Past President Brenda Kell-Kotwa welcomed 21 Lincoln Rotarians + Visiting Rotarian Sue Miszturak (former RCL member and now a RC Goderich member) + special guests, Brian Green & Tessa Anderson. She called on Pod #5 member, John Kralt, to open the meeting.
Following the Land Acknowledgment, John's Thought for the Day featured his inspiration for everyone who participated in the CNOY 2024 walk. There were 84 clubs participating in this Canada-wide event. In total they raised $221,000. Among these, Lincoln Rotary placed fifth with $7,320 raised. WELL DONE!
For her Point of Pride (POP), Anna Murre picked up on RCL's CNOY 2024 success. She spoke of how proud she is of how integral Lincoln Rotary is to community organizations & events. In her meanderings as a Town of Lincoln Council representative, she experiences firsthand the impact of RCL's support. In addition to CNOY West Niagara, she attended a recent Lincoln Chamber Business After Five event at West Niagara Secondary School where she learned about how valued our club's involvement is with students and staff through the Interact Club.
HAPPY BUCKS
HUGE HAPPINESS & APPRECIATION for the success of RCL’s team at CNOY West Niagara 2024
Paul, Gayle, Anna & John M for sunshine
Dale for his opportunity to encourage his sister-in-law to join Rotary in Huntsville, her hometown
Sue F, Alice & Margaret for their upcoming trip to Guatemala
Sue M for her new home in Ripley, ON where she has quickly found herself active in EVERYTHING - Horticultural Society, Fall Fair, The Legion & ROTARY
Nancy for RCL representation going to Guatemala
Bill for his granddaughter’s success in a recent ski race in Collingwood. She came 15th out of 51 competitors
Phil to be heading to Jamaica next week
David for his new grand baby, Addison
Rob for a COVID-free household
Bob to welcome his friend, Brian Green, to the meeting
Brenda for a happy 40th wedding anniversary celebration with Terry and their family in Ottawa
Barb for the end of George’s radiation treatments just in time for his birthday on March 12
50/50 DRAW
John Maynard had the winning ticket but was unsuccessful in pulling the Ace of Spades:(
PROGRAM
12 Mile Creek Restoration Project
Trout Unlimited Canada, Niagara Chapter
Brian Green, Secretary
& Tessa Anderson
Environmental Stewardship Coordinator
Phil Goodwin extended a warm welcome to Brian, longstanding leader with Trout Unlimited TU) in Niagara, & Tessa, a recent Niagara College grad & the project lead for TU’s Twelve Mile Creek Aliens Are Invading program.
Brian began by explaining that Trout Unlimited Canada is a chapter-based registered charity with the MISSION…
To protect and restore Canada’s freshwater ecosystems and their coldwater resources for current and future generations. TU’s work is guided by science and research and fueled by the unending passion of our volunteers and professional staff.
Each chapter is responsible for a specific watershed. For the Niagara Chapter, it is Upper Twelve Mile Creek.
Using a very large topographical map of Niagara Region, Brian pointed out the course of the Twelve Mile Creek with its headwaters in Fonthill. The creek's lower reaches flow through urban areas of Thorold and St. Catharines and has been heavily altered by human activity for almost two centuries.
The Twelve Mile Creek is one of six sub-watersheds that drain into Lake Ontario. It is the Upper Twelve Mile Creek that has retained any significant degree of its natural state The upper creek branches out into dozens of small streams and drains flowing through Short Hills Provincial Park and St. John's Conservation Area, along with various natural, agricultural and lightly developed areas
In its stewardship of the creek, TU’s challenges are temperature, erosion & sediment. The water temperature must be <20 degrees Celsius to preserve the habitat for brook trout - the best indicator of a healthy cold water stream. While TU Niagara has many creek restoration initiatives in place, Aliens Are Invading, is critical in educating landowners adjacent to the creek and the public of the invasive species that have spread outside of their natural range to areas along the Twelve Mile Creek watershed, and are putting native fish, plants, animals and their habitats at risk.
Tessa followed Brian with a comprehensive overview of the Aliens Are Invading program, which is outlined in an attractive booklet she distributed to all in attendance. She explained that invasive species can cause irreparable damage by overtaking an area and push out the plants and animals that benefit us. The active participation of property owners, gardeners, and recreationalists is vital to prevent the spread of invasive species for the benefit of the ecosystems of tomorrow and our continued enjoyment of our natural resources.
How can we help?
IDENTIFY alien species on our property or on our nature walks
REPORT sightings using the free EDDMapS app on our phone
By reporting alien sightings, you will help create a living map of these invaders that will inform future removal projects. EDDMapS is a fast and easy way to map invasive species without any technical expertise. Simply download the app, take a picture with your device, note any important details, and submit!
Tessa & Brian concluded their presentation by thanking Lincoln Rotarians who have volunteered in some of TU’s community events to replant targeted areas near Short Hills Park with beneficial native species to help restore the ecological balance of the creek. In turn, Rotarians had many questions about other aspects of TU Niagara’s stewardship, which resulted in a most interesting and informative dialogue with our guest speakers.
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How can we help?
