Do More on the Shore Ezine

An Ezine Produced by the Waterfront Regeneration Trust

The waterfront municipalities of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River, conservation authorities and community groups* MapArt* DunMap* Niagara Region Integrated Community Planning Department* MMM Group* Heart and Stroke Foundation* Mountain Equipment Co-op* Toronto Cyclists Union* Holcium (formerly St. Lawrence Cement)

Sept 2009

IN THIS ISSUE:

Registration is now open for the 3rd Annual GWTA 2010!
Sue Robinson Wins 2009 GWTA/Ducks Unlimited Photo Contest
Seven Wetland Wonders of the Waterfront Trail-list of wetlands to visit
Friends of Second Marsh welcome withdrawal of application for ethanol facility in Oshawa
Along the Waterfront Trail- Fall events
- Niagara Wine Festival
- Bird, Beavers and Butterflies Nature Festival, Thickson Woods, Whitby
- Bike for the Planet, Cobourg.
Other Great Trails of the World

Registration for the 3rd Annual GWTA 2010 is NOW OPEN!!!

Registration for 2010 is now online! With all of the fun and excitement of the 2nd Annual GWTA still lingering as the summer winds down, we are already looking ahead to year 3 and a whole new adventure. Once again there will be some new community overnights, route changes, and a ton of hospitality. To sign up for July 3rd to 10th, 2010 follow the link at: www.waterfronttrail.org/gwta_web

Resting up for year 3!!

Sue Robinson Wins GWTA 2009 Photo Contest Sponsored by Ducks Unlimited

This year Ducks Unlimited's participation in the GWTA drew attention to our beautiful coastal wetlands. As we prepared to set off from Fort George on July 3rd, Lynette Mader, Manager with DU set a context for our trip about the great work that has been done to protect and restore our coastal wetlands and the threat they face.

"Two thirds of the original Great Lakes coastal wetlands have been lost and the remaining wetlands are highly threatened by continued development pressure and regulated water levels. As a result, we are facing a serious population decline of many species of birds and amphibians. DU-Ontario is thrilled that The Great Waterfront Trail Adventure Tour is focused on coastal wetlands to help raise awareness and support for these vital habitats."

Congratulations to Sue Robinson for winning the Ducks Unlimited photo contest with her shot "Serenity". 150,000 Ducks Unlimited members nation-wide will get to enjoy your it in the next issue of DU's Conservator Magazine.

With more than 70 years of experience and 7,100 established habitat projects across the nation, DUC is Canada’s leading expert in wetland and waterfowl conservation. Visit www.ducks.ca to learn more about their work to conserve, restore and manage Canada’s wetlands for waterfowl, other wildlife and people.

Seven Wetland Wonders of the Waterfront Trail and Greenway

Check out any of these great wetlands along the Waterfront Trail and check out the DU website for more ideas.

Lynde Shores Conservation Area, Whitby Central Lake Ontario Conservation Office: 905-579-0411 www.cloca.com
Oshawa Second Marsh, Oshawa Friends of Second Marsh: 905-723-5047 http://secondmarsh.science.uoit.ca
Bowmanville/Westside Marshes - Bowmanville. Central Lake Ontario Conservation Office: 905-579-0411 www.cloca.com
Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area, Kingston Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority: 613-546-4228 www.cataraquiregion.on.ca
Upper Canada Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Morrisburg Upper Canada Migratory Bird Sanctuary: 613-543-3704 www.uppercanadabirdsanctuary.com
DuPont Provincial Park, Morrisburg 613-531-5722 www.ontarioparks.com
Charlottenburgh Park & Cooper Marsh - www.rrca.on.ca Cooper Marsh Conservation Area and Visitor's Centre: 613-347-1332

Friends of Second Marsh welcome withdrawal of application for ethanol facility in Oshawa

Friends of Second Marsh, the organization committed to the preservation and protection of the Second Marsh has been opposing FarmTech’s controversial proposal for an ethanol refinery on Oshawa’s waterfront. (Click here to download press release in pdf format)

FarmTech proposes to construct the large-scale refinery beside (and upwind) of the provincially significant Oshawa Second Marsh. An area of 372 ha of wetland and other ecologically significant habitats, Second Marsh is the largest such open space in the Greater Toronto Area. The withdrawal of Farmtech’s air emission application however, does not mean the proposal is dead. According to the article (check link below), FarmTech is withdrawing the application only to repackage it.

