentand maintenance project wascompleted in 2016, in which Clubsection? a) Niagarab) Caledon Hillsc) Beaver Valleyd) Peninsula

14. warblers are considered the Orchidsof the bird world - everyone wants tosee one. This particular species(below) breeds in second growthforests and disturbed woods and isone of the few species which mayactually benefit from logging.

a) Connecticut Warblerb) Mourning Warblerc) Nashville Warblerd) Black Throated Gray Warbler

15. how long does it take wooddecaying fungi to completely turn ahardwood trunk to dust?a) 10 yearsb) 20 yearsc) 100 yearsd) 5 years

16. This structure (below) which hasbeen erected on many Bruce TrailConservancy properties, and is usedto provide habitat for what group ofinsects?a) Beesb) Butterfliesc) Mitesd) Dragonflies

Answers

1. a) Ruffed Grouse 2. b)dufferin hi-Land3. d) Swamp4. d)9,538 members5. c) winter wren6. c) Chlorophyll7. b)donations from individuals8. d) Milksnake9. c) Ebony Spleenwort10. b) Sugar Maple11. a) Lengthening Our Stride12. a) Cliff edge13. d)peninsula (Snake Boardwalk)14. b)Mourning warbler15. b) 20 years16. a) Bees

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2016 Susan Oleskevitch Award Rick Edwards

philip and Jean Gosling Award Toronto Bruce Trail Club

Tom East Award Peninsula Bruce Trail Club

volunteer of the year Award Ros Rossetti

honorary Life Membership Malcolm Sanderson

Lloyd Smith walking Stick Caledon Hills Club

George willis walking StickKailey Brunner

2016-2017 BTC Board of directors Lynn Allen Director at Large

Warren Bell Board Chair

Stephanie Bird Finance & Audit Committee Chair

Walter Brewer Director from the Peninsula Club

Marlis Butcher Director from the Toronto Club

Rob Graham Governance Committee Chair

John Grandy Board Vice Chair

David Hass Director at Large

Brian Johnston Director at Large

Corrie Kellestine Director from the Niagara Club

Bruce King Director from the Beaver Valley Club

David Lamb Risk Committee Chair,Director from theCaledon Hills Club

Janice McClelland Fundraising CommitteeChair, Director at Large

Leah Myers Director at Large

Anjlee Patel Director at Large

Frank Schoenhoeffer Director from the Sydenham Club

Marietta Service Director from the Blue Mountains Club

Sue Simons Director from the Dufferin Hi-Land Club

Paul Toffoletti Director from the Iroquoia Club

Report from the AGM

2 0 1 6 A N N u A L G E N E R A L M E E T I N G R O L L C A L L

The 2016 Bruce Trail Conservancy Annual General Meeting, hosted byDufferin Hi-Land Bruce Trail Club, was an overwhelming success!

The AGM kicked off on Friday night with live enter-tainment by our own brilliant musician Carl Tafel. Toadd to the evening, the on-the-spot creation of a beau-tiful Bruce Trail painting for auction was a huge suc-cess, the display of delicious appetizers was commentedon by everyone, and the welcoming room setup alladded to the wonderfully warm feeling of the event. Saturday’s BTC business meeting kicked off with anoverview of the past year’s activities which included adedicated focus on governance. The membership votedin favour of by-law changes intended to bring theorganization in line with current not-for-profit gover-nance practices. Reports were received from BTC Boardmembers, Staff, committee chairs and representativesfrom the nine Bruce Trail Clubs. The NominatingCommittee presented a slate for the 2016-2017 Boardof Directors, and the new Board was elected. Questionsand comments from the floor included thoughtful dis-cussions around investments, membership promotion

and land acquisition challenges, amongst others. Afternoon workshops were well attended and every-one came back excited and happy with their adventures.Saturday dinner was delicious, and award presentationsinspiring. Sunday hikes were fun and diverse. Thisyear’s youngest member winner may be the youngestmember of the ‘Youngest Member Award’ on record! The Club’s balance sheet at the end of the weekendshowed a healthy profit, due to the tireless efforts of thecommittee members who worked to limit expenses andof course, a hugely successful and expertly organizedsilent auction by Donna Powell. Carol Foley, the AGM Committee chair for theDufferin Hi-Land club, thanks volunteers Les Babbage,Peter Blackmere, Brian Cornfield, Margery Cruise, BryanFoley, James Griffin, Tony Hopkins, Ruth Little, JimPreyde, Georgina Shelton, Barbara Songzoni, Carl Tafeland Glenys Williams for their contributions.

By Carol Foley, Dufferin Hi-Land Bruce Trail Club

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A B R I d G E dA N N u A L R E p O R TJULY 1, 2015 – JUNE 30, 2016

YEAR 5 – LENGTHENING OUR STRIDE

CELEBRATING OUR 50T H ANNIVERSARY MILESTONES

To read the full version of the AnnualReport please visit our web page at brucetrail.org/pages/about-us/annual-reports-financial-statements

H I G H L I G H T S 2 0 15 - 2 0 16

9 new nature reserves were created and 2 easements secured,preserving 290 acres (117.4 hectares) of Niagara Escarpment landscape

3.3 km of Bruce Trail Optimum Route secured

A significant milestone in land preservation was reached: theConservancy is now responsible for the permanent preservation ofover 10,000 acres of land on the Niagara Escarpment

Membership growth surged to a 30 year high of 9,358

1,500 volunteers now support the work of the Bruce Trail Conservancy

The largest single Trail development and Maintenance constructionproject was completed: replacement of the 900 m Snake Boardwalk atCape Croker

LIGHT NATURE RESERVE, Peninsula

In 2016 Bruce Trail Conservancymembership levels grew for thethird consecutive year to 9,358– the highest level in 30 years.All nine Bruce Trail Clubs saw growth.

