Environmental Awareness
Photo by Mike Baum
Adam Rosso
The KLCA has a lake plan committee, a water quality committee, fisheries committee and other groups who's efforts ensure that if Kawagama's biosphere changes we will be able to act in order to change activities and protect our lake for future generations.
Monitoring Kawagama's ecosystems are important, but the environment, in my mind, has a much broader scope.
It touches each and every one of us continually throughout our lives as we live, breathe and consume items produced by our earth in order to survive.
I figure my role as Director of the Environment is to help each KLCA member realize how their lives at the cottage impact the Environment.
I believe the best way to ensure the viability and vitality of Kawagama is through education and engagement of all KLCA members, especially our youth.
Loon Nests and Survey
We successfully built and launched three Loon nests last year. The KLCA would like to thank both marinas for the use of their front lawns for the nest construction.
The nests are 16 square feet in area and are constructed of white PVC piping. A green metal fence was strapped to the top of the raft. This provides a mesh so that bulrush, grass, and sticks could be weaved through and secured to the raft. Small ballast Javex bottles were attached to the bottom of the nests to provide additional buoyancy.
The nests are located in areas that are not frequently traveled, as to not impede boat traffic, but are impacted by both fluctuating water levels and predation. If you happen upon one of the nests please do not disturb or move the nests are they might be inhabited by the local Loons. If a nesting Loon is stressed by approaching humans they may abandon the nest.
If you are interested in building your own Loon nest and want instructions please contact Adam Rosso (adamKLCA@yahoo.ca) for information.
Check back here for a Bird Studies Canada (BSC) approved design -- coming soon!
Bird Studies Canada runs a Loon Nesting Monitoring program in order to measure nesting success. We have recently just identified 30 volunteers who will record Loon populations and successful nesting pairs and return the data to Bird Studies Canada this summer!
Astronomy
With the overwhelming interest in last year's Astronomy Night on Kawagama I decided to have two events this year with rain dates for each. Each night will take you on a tour of the constellations, planets, star clusters, nebula and galaxies!
Depending on the number of people that attend, we may even try a bit of astrophotography. Please bring your digital SLRs so that I can help show you how it's done.
Event at Mountain Trout House -- Sunday July 4th, 2010 with rain date on July 10th,2010
Event at Old Mill Marina -- Saturday August 7th, 2010 with rain date on August 14th, 2010
Each night will have at least one large telescope there. If you are an amateur astronomer and would like to be part of the KLCA's Astronomy Night on Kawagama, please email me at adamKLCA@yahoo.ca
Click here to review star charts and be sure you bring your own copy to help navigate the constellations:
The KLCA is planning a day canoe trip into a few of the lakes south of Kawagama. We are planning on starting at the boat launch located on the north end of Herb Lake. This is a beautiful little lake on the south side of Kawagama Lake Road South. The trip traverses Herb, Ernest, Gun, Raven and Deer lakes. A map of the route will be posted here before the date.
The guided trip will include a plant identification scavenger hunt, swim, relaxation activities and a break for lunch. All participants will need to bring their own canoe, PDF, and paddles. The date and time are set for August 14th, 2010 at 8:30 am. Rain date is scheduled for August 15th.
The trip will likely last between 4 to 6 hours and ends at Camp Dorset.
Registration will be required so please email adamKLCA@yahoo.ca to reserve a spot! More information will be posted on the website closer to the date.
