Author Archives: Graeme Roderick

The executive is happy to inform you that effective April 4  the Friends’ office  moved to high speed.  This will enable Jocelyne or any of us to receive calls from you while we are working online.  Too often  under dial-up service, members had to leave a message or to call again.

Our new e-mail addresses are: friendsgatineaupark@bellnet.ca or amisparcgatineau@bellnet.ca

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Your membership fees are at work

Would you like to participate in a customized program for your group? We can accomodate your interests with experience guides. Bring colleagues, employees, friends and also children to our ”outdoor classroom” activities.

Here are brief descriptions of a few of our activities:

SENSATIONAL ANIMALS: (5 to 7 years old) – presented in May & June

The children will experience and discover first-hand how the animals of the Park can see, smell, hear feel and taste for their survival. Continue reading →

Bernie Ladouceur, who has been the leader of the Friend’s Owl Prowl for the last six year, engaged thirty-six enthusiastic visitors and seven volunteers on distinguishing characteristics of local owls during the indoor portion of this event held at the Park’s Visitors Centre. The presentation included an AV presentation.   In the subsequent field trip, taken in a well-supervised convoy to three nearby locations, Bernie was successful in having a barred and a northern saw-whet owl return his calls.  Continue reading →

The recently published 2011-II issue of Amis/Friends calls on the reader to be exemplary stewards of the Park’s natural and constructed heritage – “yours to protect and to enjoy”.

François Chapleau concluded that biodiversity has been sacrificed to sport-fisherpersons during a presentation to the 2008 Friends’ Research Forum and in this discerning article.  In a study that spanned more than a dozen years, northern pike and small mouth bass – introduced fish eaters – had and continue to have an impact in some of the fifty lakes located in Gatineau Park.  Where introduced, there is a decrease, if not loss of other species. Continue reading →

Today we post the Donor list from 2000 to 2012.   We wish to thank all those who made a contribution in the past year as well as those who took out membership, as a portion of your fees is treated as a donation.  Donors can direct their donation for particular purposes such as Applied Research, Volunteer Enhancement or Education.  Continue reading →

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.