28

29

During the 2015-2016 fiscal yearwe celebrated the 5th year of our

50th Anniversary Milestones program by showcasingthe ways in which the Bruce Trail Conservancycommunity – our members, volunteers, staff andother supporters – are Lengthening Our Stride. Almost 300 acres of precious Niagara Escarpmentlandscape – cliffs, forests, wetlands, shorelines, andthe plants and animals that call the Escarpment theirhome – were added to the Bruce Trail’sConservation Corridor. These acquisitions brought usto a significant milestone: in December 2015 theamount of Niagara Escarpment land preservedthrough the work of the Bruce Trail Conservancysurpassed 10,000 acres; at fiscal year end we hadpreserved 10,222 acres, worth $28 million, whichsecures 145 km of the Bruce Trail’s Optimum Route. Landowners continued to show theircommitment to conservation and their trust in theBruce Trail Conservancy by allowing the Bruce Trailon their land, and three groups of landownersreached even further by donating their land tosecure the Bruce Trail. Trail workers show astounding dedication inevery aspect of their work – blazing, clearing theTrail, and erecting structures to facilitate passage,amongst many other tasks. Particularly notable thisyear was the dedication of volunteers in thePeninsula Club who completed the 900 m longSnake Boardwalk at Cape Croker. After three steady years of growth, membershipreached its highest level in over 30 years, closing theyear at an impressive 9,358 memberships. Every day our members, volunteers, donors andstaff are taking ever greater strides to move the BruceTrail Conservancy closer to our vision. I amhonoured to be working within this tremendouscommunity of support.

Beth GilhespyCHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Lengthening Our Stride is notsimply about reaching further

and accomplishing greater things in support ofour mission today – it is about setting the stagefor future growth and even longer strides. This past year we did indeed reach further andaccomplish great things. The amount of land wehave been responsible for preserving topped10,000 acres, our membership grew to a 30 yearhigh, a new head office was found that providesa welcoming working and meeting space for ourstaff and volunteers, our donations increasedsignificantly over the previous two years, and ourcorps of volunteer supporters grew to 1,500. We also achieved success in setting the stagefor future growth of the organization, throughorganizational changes that will enhance andimprove our governance. Following severalmonths of consultation with Bruce Trail Clubboards and other stakeholders, by-law changeswere approved by the Bruce Trail ConservancyBoard of Directors that will bring ourorganization in line with current not-for-profitgovernance practices, allow for more efficiencyin our operations, and increase transparency andaccountability to our members and donors. The successes of this past year are a testamentto the hard work of the Bruce TrailConservancy’s Board of Directors, staff andvolunteers, and to the dedication of ourmembers and supporters who share our vision:a permanently protected conservation corridoralong the Niagara Escarpment that contains ourbeautiful Bruce Trail. On behalf of the Board ofDirectors, my thanks to all our members andsupporters who have allowed us to lengthen our strides.

Warren Bell BOARD CHAIR

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S MESSAGEBOARD CHAIR’S MESSAGE

“The Bruce Trail changedmy life. It lengthened my stride and gave joy tomy heart.” Dr. Philip Gosling, Bruce Trail Founder, Member of the Order of Canada

30

Bruce Trail Conservancy donors andlandowners continued to demonstratetheir commitment to, and belief in, thevision of a secured Bruce Trail along theNiagara Escarpment. Their donations ofland and cash ensured the preservationof almost 300 additional acres of land forthe Bruce Trail’s Conservation Corridor.

Agricultural land at the

SYDENHAM NATURE RESERVE, Sydenham

L A N D A C Q U I S I T I O N

NATuRE RESERvE SECTION SIzEOpTIMuM ROuTE FuNdING pRESERvEd

LAN kwAN SuM NATuRE Toronto 18 acres (7.3 ha) 700 m Funded by a bequest from RESERvE AT ROCkSIdE Lan Kwan Sum and BTC Donors

CEdAR hIGhLANdS Caledon Hills 7.1 acres (2.9 ha) 250 m Funded by BTC DonorsREACh (2 pARCELS)

MONO kILN EdGE NATuRE Caledon Hills 6 acres (2.4 ha) 400 m Funded by BTC Donors RESERvE

wALTER’S CREEk NATuRE Sydenham 16.5 acres (6.7 ha) 447 m Funded by BTC DonorsRESERvE

SydENhAM NATuRE Sydenham 127 acres (51 ha) * Generously donated by RESERvE the Landowner

vANIShING STREAM NATuRE Peninsula 105 acres (42 ha) 1,100 m Funded by BTC DonorsRESERvE (2 pARCELS)

CuNNINGhAM Peninsula 0.06 acres (0.03 ha) 53 m Generously donated EASEMENT by the Landowner **

hAMILTON Peninsula 0.03 acres (0.01 ha) 53 m Generously donated EASEMENT by the Landowner **

LIGhT NATuRE RESERvE Peninsula 11 acres (4.5 ha) 358 m Funded by a bequest from Bob Light * Side trail in development** Donated to the Ontario Heritage Trust for the purpose of securing the Bruce Trail

2 0 1 5 – 2 0 1 6 L A N D A CQ U I S I T I O N S

9NEW NATURE

RESERVES CREATED

2NEW EASEMENTS

SECURED

Land

In addition to the 9 nature reserves acquiredthis year, the Conservancy contributed to theacquisition of 45 acres (18.2 hectares) of NiagaraEscarpment land featuring rugged cliffs and asweeping landscape just below Old BaldyConservation Area, in partnership with GreySauble Conservation Authority. The Bruce TrailConservancy also assisted landowners and theOntario Heritage Trust in the donation of twoeasements that contain the Bruce Trail.Cooperative land acquisition strategies like thesefurther the goals of the land trust communitywhile protecting the Bruce Trail.

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WALTER’S CREEK NATURE RESERVE, Sydenham

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Graves

290ACRES OF LAND PRESERVED

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Hispid Greenbriar at the

LAN KWAN SUM NATURE RESERVE AT ROCKSIDE, Toronto

Killdeer chick at

VANISHING STREAM NATURE RESERVE, Peninsula

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LIGHT NATURE RESERVE, Peninsula

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CEDAR HIGHLANDS REACH, Caledon Hills31

S

p

w

t

b

b

f *

Lime Kilns at the

MONO KILN EDGE NATURE

RESERVE, Caledon Hills

CUNNINGHAM EASEMENT, PeninsulaHAMILTON EASEMENT, Peninsula

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d

32

The success of the Bruce Trail Conservancy’s land acquisition program generatesgrowing opportunities to steward and nurture the land under our care. With 290 acres of Niagara Escarpment land added to the Bruce Trail’s ConservationCorridor, the commitment of our tireless land stewardship volunteers grows. The9,077 acres of land entrusted to our care are being carefully monitored to ensurethat they remain ecologically healthy while also providing Bruce Trail access tothe Niagara Escarpment.

L AND S T EWARD SH I P Land

112INVASIVE SPECIES

MAPPED

227STEWARDSHIP VOLUNTEERS

185NEW

OCCURRENCESOF RARE ORENDANGERED

SPECIES RECORDEDON BTC LAND

The viability of a continuous Bruce Trail is intrinsically

linked to the support of our 938 landowners who

allow the Bruce Trail across their land. Each plays an

important role in ensuring the Bruce Trail is

accessible and available for people to explore.

