Author Archives: Graeme Roderick

Since January 10^th, Jocelyne Legros has joined the Friends of the Park’s  team.  She replaces Annette Vaillancourt as Office Assistant.

Jocelyne is retired from the Public Service where she has worked for many years in administration.  She will be working at the Office of the Friends of the Park two days a week on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

I am confident that her arrival will be an asset.  From all of us, I  welcome her into our team!   Graeme

Graeme

On January 20, Snowshoe under the Stars was lead by Jack Ricou and Catherine Dumouchel with the assistance of avid outdoorsman Allan Richens. Catherine and Jack’s career backgrounds are Ecology Interpretation & Conservation. They are the developers of the subject matter of this winter walk – Creatures of the night. They are also the developers of the Friends’ program: What to Do if You’re Lost in the Woods.

Twenty individuals or family members participated in the hour and a half snowshoe outing over hilly terrain near the Park Visitor Centre. Following this low-to-moderate exertion outing, participants enjoyed conversations about the wonders of the Park over hot chocolate and cookies in a fire-stove heated Sugar Shack near the parking lot of the Visitor Centre. Participants recalled their excitement over this opportunity to enjoy the forest on a crisp evening. 

Unless rescheduled, the Board of Directors meets from 7:00 to 9:00 pm the fourth Thursday of each month at the Visitors Centre. Check our e-calendar to confirm there has not been a change.

At the October 22 Volunteer Recognition and Annual  General  Meeting,  Friends’ interpreter Michelle Hegge spoke of the Summer 2011 Interpretive Programs  offered to Lac Philippe campers and visitors, in both French and English.  On a regular basis,  Conservation officer Marc Rousseau  offered his ever popular talk
on Gatineau Park’s black bear and local Search and Rescue team members offer well attended  Hug- a-Tree program which
teaches people of all ages what to do when lost in the woods.  As well, campers enthusiastically joined in our interactive (and very fun!) amphibian programs, learn about birds, beavers, or caves.  They tested  their knowledge at the Fact or Fiction game show , listened to nature legends and stories at campfires, and took part in a genuine scientific study of Parent Stream in the Adopt- a- River
program.  There was also a program on how to prepare for a successful outing in nature – along the way learning some cool
facts about Gatineau Park’s natural heritage.  In the International Year celebrating Our Forests, campers learned about the traditional (aboriginal) uses of our regions forests.

For the past seven years,  the Friends of Gatineau Park has offered research bursaries to young researchers interested in doing some research project in the Gatineau Park.  The funds for the bursaries come from the sell of raffle tickets.  The prizes of the raffle are donated by regional sponsors who  supports outdoor activities such as kayaking, camping and biking. Our sponsors this year are Paddle shack, Camp de base and Vélo des ronds points.  Tickets are still available either through the Friends of Gatineau Park or at the Visitor Center in Chelsea where you can see the prizes for this year. The draw will occur the day of the Forum, November 19.
Encourage young researchers and support the Friends of Gatineau Park by participating in the raffle.  If intested in purchasing 9 or more tickets, contact Graeme and he will make arrangements for you to do.  Good luck
to all.

The seventh annual research forum of the Friends of Gatineau Park is presented in collaboration with the National Capital Commission.  This year the forum, being held on November 19, is greeting 7  presenters: Isabelle Lavoie and Jean Faubert, the two recipients of a Cameron Purenne bursary granted by the Friends, Renée Bellehumeur and Catherine Verreault from the NCC Gatuneau Park) , Christopher Czerwinski and Murray Richardson from Carleton University, and Sofia Perin of University of Ottawa.

Participate with the researchers in the luncheon break.

Register by calling 819 827-2020 option 3.   Fee:  good-will offering in support of research

Saturday 9:30 am – 3:00 Lynx Room – Visitors Centre,  33 Scott Rd, Chelsea

Captivating presentations
delivered – French, English or bilingually.

Questions and answers are in either official language.

Topics include:

• Watersheds – M. Richardson, Carleton U.
• Water quality – I. Lavoie INRS
• Blue-green Algae – S. Perrin-U of Ottawa
• Forest changes – C. Czerwinski, Carleton U
• Ecological corridors – C. Verreault, Gatineau Park
• Bryophytes – J. Faubert, Flora Quebeca
• Visitors of the park – R. Bellehumeur, Gatineau Park

Lunch is included and will
feature discussions with researchers

Cost: Donation to cover meal & to support of Research
Information and Registration: 819 827-2020 option 3

APG-FGP’s Communications Committee reports that the 2009 digital frame at our locale in the Visitors Centre has been refurbished. Check it out when you are next visiting the Centre. Suggestions for further improvement are warmly recieved at amisparcgatineau@myexcel.ca.

 Last Saturday, The Friends of Gatineau Park were on the shores of Pink Lake to repair a segment of the trail that had been severely
damaged by the torrential rain last June.

 This was an initiative of the “Adopt-a-Trail” program, a program in Continue reading →

Welcome to the June 27^th launch of the second edition of our bilingual website (the French version of this post is in the works).  For ten years, the now retired site was overseen by volunteer Marc Gagnon, who permitted us to piggyback onto his own site: rezone.com.  Information posted there had been submitted by only a few people and then posted by him.  There were 46,000 visits to that site.  But it’s time to say good-bye.

Those working on this edition desired a site that could be a meaningful place to frequently visit, that could easily be kept current by many persons’ input, and whose design/format could be modified with little difficulty.  The crew toiling on revising the site acknowledge the volunteer contribution of Marc André Pelletier, who oversaw translation and Charles Hodgson, who has guided our efforts, and has permitted us to piggyback onto his site:guidegatineau.ca.   Many Nature and Heritage pictures have been borrowed.  As we acquire our own, these will be replaced.  If you participate in one of our activities and take pictures, please send along one or two to amisparcgatineau@myexcel.ca.  Ones
involving family and friends are preferred.

Leaders of various portfolios within the Friends’ organization will use this location to stay connected with you.   How you become aware of their posting remains to be resolved.  Leaders will also regularly post on the calendar.  For now, these will only be Friends’ activities.  A wider use is envisaged.  Please also note our new Paypal account.  Its initial use will be for payment of new and renewed membership.  Give a gift of a membership or recruit a friend and then try it out.

Your comments and ideas are welcome.  Please also direct them to Friendsgatineauparc@myexcel.ca .

Graeme Roderick, Communications Committee