See for additional coverage http://newsdurhamregion.com/articlePrint/135453#

Events along the Waterfront Trail: September

Niagara Wine Festival
September 18-27, 2009
Enjoy more than 100 events including winery tours and tastings, concerts, Niagara cuisine, artisan shows, wine seminars, live entertainment and one of Canada's largest street parades during the 58th Niagara Wine Festival.
Last year the Niagara Wine Festival attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors to Niagara's wine country, making it the largest wine festival in the Country.

http://niagarawinefestival.com/
http://www.thestar.com/living/wine/article/688920
http://www.thestar.com/living/wine/article/688902

Birds, Beavers & Butterflies Nature Festival
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Thickson Woods Nature Reserve, located on Thickson Road in Whiby, south of the 401, beside the Waterfront Trail.

Fun for the whole family. Events include Muskoka Wildlife shows (10:00 and 2:00), Creepy Critters (12:00 - spiders and snakes), bird banding, insect ID, nature walks, bee keeping, magic show (11:00), face painting, nature box building and much more. Food can be purchased from Lick's. There is a bake sale and silent auction. All proceeds go to benefit the Thickson's Woods Nature Reserve. Admission is $5.00 per adult, $2.00 for children under 12 and a family rate of $10.00 (2 adults and unlimited children). This is a great opportunity to learn about nature, see wonderful shows and get out in the outdoors. Thickson Woods Nature Reserve is on Thickson Road in Whiby, south of the 401, beside the Waterfront Trail.

Bike for the Planet -- 9K Ride (Rain or Shine) in lovely Cobourg
Saturday, October 3rd, 10:00 AM
Start at Victoria Park, Cobourg (on the Waterfront Trail)
(Lions Pavilion)
www.gogreentogether.ca and www.sustainablecobourg.ca

Go Green Together and Sustainable Cobourg are inviting cyclists of all ages to ride together to promote cycling in Cobourg. The 9K ride around Cobourg will celebrate recent improvements and present ideas to further improve cycling safety and enjoyment in Cobourg.

Other (great) Trails of the World: Cycle Route Copenhagen-Berlin

Denmark is known throughout the world as one of the leaders in urban planning when it comes to cycling in the city of Copenhagen, but what some don’t know are the cycling connections outside of the city core. Depending on where you start, you can experience 630 km by bike and a short sea voyage across the Baltic; this recently created international connection is called the Copenhagen-Berlin cycle route, and as the name suggests, links the Danish and German capitals, three incredible regions and a ton of hospitality. For more information about the incredible sites, options, and countryside along the route follow the links below. If you are looking for a firsthand account of the ride with stunning photos and commentary than you can also follow along with the blog of Thomas Driemeyer who completed the ride this past May (Also below).

http://www.bitrot.de/bike_copenhagen.htmlformation
www.visiteastdenmark.com
http://www.bike-berlin-copenhagen.com/sprog_engelsk/engelsk.html

If you have any questions or would like to contribute to this Ezine, please contact Ian at:
il@wrtrust.com
416-943-8080
372 Richmond Street West, Suite 308
Toronto, Ontario
M5V 1X6

WARNING: The information and suggestions in this newsletter have been developed to assist Trail users in planning both their recreational and commuting trips along the Waterfront Trail. It mentions signed routes of the Trail, as well as possible routes and connections in areas where routes have not yet been designated as part of the Waterfront Trail. The possible routes and connections have been identified in consultation with the municipalities and Conservation Authorities of Lake Ontario and from Trail users. Some of these possible routes and connections may not be ideal for cycling, in-line skating, or hiking. They may be unsuitable for some Trail users because of the close proximity to vehicular traffic or unsuitable trail surface. Whenever possible, indicators have been placed on the maps to warn of caution areas. However, be prepared to make your own evaluation of traffic, trail and road conditions, and plan routes appropriate to your riding, in line skating, and hiking skills and your comfort level. This newsletter is not intended as a guide for children.