In 2015 the Ontario’s Trails Act was presented to

the Ontario Legislative Assembly. This proposed

legislation, in particular Bill 100, generated the

opportunity for landowners and the Bruce Trail

Conservancy’s Landowner Relations (LOR) volunteers

to connect and discuss the legislation. We extend

our sincere thanks to our LOR volunteers and Bruce

Trail landowners for taking the time to understand

and explain the legislation, and in many cases lobby

for its passing.

LANDOWNER RELATIONS

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Pollinator boxes being installed at the McNally Nature Reserve

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T R A I L D E V E LO PM E N T & M A I N T E N A N C E

This extraordinary project was funded by TheHamlin Family Foundation, RBC Blue Water Project,the estates of two families and the Peninsula BruceTrail Club. This project – named for the shape of theboardwalk – is merely one example of theextraordinary efforts our trail volunteers make tokeep the Bruce Trail in the best possible condition,and to give hikers the best opportunity to appreciatethe unique Niagara Escarpment.During the last year, we have also opened new

and improved routes for our Main Trail in thePeninsula and Sydenham sections, as well as newside trails in Peninsula, Sydenham, Beaver Valley,Dufferin Hi-Land and Toronto sections.

Bruce Trail volunteers completed the largest single trail development and maintenanceproject of the last twenty years: the complete reconstruction of the 900 metre SnakeBoardwalk at Cape Croker, property of the Chippewas of Nawash First Nation.

2015-2016 CONSERVATION CORRIDOR FACTS

QuANTIFyING OpTIMuMROuTE SECuREd

The Bruce Trail’s Optimum Route is the mostdesirable location for the Trail, and our goal is topermanently secure that route within a broaderConservation Corridor on the Niagara Escarpment. Historically we have calculated “Optimum Routesecured” by adding the amount of Optimum Routeon public land (provincial and federal parks,municipal land and land in the care of other publicagencies) as well as on Bruce Trail Conservancyland. Using this method, for example, our OptimumRoute Secured total for F2015 was 51.5 percent. While ideally the Optimum Route should notfollow roads, there are many locations along itslength where travelling along or crossing roads androad allowances is essential to link these securedlands. These unavoidable and necessary roadpieces add up to 101 km, which is 11.5 percent ofthe Optimum Route! This year, in consideration of the fact that theseare public conveyances, we have added these roadpieces to our Optimum Route calculations. Thisbrings the total amount of Optimum Route securedto 63.1 percent.

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Trail

Volunteers at work on the Snake Boardwalk reconstruction

2015-2016 2014-2015 2013-2014 2012-2013

Amount of Escarpment 117 hectares 103 hectares 49 hectares 227 hectaresland secured (290 acres) (255 acres) (121 acres) (562 acres)

Total acres of Escarpment land 3,673 hecatres 3,556 hectares 3,453 hectares 3,406 hectaresmanaged by BTC (257 parcels) (9,077 acres) (8,787 acres) (8,532 acres) (8,416 acres)

Total Optimum Route secured 3.3 km 3.3 km 3.9 km 4.8 km

Length of Optimum Route 877 km 876 km 874 km 873 km

Secured Optimum Route on 553 km 451 km 449 km 443 kmBTC and public land

Essential Optimum Route road segments (see note on 101 kmquantifying the Optimum Route above)

percentage of Trail secure 63.1% 51.5% 51.4 % 50.7 %

SNAkE BOARdwALk

FACTS

900 mAt 3,000 feet, the longest boardwalkon the Bruce Trail

3 yearrestoration project

(2013-2016)

$50,000in lumber costs alone

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34

V O L U N T E E R S

1,500VOLUNTEERS

145,305VOLUNTEER HOURS

75FULL TIME POSITIONS

(EQUIVALENT) CONTRIBUTED BYVOLUNTEERS

In addition to the widely popular Trail work ourvolunteers undertake, they are also activelyinvolved in membership outreach, landownerrelations, land securement, archival work, financeand policy work. The Bruce Trail Conservancycoordinates volunteer training and in 2016 hostedthe bi-annual Working Together Conference. Thisyear almost 100 volunteers attended, from allcommittees, to learn and share their successesand challenges.

Today 1,500 volunteers support thework of the Bruce Trail Conservancy.

Photos: Jan

Graves

UPS corporate volunteers assist with a land stewardshipclean up initiative in the Hamilton area

Tree planting in the Blue Mountains section

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35

Members – the core of our organization– give the Bruce Trail Conservancy thestrength needed to take bold strides forconservation.

M E M B E R S

Photo: Hea

ther Van

derkruk

People

4%MEMBERSHIP GROWTH

1,498MEMBERS NOW ENROLLED IN

AUTOMATIC MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL

82%OF MEMBERS

RENEWED THEIRMEMBERSHIP

NUMBER OF BRUCE TRAIL CONSERVANCY MEMBERSHIPS

9,500

9,400

9,300

9,200

9,100

9,000

8,900

8,800

8,700

8,600

8,500

JuNE 2014 JuNE 2015 JuNE 2016

8,671

8,996

9,358

MEMBERShIp By CLuB:

Niagara 704

Iroquoia 2,294

Toronto 2,822

Caledon hills 886

dufferin hi-Land 357

Blue Mountains 541

Beaver valley 581

Sydenham 435

peninsula 683

No Club Affiliation 55

TOTAL 9,358

In 2016 Bruce Trail Conservancy membershipgrew for the third consecutive year to 9,358 mem-berships – a thirty year high. All nine of the BruceTrail Clubs saw growth in numbers this past year. But more than numbers, our members repre-sent a growing community of supporters – a col-lection of voices championing trails and conserva-tion of the Niagara Escarpment.

MEMBER FACTS

324Lifetime Members

26%of members enhanced their support with a donation

YOUare more than a number. You are part of a growing movement of conservation.

Thank you!

36

D O N O R S

In 2016 the Bruce Trail Conservancy was thefortunate beneficiary of a sizable land donation:the Sydenham Nature Reserve. Long-timemember and donor Dr. Cliff Keeling donated hisbeloved farm land to be preserved in perpetuityby the Bruce Trail Conservancy. Funding was granted to the Bruce TrailConservancy from the Nature Conservancy ofCanada’s Natural Areas Conservation Program inthe amount of $102,432 to support landacquisition. Our donors participated in a number of specialfundraising events in 2015-16, including afantastic day at Otter Lake Nature Reserve whichraised $10,600, hikers also made their kilometrescount in the 2nd Annual Bruce Trail Hike-a-thonin 2015, raising over $20,000 and participating inour first online-only auction which thanks in greatpart to a donation from Adventure Canadagenerated $17,440 in support for the Bruce TrailConservancy.

