Glenorchy is under threat and YOU can help save it!

Plans by Halton Region to extend Burnhamthorpe Road puts significant areas of Glenorchy Conservation Area and the surrounding Areas of Natural and Scientic Interest (ANSI) at risk. It's time to step up and let local politicians know this is NOT acceptable. Speak up and tell your representatives that you care about this issue. Let's make a difference! Keep it Wild!

Here is a sample letter you may choose to use by copying and pasting into an email. Be sure to fill in your name when sending it out:

Hello,

I'm writing today to express my concerns and objections about the plans to extend Burnhamthorpe Road through Glenorchy Conservation Area and the surrounding ANSI (Area of Natural and Scientific Interest). After all the recent celebrations about securing this new green space, it is disheartening to hear that Region staff intend to allow a road to dissect numerous high impact areas and species at risk.

Glenorchy has been declared a Conservation Area and is in an Area of Natural and Scientific Interest (ANSI). Putting in a road sends the wrong message- that people and cars come before nature, that it's okay to carve up sensitive green space and it discourages the use of public transportation. Allowing the building of this road will set a bad precedent and will permanently impact the largest remnants of interior forest and contribute to further habitat fragmentation in the surrounding ANSI.

I hope you will consider these points when it comes to the decision making process.

Sincerely,
(Your name here)


Here is a list of local politicians you can send your email to:

Regional Chair: Gary Carr
E-mail: gary.carr@halton.ca
Bus: 905-825-6115


Oakville
Mayor Rob Burton: oakvillemayor@gmail.com

Ward 1 Regional & Town Councillor Alan Johnston
e-mail: ajohnston@oakville.ca
905-825-9587

Ward 1 Town Councillor Ralph Robinson
e-mail: rrobinson@oakville.ca
tel:905-845-6601, ext. 3700

Ward 2 Regional & Town Councillor Fred Oliver
e-mail: foliver@oakville.ca
tel: 905-849-5669

Ward 2 Town Councillor Cathy Duddeck
e-mail: cduddeck@oakville.ca
tel: 905-845-8374

Ward 3 Regional & Town Councillor Keith Bird
e-mail: kbird@oakville.ca
tel: 905-844-5571

Ward 3 Town Councillor Mary Chapin
email: mchapin@oakville.ca
tel: 905-845-6601 ext. 6008

Ward 4 Regional & Town Councillor Allan Elgar
email: aelgar@oakville.ca
tel: 905-827-6056

Ward 4 Town Councillor Roger Lapworth
e-mail: rlapworth@oakville.ca
tel: 289-837-1346

Ward 5 Regional & Town Councillor Jeff Knoll
e-mail: jknoll@oakville.ca
tel: 905-815-6000

Ward 5 Town Councillor Marc Grant
e-mail: mgrant@oakville.ca
tel: 905-815-6001

Ward 6 Regional & Town Councillor Tom Adams
e-mail: tadams@oakville.ca
tel: 905-849-7915

Ward 6 Town Councillor Max Khan
e-mail: mkhan@oakville.ca
tel: 905-845-6601


Milton
Mayor Gord Krantz: gord.krantz@milton.ca

Local & Regional Councillor Barry Lee Wards 1 and 3
Email: barry@barrylee.ca
Home: 519-824-0679/(For 905 constituents please call 1-888-317-2292)

Local & Regional Councillor Colin Best Wards 2 and 4
Email: colin.best@milton.ca
Home: 905-878-3623

Local Councillor Richard DayWard 1
Email: rick@daylaw.ca
Home: 905-878-3953/Bus: 905-844-8581

Local Councillor Brian Penman Ward 1
Email: BrianPenman@hotmail.com
Home: 905-878-9529

Local Councillor Mike Boughton Ward 2
Email: mikeboughton@sympatico.ca
Cell: 905-691-1990

Local Councillor - Greg Nelson Ward 2
Email: greg.nelson@milton.ca
Phone: 905-864-9860

Local Councillor Cindy Lunau Ward 3
Email: cindy.lunau@milton.ca
Home: 519-853-3772

