Paradise in Our Backyard

It warms my heart when I see people interested and actively playing a role in local environmental issues. As is often said, "If it's to be, it's up to me." As a result of this belief, the work of local grassroots organizations often play a pivotal role in driving change and creating awareness. Fortunately for us, we have quite a number of these types of dedicated organizations within our community.

Last night I attended Paradise in Our Backyard, an evening of speakers at St James Anglican Church in Dundas. This event was hosted by the Eco-Churches of West Hamilton which is made up of participating members of 6 area churches, 5 located in Dundas and 1 in West Hamilton. I learned that this group had been formed in 2009 and in that time had been committed to learning and sharing ecological activities and environmental sustainability practices with their respective communities.

With extra chairs needed, last nights talk was greeted by a full house of interested and engaged members of the community eager to listen and learn. Here is just a quick overview:

The first speaker, Alan Hansell of Stewards of Cootes Watershed told a fascinating tale of his groups accomplishments and commitment to get the entire Cootes Watershed area clean and then keep it clean. Some of his stats were hard to fathom, particularly that since 2012, his team of dedicated volunteers have removed 194,827 lbs. of debris from the streams and wetlands that feed this incredibly important area. The Cootes Paradise  watershed supports the ecosystems of at least 9 U.S. states and 5 Canadian provinces as a part of their bird migratory pathways. The efforts that have been taking place here are making a significant difference and the results are measurable based on the growing  populations of various species of birds, fish and animals. Please visit at
www.stewardsofcootes.ca for more information and volunteer opportunities.

Second up was Paul Haskins from the group Burlington Green. He told his personal story of experiencing his home and property being devastated by a flash flood, handling the aftermath  as well as providing tips for managing insurance and mitigating risk. This was a topic that created a lot of interest among the homeowners in the audience as this is a fear that many of us have. Some great information was provided. For more information, please visit them at www.burlingtongreen.org

The final speaker was Leanne Collett who is a Watershed Stewardship Technician with the Hamilton Conservation Authority. Her talk on managing rainwater focused on strategies that both businesses and homeowners can employ to better manage rainwater on their properties. The concept of rain gardens was a fascinating one and I 'm sure something we will hear more of going forward. Many of the strategies shared, from diverting downspouts to utilizing rain barrels are relatively simple to put into practice and these as well as additional ideas can be found by visiting www.hamiltonstewardship.ca

An interesting thought and something we don't often pause to consider is this: All storm sewers are pipes that lead directly into streams and ultimately into the watershed. It is important that we remain vigilant and that each of us act as stewards of our environment.

Lots of questions and dialogue followed the presentations and it was great to witness the high level of interest and engagement.
All of these groups are worthy of our support and our thanks for making the world in which we live, a better place to be. I look forward to learning more about these groups and their activities and sharing them with you.

Getting Clear on an Overcast Day

There is just something about the beach, some sort of unexplainable connection that I love. I don’t know if it is the water, the rhythm of the waves or the open space but it draws us, and holds us there as though hypnotized.

Being the only person there, a lone soul on a deserted shore, just intensifies those feelings and that sense of connection.

This morning I walked the beach alone, a light drizzle falling. This beautiful section of Burlington, Ontario's South Beach is gorgeous and has become a recent favorite of mine. The only sound competing with the waves was a few seagulls going about their business. I followed a group of nervous sandpipers, lost in my thoughts, the rainy surroundings invoking in me a very weird and difficult to explain sense of both melancholy and joy.

It definitely feels like fall today, I thought and with that, the fading of yet another summer that has gone by much too quickly. Is this the way it’s meant to be? The perception at least, that time speeds up as we age, that our youth is replaced by responsibilities and commitments and sunrises become a luxury to be enjoyed only sporadically?

Heading further up the beach, I came across two older gentleman, clad in shiny black wetsuits, returning to shore from an open water swim. An admirable pursuit, I thought and maybe a way to hang on to summer as well as to vitality just a little bit longer.

I turned back and started walking in the direction from where I came. I noticed my footprints in the sand, the only ones on the beach. An interesting metaphor I thought. Life, a journey, spent interacting and intertwined with others, but ultimately travelled alone. Perhaps this was the source of my mixed emotion, each step representing an exciting step forward but also one less step to look forward to.

I veered away from the beach, but paused to look back one more time. Soon my footsteps would be washed away by the rain and the water, all signs of my visit erased.

Maybe this is also a part of our connection to the water, I thought. Clarity and a cleansing of the mind. Feeling now more joy than melancholy, I walked away, perhaps a little wiser, and I smiled.

Winter in Lasalle Park

“I believe the world is incomprehensibly beautiful — an endless prospect of magic and wonder.” - Ansel Adams

Walking the quiet trails of Lasalle Park in Burlington this morning, I was struck by the simple beauty of the woods and of the waterfront area. A layer of fresh snow blanketed everything in white and the air felt crisp and clean.

Approaching the shoreline, the call of waterfowl became increasingly louder. Like a squadron of jet fighters returning from a mission, scores of swans and geese glide in precise formation into the area, joining their noisy comrades on the frozen lake.

It was neat to get off the trail and walk on the lake, a rare and unfamiliar perspective of the shoreline making my visit to a familiar destination new again.

The waterfowl called out warnings as I approached them but with patience, I was able to get very close. I stayed and enjoyed their company but eventually retreated when a large swan decided that I had overstayed my welcome.

A beautiful park made that much more striking with the impact of a fresh snowfall, I look forward to returning again soon to enjoy more magic and wonder.

Exploring Carroll's Bay

I spent time this weekend paddling through sleepy little coves. I saw dozens of turtles sunning themselves on logs and watched countless fish jumping in the calm water.

Regal looking Osprey watched me from their lofty perches and on a couple of occasions, flew past me with fish wriggling in their razor sharp talons.

Great Blue Herons stood as silent sentries along the shoreline or flew lazily overhead while everywhere around me, ducks, geese and swans went about their business seemingly oblivious to my intrusion.

 

What may be surprising to some is that in spite of being surrounded by all of this natural wonder, I hadn't even left the city and in fact was only minutes away from downtown Hamilton.

 

Carroll's Bay is located on the northwest side of Hamilton Harbour at the mouth of Grindstone Creek. The protection and oversight of this area is provided by the Royal Botanical Gardens. Their restorative efforts have been ambitious and have had an immensely positive impact on the return of Bald Eagles to this area as well as on the protection and sustainment of many other endangered and at risk species.

There is something magical about silently paddling into a protected cove on a calm foggy morning and discovering a couple of sailboats anchored there. Somehow it evokes a simpler time, a time of slower travel and lazier summers.

 

Pushing through, a large group of cormorants glared disapprovingly at me, vulture-like from atop their treetop perch. I left the water, tired and happy from a great work out and with the feeling that I had discovered yet another great local destination in the Hamilton area.

A special thank you to photographer Bryon O'Neill, who I had the privilege of meeting at Carroll's Bay. Please see more of his work at www.flickr.com/bryononeill
His photos shown above are used with permission.