Individual donors giving today, or those making a planned gift, provide thefoundation for the Bruce Trail Conservancy’s successes.

CATEGORY OF SUPPORT 2015-2016 2014-2015 2013-2014 2012-2013

donations*

Land Acquisition and Conservation (Cash, Securities, $ 2,398,811 $ 2,012,138 $ 1,668,470 $ 2,148,694 Insurance Policy Premiums and Bequests)

Land Acquisition (Land Donations to the BTC) 265,000 30,800 239,700 638,000

Land Acquisition (Land Acquisition by, or donations to, 43,000 – – 78,375

partner agencies with BTC support)

Subtotal donations $ 2,706,811 $ 2,042,938 $ 1,908,170 $ 2,865,069

Grants* (Federal, Provincial and Municipal Governments)

Land Acquisition 102,432 – $ 72,342 –

Land Conservation 14,615 $ 7,420 $ 37,810 $ 16,486

Subtotal Grants $ 117,047 $ 7,420 $ 110,152 $ 16,486

Sponsorships $ 28,951 $ 39,950 $ 48,150 $ 47,500

Total donations, Grants and Sponsorships $ 2,852,809 $ 2,090,308 $ 2,066,472 $ 2,929,055

* includes undesignated and land-designated funds

2015-2016 SOURCES OFFUNDRAISING REVENUE

60%Individuals

and Bequests

20%Foundations

9%Land Donations

4%Government

3%Clubs

4%Corporations

37

Yellow Warbler take off

38

F I N A N C I A L S

Owing to the generosity of our members, donors,landowners and other supporters, the Bruce TrailConservancy’s finances continue to be stable andthe stage is set for future growth of the organization.

Land AcquisitionConsistent with our Mission of securing a conserva-tion corridor on the Niagara Escarpment, the mostsignificant spending this year as in past years was forproperty acquisitions. The Bruce Trail Conservancy acquired 9 propertiesduring F2016 (12 in F2015), with a total value of$1,179,265 ($1,066,574 in F2015). Additional propertyacquisition and securement costs of $211,675($179,167 in F2015), the Bruce Trail Conservancyalso paid out a $100,000 mortgage provided by aF2015 landowner, for a total of $1,390,940 in landacquisition costs ($1,245,741 in F2015). At June 30, 2016 the Bruce Trail Conservancyowned 95 properties (87 in F2015) and a bridge overthe QEW, which have a net book value of$13,260,097 ($12,104,296 in F2015). During F2016the Bruce Trail Conservancy was able to sell a sev-ered non-conservation building lot, less disposalcosts of $10,363, for a net of $214,637.

There was an overall increase in donation revenue in Fiscal 2016 (F2016) overFiscal 2015 (F2015), allowing the Bruce Trail Conservancy the flexibility to securemore land for the Bruce Trail’s Conservation Corridor.

Balance SheetThe Balance Sheet at year end shows total assets of$16,577,263 ($15,290,885 in F2015). These assets arecomprised of current assets, restricted assets (LandStewardship Reserve Fund), capital assets and other.

Contingency Reserve Fund: A Contingency ReserveFund of $1 million is maintained to address anyfuture crisis situation. At F2016 year end this fund hada balance of $1,015,190 ($1,001,496 in F2015).

Land Stewardship Reserve Fund: For every prop-erty acquired, 10% of its value is placed into theLand Stewardship Reserve Fund. This fund is com-prised of cash and marketable securities and restrict-ed marketable securities (for the Fossil Glen NatureReserve) to generate income to cover future stew-ardship of the property. As a result of the acquisitionof several new properties in F2016, and investmentincome, the Land Stewardship Reserve grew by$146,986 to $838,041 ($691,055 in F2015).

Conservation Fund: This Fund addresses landacquisition, land stewardship and other mission-related programs. The vast majority of the BruceTrail Conservancy’s assets, including landholdingsare held in this fund. Cash availability at year endwas $566,815 ($480,581 in F2015) while landowned, buildings and bridges totaled $13,260,097($12,304,296 in F2015). Another asset is the cashsurrender value of a paid up life insurance policy inwhich the Bruce Trail Conservancy is the beneficiary,totalling $105,351 ($100,557 in F2015). Liabilities forthis fund include deferred grants of $88,893 ($27,893in F2015) and payables of $108,155 ($177,706 inF2015).

Capacity Fund: The day to day administrativeexpenses to run the Bruce Trail Conservancy aredrawn from this fund. The fund balance is com-posed of current assets, capital assets, current liabili-ties and deferred revenue from three year and lifememberships. Capital assets increased this yearowing to our move to a new head office location,which required finishing and furnishing, plus thedevelopment of our new database. This increased

Photo: Jan

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39

the net value for F2016 to $210,307 from $27,077 inF2015. The primary current assets consist of cashand marketable securities of $389,776 ($593,033 inF2015). The remaining current assets are comprisedof inventory, which is made up of guidebooks andother Bruce Trail Conservancy products that have avalue of $18,277 ($59,559 in F2015), receivables$27,527 ($15,784 in F2015) and prepaid expenses of$92,637 ($9,770 in F2015). The increase in prepaidexpenses is attributable to the timing of insurancefees, rent, and the new database.

Revenues and ExpendituresBruce Trail Enterprises’ net earnings were $65,111, a23% decrease over F2015 ($84,803) due primarily tothe weaker sales of the 28th edition of the BruceTrail Reference which was released late in F2014 andhad the most financial impact in F2015. Membershiprevenues increased by 6.6% to $432,678 ($405,805 inF2015) reflecting growth in our membership pro-gram. Donations of cash, securities, bequests andland of $2,766,263 (comprised of $265,000 in land,$575,277 in donations designated for land acquisi-tion and $1,925,986 in non-restricted donations)were higher than in F2015 ($2,132,607), primarilydue to the higher cost of the land acquired and thusincreased fundraising initiatives. Grants of $117,047(comprised of a $102,432 grant designated for landand $14,615 in undesignated grants) were higherthan F2015 ($57,420); the majority of the grant fundswere derived from the Government of Canada’sNatural Areas Conservation Plan, an ecological landfunding program administered by the NatureConservancy of Canada. Expenses for the year totaled $2,235,690($2,082,267 in F2015). The cost of salaries, benefitsand government remittances for Bruce TrailConservancy staff was $1,204,765 ($1,105,005 in

F2015). There was one additional staff memberadded in F2016. The majority of payroll costs wererelated to fundraising for land acquisition and otherprograms, membership and public outreach. During April of 2016 the head office relocated fromRasberry House on the grounds of The RoyalBotanical Gardens in Hamilton, Ontario to a newlyconstructed building in Dundas, Ontario. The totalcost of $134,181 for moving, furniture and fixtures,computers and leasehold improvements was offset bythe head office moving reserve of $130,000. Overall, our F2016 revenues exceeded expenses by$371,935 ($232,780 in F2015), donations designated forland acquisition were $575,277 ($519,918 in F2015)and donations of land were $265,000 ($161,050 inF2015). Together these amounts allowed for securingmore of the Bruce Trail’s Conservation Corridor.