Local Councillor Jan Mowbray Ward 3
Email: jan@janmowbray.ca
Home: 519-853-4492

Local Councillor Wendy Schau Ward 4
Email: wendy.schau@milton.ca
Home: 905-878-3216

Local Councillor Paul Scherer Ward 4
Email: paul.scherer@milton.ca
Home: 905-876-2214/Cell: 905-691-4288


Provincial Representatives:
Kevin Flynn- MPP
Email: kflynn.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org
Tel: 905-827-5141

Ted Chudleigh- MPP
info@tedchudleigh.com
(905) 691-2222

FOG Upcoming Events

Wild Flower Walk- Thursday, April 29th at 10 a.m. The focus of this walk will be to view Virgina Bluebells. Please meet at the Sky Valley Crescent Parking Lot. Email FriendsofGlenorchy(at)gmail.com for more information. The walk will be cancelled in the event of rain.

Garlic Mustard Pull- Saturday, May 8th - 9 a.m.-noon. Exact location TBA.





.

Garlic Mustard Invasion

(Above image from http://ontariowildflowers.com/mondaygarden/article.php?id=54)


While participating in the Earth Day clean-up of Glenorchy, volunteers were dismayed to find Garlic Mustard has invaded the area. These two pictures are just a small portion of the problem.





Garlic Mustard is considered a "Problem Weed" by the Ontario Government (http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/hort/news/hortmatt/2005/10hrt05a4.htm)




Garlic Mustard was introduced by early pioneers and has now spiralled out of control. It is also known by the following names: "Alliaria petiolata, hedge garlic, sauce-alone, jack-by-the-hedge, poor man's mustard, jack-in-the-bush, garlic root, garlicwort, mustard root."

Here's the description from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs:

"First-year rosettes with kidney-shaped green leaves with scalloped edges grow close to the ground. The flower stalks grow 2 to 3-1/2 feet tall with clusters of small white flowers, with four petals in the shape of a cross. Seeds are produced in erect, slender, four-sided pods, called siliques, beginning in May. Siliques become tan and papery as they mature and contain shiny black seeds in a row. By late June, most of the leaves have faded away and garlic mustard plants can be recognized only by the dead stalks with pale brown seedpods that may remain and hold viable seed through the summer."

Why is this such a problem? Garlic Mustard competes with native species; "like spring beauty, wild ginger, bloodroot, Dutchman's breeches, hepatica, toothworts, and trilliums, stealing light, moisture, nutrients, soil and space. Wildlife and insects that depend on these early plants for food soon disappear."

Dealing with and disposing of Garlic Mustard is no easy task. When pulling it, the roots should be removed. With so many seeds, it's important to carefully dispose of the weeds in a black garbage bag. DO NOT put plants in the compost bin or leave them lying out as the seeds remain viable. The garbage bags should be left in the sun for up to six months to fully eliminate further germination of the seeds.

More information from http://ontariowildflowers.com/mondaygarden/article.php?id=54:


"Garlic mustard has infested 29 states and southern Ontario. It does it by soaking up the rays all winter while the competition is dormant under ground. It stays low (as pictured) through its first winter, taking advantage of the insulating snow, warmth of the earth, and winter sun. Then it shoots up 2’ to 3’, with clusters with white or pink cross-shaped flowers in May. By July, it’s gone, leaving only the upright, banana-shaped seed pods characteristic of the mustard family."

"Curiously, the experts aren’t sure how garlic mustard spreads. They know you can’t blame it on the birds or the wind. While the plant makes thousands of seeds that remain viable for years, they fall close to the parent. The white-tailed deer helps by clearing ground that garlic mustard then can take over. But how does it move from site to site? Best guess is animal traffic."

and here is further information from the Ontario Wildflowers site:

"Getting rid of it: There are similar-flowered native plants, so first check a crushed leaf for the garlicky smell. Then pull it up, making sure to get all of the root, or keep it cut to the ground so it can’t flower. Herbicides and fire are also used (this is a cure?). Whatever, keep it up for at least five years. Meanwhile don’t put the roots or seeds in the compost or garbage; place them in a black plastic bag in the sun for several months to sterilize. (Since this it what it takes to kill the stuff, you can see why garlic mustard is winning)."