Finances

Fiddleheads

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After 32 years, The Bruce TrailConservancy has a new home.Staff moved to 55Head St, Dundas Ontario inApril. The LEED certified building is a welcomingspace (with thanks to Mattamy Homes forsupporting the furnishings) where volunteersare welcome to hold meetings and all areencouraged to visit.

Full audited statements are available http://brucetrail.org/pages/about-us/annual-reports-financial-statements


Tra i l Changes

NIAGARAMap #2 – Fireman’s park Side TrailA dead end side trail leading throughFireman’s Park and Bruce Trail managedland, ending at Concession 6.Fireman’s Park Side Trail = 2.5 km

IROQuOIAMap #6 – Glover Mountain Road Side Trail The Glover Mountain Road Side Trailhas been temporarily closed due to theinstallation of storm water managementstructures on Glover Mountain Road,which has restricted roadside parkingand access to this side trail. The anticipated reopening is January 1,2017. The Glover Mountain Road SideTrail is found at km 21.1 in the BruceTrail Reference, Edition 28.

Map #8 – parking restriction on Lions Club RdThe City of Hamilton has installed “No Stopping” signage on Lions ClubRoad. Parking on this road is no longer recommended. A new parking area has been providedby the Conservation Authority on Artaban

Road within Dundas Valley ConservationArea. A day-use fee is in effect.

Map #8 – webster’s Falls - trail closureA portion of the Webster’s Falls Side Trailhas been closed. The remaining portionof the side trail has been renamed TewsFalls Side Trail.Tews Falls Side Trail = 3.1 kmClosed Trail = 1.3 km

TORONTO Map #12 – Todd Bardes Meadowland Side TrailCreated to honour the memory of long-time Bruce Trail volunteer, Todd Bardes. The Trail meanders through an openmeadow with wildflowers, newly plantednative trees and milkweed plants coupledwith birdhouses, bee and butterfly waystations. The Toronto Bruce Trail Club’sConservation Committee has made greatefforts to ensure this side trail is carefullyand thoughtfully brought to the bestconservation standards. Creates an 890 m loop with the mainBruce Trail.Todd Bardes Meadowland Side Trail = 540 metres

CALEdON hILLSMap #19 – Turnbull Side Trail - Annual ClosureThe landowner has requested an annualclosure of the Turnbull Side Trail to accom-modate hunting season on their land. The duration of the annual closurewill span from October 1st through toDecember 31st. A trail closure notice has been postedat the trail access. Please obey thelandowner’s wishes. Trespassing will not be tolerated.

BLuE MOuNTAINSMap #23 – petun Side Trail – Annual ClosurePart of the Petun Side Trail as denotedon the map will be closed annually fromDecember 1st through to March 31st.

T R A I L R E R O u T E S & N E w T R A I L S A S O F O C TO B E R 2016, p O S T 28T h E d I T I O N


BLuE MOuNTAINSMap #24 – Annual ClosureAs denoted on the map, this segment ofthe Bruce Trail will be closed annuallyfrom November 1st through to May 1st.

SydENhAMMap #29 – Bognor Marsh Side TrailThe old side trail through the roadallowance was destroyed by ATVs. Thenew route leaves the pond area andwanders through the forest before reach-ing the Escarpment.Bognor Marsh Side Trail = 980 metres

Map #31 – Bothwell’s CornerThrough the generous permission of theKOA campground owners, the mainBruce Trail has been rerouted throughthe campground enabling the Trail toaccess BTC land. In addition, the KOA Side Trail has beenextended onto the campground road tointersect with the main Bruce Trail.New Main Trail Segment = 8 km (shown on themap in black)kOA Side Trail = 620 metersNote: This new reroute is now in effectsuperseding the previously published rerouteof the same name, posted on Feb 19, 2016.

pENINSuLAMap #37 – hart’s Tongue Side TrailThe Hart’s Tongue Side Trail has beenmoved, and the previous route is nowdecommissioned. As a result, theBoundary Bluffs Side Trail has beenextended to meet the main Bruce Trail.hart’s Tongue Side Trail = 1.9 kmBoundary Bluffs Side Trail = 4.9 km

Photo: Greg Com

an

Birding Hotspots

Birding in winter is a particular treat. With the

branches bare, we are given a wonderful

opportunity to take in our winter birds up close.

Importantly all the birding spots highlighted here

are found on land preserved by the Bruce Trail

Conservancy.

Speyside woods property

LocationThe Speyside Woods Property is locatedbetween the towns of Milton and Actonjust off of Halton Road 25. Parking isavailable at the end of 17 Sideroad onMap 12 (28th Edition Bruce TrailReference) Guide, edition 28.

HabitatsThe majority of the property is a matureSugar Maple forest with a small openmeadow and various wetlands dispersedthroughout in low lying areas includingFreeman’s Maple swamps andgraminoid marsh.

Northern Waterthrush

Photo: Beth Gilh

espy

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Silent valley Nature Reserve

LocationThis Nature Reserve is located in theeastern region of Grey County, about 3km south of the village of Woodford.There is limited parking at the end of2nd Concession S off Highway 18 asillustrated on Map 30 (28th EditionBruce Trail Reference) Guide, edition 28.

HabitatsThe majority of the Nature Reserve isSugar Maple forest with the NiagaraEscarpment crossing the property in aroughly southwest-northeast directioncreating an impressive crevice and cavesystem. A variety of wetlands are foundin the southern and eastern portions ofthe property where water flow pools cre-ating shallow open ponds surrounded bythicket swamp and meadow marsh.

Species to SpotAt least 63 bird species have been record-ed on the property. Notable species include Wood Thrush,Red-shouldered Hawk, Hooded Warbler,Coopers Hawk and Eastern Wood Pewee. The mature forest provides a home formany interior forest species and theswamps are abundant with NorthernWaterthrush during the breeding season.Although the meadow is small it is filledwith many edge associated birds includ-ing Indigo Buntings and Eastern Towhee.

Species to SpotAt least 53 bird species have been record-ed at Silent Valley. Notable species include Golden WingedWarbler, Marsh Wren, Blackpoll Warbler,Wood Thrush and Great Blue Heron. This large property and the diversity ofhabitats provide a great experience toobserve a large variety of forest and wet-land birds including several species ofwarbler, many uncommon in Ontario. •Golden Winged Warbler

Indigo Bunting

Speyside Woods Property

BIRdING TIpS• Join a local birding or naturalist group

to learn from their experience andknowledge.

• Remain still and as quiet as possiblewhen viewing or listening to birds.

• Set up a bird feeder in your backyard toattract the birds and allow you to get acloser look at them.

The BTC would love to receive a list ofyour sightings. E-mail your observationsto [email protected] or [email protected] and don’t forget to let usknow which hotspot you visited.

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Marsh Wren

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OUR GENEROUS DONORS The following donors have made gifts of $100 or more to The Bruce Trail Conservancy between July 1, 2016 to September 30, 2016

Peter Albiez & FamilyLeslie & Gerald AlexanderLynn C Allen & Hamish CDuthie

Dale AndersonArcelorMittal Dofasco IncRichard ArmstrongLyne ArseneauLianne AttersleyMary BakerBernd BaldusMichael BarnardJoan & Tony BartonPatricia BartonPier-Giorgio BassiSteve & Jean BaxterViki BaylisGary BeaudoinBeaver Valley Bruce TrailClub

John BedfordWarren Bell & LyneDesforges

Bell Canada EmployeeGiving Program

Marc BertolaSusan Bigland-WittonStephanie Bird & FamilyHeidi BischofJonathan & Deborah BlackBloom Depot IncLaurel BoatmanRuth BoltKaren BonhamEdward BorowskiDrew BowlesGeorge BowmanHans BrandlDavid C BrayBeth BrescacinMichael Brett & FamilyMark Brett & KathleenDenomy

Walter BrewerKen & Heidi BriscoJohn & Joanne BrockDeborah BrownRobert BrownCarol BudgeWilliam BuhlmanJohn BurgessAlexander BurkeBarbara BurrowsGeorge A CalderCaledon Hills Bruce TrailClub

Joe Calleja

Bruce & Ruth CalvertEwan CameronDavid & Karen CapelazoLouise CarberryDonna CarpenterMalcolm CarrIrene CarrollAnne CathraeKathy CecchettoEric ChabotJune ChambersKatherine ChapmanWilliam ChapmanRudy ChiarandiniLaurence & Irene ChristieMichael & Joanne CicchineCity of HamiltonWilliam ColemanHazel CollinsComputershare Marilyn CooperMargaret Corner & FamilyKelli CornforthAndrew CostleyJames CouseChristine CraigDiane CroppDoug & Loreen CummingStefan CwikowskiJoe & Teresa DaleColleen Darrell & GregoryHuffman

Rolph DavisVictor & Sandra DavisRolph DavisJayne & Ted DawsonLynda DeboerDiane DelaneyFrank & Norma DeloguHeather Di MarcoSteve & Karen DickieStephen & Rosemary DigbyDavid DirksJill DobleDaphne DonaldsonJill DouglasJim & Sheila DruryGermaine Drury & FamilyGordon & Linda EdwardsLarry EdwardsRichard EdwardsDavid EikelboomPatricia Elgie-HamiltonJennifer EliasmithAndrew ElliotEadaoin Elliott

Hazel ElliottLisa EtienneBarbara EulerJohn EvansElizabeth Fedorkow & DavidAlles

Monica & Alex FeranMary FergusonFFWD Ltd The North FaceEvent Trust Account

Douglas FinleyGreg & Alice ForbesJeffrey ForgraveStewart ForrestJames ForsterFoxcroft Capital CorpDonna FreemanBarbara FreyBill & Mary Elizabeth FultonElizabeth GadsbyKit & Gilles GagnonJohn & Cheryl GanannHeather GardinerSteve & Diane Gaunt &Family

Tara GeorgeBill George & Barb JackelMartha Davidson & StephenGeraedts

Vicki GerthFraser & Nancy GibsonMartin & Brenda GibsonDonna GierszewskiBeth Gilhespy & FamilyLaura GillisBruce & Anne GodwinChristine GordonLinden GossenGrand River EnvironmentalNetwork

Jan Graves & FamilyJohn & Jane GreenhouseDanielle GriebschRoberta G GriffithsCorry GroepRobert GuthrieLarry HaighEmil HakimThomas Hall & FamilyRobert & Linda HansenStephen Hardacre & NadiaChiarotto

Vi Harris & FamilyDavid HassMartin & Grace HawesJulie HayLloyd & Mary Hayward

Patrick Heffernan & FamilyHelen McCrea PeacockFoundation

Donna HemeonSarah HendersonIan & Jan HendrieStella HeskethPaul HewittRobert HiemstraDoris & Dennis HilkerPauline HillFerelith Hoffmann-TaylorKsavera HorlorStephen HoweBetty HowellDiana HowellGeorge & Anne HumeMichael HunterHydro One Employees &Pensioners' Charity Trust

Monica HypherAngela IarocciCheryl IpShirley IrishIroquoia Bruce Trail ClubIsthmus Bay PropertyOwners Association Inc.