Halton Conservation has been contacted in order to determine what (if any) plans they have to deal with the issue of Garlic Mustard in Glenorchy. Updates will be posted.








.

Glenorchy Clean-Up

(Trillium)

A small group of very determined individuals spent the afternoon working hard in Glenorchy. We picked up countless broken bottles, old tin cans, plastic bottles, styrofoam, golf balls, plastic bags and many other pieces of waste.






Surprisingly enough, as we were walking with full garbage bags, a kayaker passed us and said "I hope you're not picking up junk."

"Why not?" we asked.

"Because there's too much of it. You'll need a dumptruck to get rid of it all."

This reaction to our clean up efforts was a bit surprising- what kind of mindset is it to decide that if it's going to be a big job, why bother? Especially coming from someone who is outside, presumably enjoying the area. Our response was "We have to start somewhere" and so we carried on. I'm proud of what we accomplished today!


(Spring Beauty)

Spending so much time in the valley allowed us to observe many species of native flowers and wildlife.


(We saw this butterfly sunning itself. Identified as a Compton Tortoiseshell Butterfly and considered Uncommon)


(Above: Coltsfoot photo credit: Brittney M)




(Above: Tentatively ID'd as Heal-all- please feel free to add a comment if you are able to confirm or clarify this. Photo credit: Brittney M)


(Above: Cut-leaved Toothwort)


(taking a break)


Aside from previously listed concerns (ATV tracks, human disregard for the area etc) there is a major threat to the area- an almost overwhelming infestation of garlic mustard in the area. We will address this issue in another post, but it is worth mentioning at this time.









.

Glenorchy Clean-up: Saturday, April 24th

Some members of FOG will be participating in an Earth Day clean-up in the Glenorchy area on Saturday, April 24th, starting at 1 p.m.

It would be a good idea to wear gloves, a long-sleeved shirt, a hat and (preferably waterproof) boots. We will be working in the area that is accessible from the end of Fourth Line (south of Lower Base Line). Please bring garbage bags.

Email FriendsofGlenorchy(at)gmail.com if you would like to participate.

Let's keep it clean for these residents of Glenorchy:












.

FOG in the news

http://www.insidehalton.com/community/milton/article/802703

Tim Foran, CANADIAN CHAMPION STAFF Apr 20, 2010 - 11:05 AM

Group objects to James Snow Parkway extension

An Oakville environmental group is concerned about the Region’s planned extension of James Snow Parkway south from Milton to Oakville.

It’s also making a last ditch appeal to Halton regional council to abandon plans to extend and widen Burnhamthorpe Road across the Sixteen Mile Creek valley to connect Bronte Road to Neyagawa Boulevard.

Both proposed regional road projects would slice through the Glenorchy Conservation Area, noted a presentation made by Friends of Glenorchy member Diane Burton at council’s planning and public works committee Wednesday.

Halton regional council will be asked tomorrow to endorse the preferred route for a new $208 million north Oakville transportation corridor, essentially a realigned and extended Burnhamthorpe Road.

The road is designed to be a major artery serving future north Oakville development between Dundas Street and Hwy. 407, including the new Oakville hospital. However, the Friends of Glenorchy are concerned the new road will cut through recently protected natural lands.

A map included in Burton’s presentation also raised concern about the Region’s plans to extend James Snow Parkway from Milton to Hwy. 407, where it would meet Neyagawa Boulevard, but also cut through the northeast portion of Glenorchy.

“James Snow Parkway will impact interior forest, provincially rare habitat, species of special concern, (and) species that are rare in Halton region,” a comment on the map noted.

Milton Regional Councillor Colin Best said in an interview Friday the James Snow extension, a controlled access road, must go ahead for the good of all of Halton.