Ann Jackson & Denis HoPeter & Martina JaeggiHerbert JenkinsKim JenningsDave JewettRegine JoexenDavid JohnstonJanette JohnstonJulie A JonesSteve Jones & FamilyVida JuozaitisCatherine KaloutskySarah KamRobina KaposyJack & Sheila KarrCliff KeelingSteve & Karen Kennan-ChycNicole Kenney & FamilyNicholas KeresztesiJean KerinsPhilip KidstonBruce King & Valerie JonesTerry KirkBill KleinIngrid KleysteuberGisela KnappePatricia KnightDave KnoxDiane & Martin KnyfJean Koroway

Larry & Liz KosterJohn KranyicsErnie KuechmeisterJohn KuhneSandra LachanceAlkarim LadhaGrace Lake & FamilyDavid Lamb & FamilyRichard Land & FamilyLarry W ChambersConsulting Ltd

Karen LaurenceFrank LauritzenGayle LawsDavid & Lisa Lawson &Family

Kate LazierYong Cho LeePeter LeeneySteve LeisVolkmar LeistnerEberhard LeistnerSidney Lennox KingBrandon LevacJoy LevineChristine LewisDavid Lloyd & MaureenBruce

Araby LockhartJohn LoncarFreda LordJohn & Kathryn LyeMichelle LynnErrol MacKenzie & JeanneKeldson

Evelyn MacLeanPeter & Marilyn MacLoghlinSusan MacMillanNancy & Robert MannIvor MansellWilliam MarkowDonald MarshallKaren & Chris MarshallNicole MartinRobin Maughan & FamilyJohn MaxwellJanice McClelland & Don Blok

Margaret McColl & FamilyJohn & Elizabeth McCullamBrian McDiarmidPatricia McDonald-HarrisonDavid & Mary McEwenMaureen McFarlandSylvia J McGeerChris McGonagle & FamilyMaureen McGuigan


Grace & DougMcKirgan

Kevin McLeanRichard McLeanCassandra MendoncaBrent MichalukLeslie MichelCathrine MiddletonKathleen MillerDarryl MinardRuth Moffatt Russell MooreAlan & Anne MorganCarmel MothersillDavid MouleKenneth & SueMullings

William MurphyLeah MyersPatricia NelsonWilliam NestorovichDave NeufeldtHoward and PamelaNewman

Jordan NeysmithNiagara Falls BruceTrail Club

Niagara FallsInternationalMarathon Inc

Diane NicolucciIan & Linda Nielsen-Jones

Rosalind NightingaleRalph & Louise NovakJoan NuffieldRichard Ogilvie &Family

Mike OsbornDavid OsmondAllan OutramMarg & Will OvertonHeather PantreyScott ParkerRoy ParryAnjlee PatelJanet PattersonSteve & MaureenPeacock & Family

Michael PedersenPeel Board of EdHilda PelisseroPeninsula Bruce TrailClub

Rosemary PetrieErnestine PetriwGenevieve Plank &Family

Cathy PloszRichard Plume &Wendy Latham

Diane C PopeHenry & Susan PoppAnne Marie PrendivilleSusan & James PreydeRobert PutmanBrendan PynenburgPeter Quinton

Don Ramsden &Family

RBC FoundationMichael ReelGlynnis RenggerMary ReynoldsJoan RichardDerek & MerleRichards

Don RichardsonDon RichardsonDon & BettyRichmond

Christopher RobinsonSandi RobinsonRita & WilliamRobinson

John Paul RoneyWilliam RosenfeldRos & Mike Rossetti &Osborn

Rick Russell & FamilyTeri Russell-Hill &Family

Donna RutherfordMalcolm SandersonDavid Sarginson &Family

Frank SchoenhoefferRobert SchoenhoferNicole ScodrasValerie ScottJoyce ScrutonBob SeatonMarietta ServiceDave ShepherdCarol & Ken Sheppard& Family

Lorraine SherredNancy SherwinMary ShierEdward & JocelynShipman

Debbie ShipwayTodd & Kerry ShoaltsSusan SimonsRonald SimpkinSylvia SimpsonEdith SittlingerMaureen SmithRolande SmithSandy SmithAaron Smith &Victoria Bye

Jill Smith-Brodie &David Brodie

Wendy SouthallPatrick SpeisseggerDavid & Ianne SpencerElizabeth StaitePaul StanburyWerner Steger &Family

Jonathon StewartPatricia StewartSheila R StilesNils Stockinger &Family

Judy & Robert StoneMichael StotenVida Stripinis & FamilyBrett SuraAnne SutherlandRichard SwitzerSydenham Bruce TrailClub

Bryce & Anne TannerPatrick TaylorTD Bank Group TDBank Group

Ian & LindaThompson

John ThomsonWillard ThorneBrenda TipperMonica TirionMargaret Tiveron/DGiberson

Toronto BTCNancy TremblayAudrey TurnbullDr. Katherine TurnerDavid TyrrellDavid Tyson & FamilyMyra Van KatwykMary Ann VandenElzen

Janina VanderpostGeorge VnoucekMike & MadeleineVolak & Family

David Wallis & JoanJenkins

Wally's WalkersKevin WarburtonKaren WardRick WatersDonna Watson &Family

Ken & Cecile WeberDana WebsterRobert & Donna WellsDavid Wellstood &Family

Dorothy & GerdWengler

Janet WhiteDave & Ida FayWhitney

Heather WhitneyMarianne & MaldwynWilliams

Gary WilsonIrene WithersRoss WoodSharon WoodleyJoan WorthingtonGary WrathallLaura & Tom WrightSean YarwoodClifton & Elaine YoungFred & Shirley YoungNorman & MarilynYoung

Vince Zvonar

Thank you to all donors whose namesare too numerous to print.WWW. B R U C E T R A I L . O R G B R U C E T R A I L M A G A Z I N E 45

G I F T SGifts were received to honour these special people:

J u Ly 1 , 2 0 1 6 – S E p T E M B E R 3 0 , 2 0 1 6

Lorne HessMalcolm & Brenda McDonald

BirthdayFred Azzopardi – 80th Dennis BakerKate Bedding – 65th George HallLeah Black HauserKeith Hyde – 72nd Peter Jaeggi – 70th Olivier LafleurEarl Scarrow – 100th

WeddingChris & Gary Robinson/Jones

AnniversaryElaine & Mike Bladon – 50th Sue & Dick Carey – 50th Maureen & Alan Ogilvie – 40th Joyce & Joe Ponikowski – 50thVivian & Bill Russell – 50th

New HomeShelley & Gerald Grieve

Get WellDiane Gasner

Completion of an End to EndMargaret Corner – Niagara Section

Thank YouBeaver Valley Bruce Trail Club TrailAngels

Erin DasherDick LaucknerMargaretJoëlle Martin

In Memoriam gifts were received in recognition of:

Stephen North AbbottWilliam AtkinsonTodd Hugh BardesJohn Philip BoissinotKirk BoydJames Alexander BradshawJoyce BromwellWilliam BrownBrian CalvertGeoffrey ChoppingChris CollinsNorm CornackRuth & Doug CunninghamJulie FreyDorothy GibbsUta HarnischJames A. HendersonMary Lucille (Mary Lu) HorlorMario IarocciKevin JamesPeter KavanaghMarek J. LaubitzMalcolm (Mac) McDonald