“If not, it will just jam up other roads in the area,” said Best. “The James Snow extension has been planned for almost 20 years. It is basically the last piece of the puzzle in terms of connecting Oakville and Milton because Trafalgar Road and Hwy. 25 were never built to handle this type of network. They basically have driveways going on it (them) and that’s part of the reason we have so many accidents on both roads.”

Best said there were no objections raised when Hwy. 407 and Upper Middle Road were both extended through the Sixteen Mile Creek valley. He said there were also no objections to the widening of the QEW bridge over the creek, currently under construction.

“I don’t see a problem if it’s done environmentally correctly,” he said.


Additional Comments by this blogger:

Please note that Glenorchy was only designated a Conservation Area in 2008. This new designation should offer protection to the area and the species at-risk who reside within it. Colin Best says these plans have been in the works for 20 years. but there have been many changes to people's thinking in the last 20 years. 20 years ago, McDonald's was still using styrofoam packaging, blue-bin recycling was still a relatively new program in Halton, the list of endangered and at-risk species has grown, and we now know that we must protect what little green space we have left.


Please email Colin Best at colin.best@milton.ca and tell him this archaic way of thinking does NOT reflect the new Halton; we value and want to protect the area, and alternative routes can be possible if we think outside the box.


Link to map of Glenorchy: http:///







.

Friends of Glenorchy- Keep it Wild!

Friends of Glenorchy is a grassroots community group dedicated to protecting nature. We have special concern for the area that includes the Glenorchy Conservation Area, the provincially-designated Sixteen Mile Creek Valley Area of Natural and Scientific Interest (ANSI) and surrounding areas of significant natural heritage. Our mission statement is "Keep it Wild", which we hope will reinforce the concept that nature should come first at Glenorchy. Founded in December 2009, members of FOG focus on ways to protect this sensitive green space that is home to native plants and animals.

Why do we perceive a need for a group dedicated to the protection of the area?

There are many threats to this area, including the following:

1) The proposed extension of Burnhamthorpe road. Currently the plans for this dissect through the heart of Glenorchy. This will disrupt the green space and cause permanent fragmentation and destruction of the area.

2) The Town of Oakville is proposing a new bridge at old Fourth Line. These new plans will be disruptive to the area for many reasons. They plan to leave the asphalt road and debris behind. The new bridge is very wide and will allow further ATV access to the area.

3) ATVs are destroying the natural area- tearing up the landscape, and ATV riders are taking down trees to clear the area for their own enjoyment. They are polluting the water and air, and interfering with ground nesting birds and animals. The recreational choices of a few should not take precedence over existing by-laws and interfere with the natural world's right to a peaceful existence.

4) The title to Glenorchy (GCA) land remains with the Ontario Realty Corporation (ORC). Conservation Halton has been granted management jurisdiction for 20 years. Is the ORC committed to the long-term conservation of nature?

5) Conservation Halton's plans for the area include considerable human intrusion, with plans to put in a parking lot and interpretive center. Our argument is that there are already many conservation areas with these faciilites. Some areas must be kept wild and act as a nature preserve. People do not need to be everywhere.

Want to get involved? Our email address is FriendsofGlenorchy(at) gmail.com

Key impending issues:

Speak up! Oppose new bridges over the creek valley by Region of Halton plans for the extenstion of both James Snow Parkway and Burnhamthorpe Road.

Lobby local MPPs:
Kevin Flynn (Oakville riding) kflynn.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org

Ted Chudleigh (Halton riding - includes Glenorchy C.A.)
ted@tedchudleigh.com

Contact Oakville Councillors:

Allan Elgar, Ward 4 Regional and Local Councillor
905-827-6056 416-709-0082 aelgar@oakville.ca

Roger Lapworth, Ward 4 Local Councillor
905-825-2211 416-894-3054 rlapworth@oakville.ca

Jeff Knoll, Regional and Local Councillor, Ward 5
905-815-6000 jknoll@oakville.ca

Marc Grant, Local Councillor Ward 5
905-815-6001 mgrant@oakville.ca

Milton: Colin Best Wards 2 and 4, Regional and Local Councillor
905-878-3623 colin.best@milton.ca