Christopher McGonagleNoreen McNairnDaphne Elizabeth NichollsWilliam Robert ParkerAnna ReidAlonzo RennieCuthbert RichmondBeth SimmtTafila Gordon-SmithHelen St. AmandJulie TaylorMac TaylorStuart Maxwell TaylorBruce E. TowesTrudy (aunt/sister)James Jackson TysonGerlinde Yurkiw

presents for preservation

BirthdayMary Ann MacDonaldDavid Merritt

T h E B T C B O O k S h E L F

BTC CApS - with logoShow your Bruce Trail pride and look sharp doingit! BTC caps look great and protect your melon.100% cotton with adjustable strap. Available ingreen, black, andnow grey too!$15.00 Code h6(black); Code h8(grey)

ENd-TO-ENd BAdGEFor those who have alreadycompleted the entire BruceTrail and have an official Endto End number. $5.00 Code B6

To order from our extensive collection of books please call 905-529-6821 or visit www.brucetrail.org

EXpLORE NIAGARA$19.95 Code EN

FERNS OF BRuCE& GREy$24.95 Code FN

Silent Valley A stunning jewel in a beautiful necklace…

Ron Savage

!

!!

SILENT vALLEyBOOk $15 Code Sv

hALTON hIkES -LOOpS & LATTES $24.95 Code hL

ORChIdS OFBRuCE & GREy$24.95 Code OS

pLANTS OFSOuThERNONTARIO$29.95 Code pLON

BTC License plate FrameNew Anniversary design - Showyour support of the BTC while onthe road with a custom platesurround. White with dark greenlettering. $5.00 Code p3

2017 BRuCE TRAILCALENdAR

Stunning original Bruce Trail themed art fillsthe 2017 Bruce Trail Calendar. Purchase thecalendar today and help support the workof The Bruce Trail Conservancy. Terrific housewarming, get well or happy retirement gift. Members: $15.00 Code C7M, Non-Members: $18.00 Code C7N

BRuCE TRAIL STAINLESSSTEEL wATER BOTTLEMake this Bruce Trail water bot-tle your constant companion.Made by Wenger (Swiss ArmyKnife). Stainless steel. BPA andPhthalate free. 26 oz, 10.75” H.$19.95 Code SSB

Bruce Trail poster MapPrinted on heavy stock this beautiful map isperfect for hanging at home or at the cottage –maybe even beside your desk for inspiration! 18.5” x 36” $8.85 Code BTp

Bruce Trail Reference Maps and Trail GuideEdition 28 is SOLD OUT at the BTCBut can still be purchased at: Indigo / Chapters / ColesMEC (Toronto & Burlington) / SAIL (Burlington)And other local outdoor retailers while supplies last.

Edition 29 – our commemorative 50th Anniversaryedition – will be available early 2017. This collectors'item will be worth the wait!

downloadable Bruce Trail Reference MapsIndividual maps $3.00Full Set of 42 maps in single download package - Members $21.95, Non-Members $26.95. See brucetrail.org for details.

NEwNEw

kNOw yOuR BLAzES ShIRT This long-sleeved wickingshirt features a “KnowYour Blazes” graphic onthe back and a BTC logoon the front at the hem. unisex cut (S, M, L, XL, XXL)

Code Buwomen’s v-neck (S, M, L, XL)Code Bw $22.00

The Bruce Trail App FOR IOS OR ANdROId dEvICES

Plan, track, and log your hikes on Canada’soldest and longest marked footpath withthis easy-to-use, official Bruce Trail App. visit brucetrail.org for more details.


BTC General StoreC h E C k O u T O u R w I d E S E L E C T I O N O F p R O d u C T S

ONTARIO’S OLd-GROwTh FORESTS $40.00 Code OG

WWW. B R U C E T R A I L . O R G B R U C E T R A I L M A G A Z I N E 47WWW. B R U C E T R A I L . O R G B R U C E T R A I L M A G A Z I N E 47

ORDERED BY: SHIP TO:

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13% HSTall other products

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M A I L T O : B R U C E T R A I L C O N S E R VA N C Y, P. O . B O X 8 5 7 , H A M I LT O N , O N L 8 N 3 N 9Call Toll-Free: 1-800-665-4453 Email : info@brucetrai l .org www.brucetrai l .org

All books taxed at 5%. All other items taxed at 13% (HST).No tax on membership fees.

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CODE DESCRIPTION (Include size and colour) QUANTITY PRICE EACH TOTAL

Mailing Tube for posters add $ 3.00

PAYMENT:

Gift Membership $50.00

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membership in one

Bruce Trail Club.

Please specify:

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BTC General Store - ORDER FORM

F O R C h R I S T M A S d E L I v E R y O R d E R S M u S T B E R E C E I v E d B y d E C E M B E R 9 T h

Our committed donors can celebrate another success with the preservationand permanent protection of the Otter Lake Nature Reserve.

These 262 acres are critical habitat for an astounding array of plant, bird and animal life. The large wetland will now

remain intact – working as a natural water filter. Conserving the Otter Lake Nature Reserve has created a large tract

of protected natural area – a tract that is necessary to encourage natural and safe species passage.

Thank you to all our supporters for ensuring this natural gem is forever protected.

The Otter Lake Nature Reserve can be explored via the Otter Lake Side Trail, Map 29 (28th Edition Bruce Trail Reference).

Some of the Species that call the Otter Lake Nature Reserve home:

American Black Bear • Amer ican Kestrel • Amer ican Mink • Bald Eagle • Bobol ink • Cal ico Pennant

Common Loon • Eastern Meadowlark • Grasshopper Spar row • Great B lue Heron • Green Frog

Marsh Wren • Massasauga Ratt lesnake • Snapping Tur t le • Amer ican Bittern • Eastern Mi lksnake

Viceroy • Spotted Sandpiper • Yellow-rumped Warbler • White Admiral • Wood Frog • Sandhil l Crane

Monarch • Mid land Pa inted Tur t le • Green Heron • B lack- throated Green Warbler • B lack Ash

Sugar Maple • Ba lsam Fi r • B lack Snake - root • Bog Buckbean • White Tr i l l ium • B lue Cohosh

Br i s t ly B lack Cur rant • Flat - top White Aster • Gray Goldenrod • Hooded Skul lcap

Large Yel low Lady's-s l ipper • Marsh St . John’s-wor t • Nor thern Hol ly- fern • Round-leaved Ragwor t

Photo: Bria

n Po

pelier

Otter Lake Nature Reserve

9th Annual Winter Quiz

Documents

Transcript of 9th Annual Winter Quiz