Friends of Gatineau Park

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 →

Our next Board meeting will be held on September 22, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. in the Lynx Room at the Visitor Centre in Chelsea.

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.

GREEN MAGIC: (8-9 years old) presented in May & June

The participants will discover the unique ways in which plants meet their needs for survival in the Park.

KING MOUNTAIN TRAIL HIKE: (for adults and children 10+) – prensented in May and June

Come and hike from a shady hemlock grove to the top of the Eardley Escarpment. You will watch the concept of biodiversity come alive!

For more information on these and other activities, please call  at 819-827-3113 and ask for Jocelyne

Our  Fundraising raffle has three prizes with a total value of $2600. The  draw will be held on November 19th, 2011 at 1:oo p.m. at Gatineau Park Visitor Centre, 33 Scott Road, Chelsea Qc.

Funds raised support applied research in the park.  Since its inception, over $14,000 has been awarded to researchers.

Our 2010 winners were:

• Beverley Hammond from Almonte, ON, winner of the kayak
• Suzanne Larose from Gatineau, Qc, winner of tent
• Richard Tarasofsky of Ottawa, winner of snowshoes

Our sponsors are:

• PADDLE SHACK   https://www.ottawapaddleshack.ca/ 
• Prize: Kayak
• CAMP DE BASE   http://www.campdebase.ca/
• Prize: Tent and accessories
• VÉLOS ROND POINTS http://www.velosdesrondspoints.com/
• Prize: Bicycle

You can buy  tickets: $2/ at the Visitor Centre, any day, from 9 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and come and see our prizes in person!  Please show your passion for our conservation park.

Our 7th Annual Research Forum this year will be held on Saturday, November 19th 2011.

Where: Lynx Room – Visitor Centre, 33 Scott Road, Chelsea, Qc

Captivating presentations are delivered in both French and English or in bilingual format. Questions and answers are in either official language.

We will soon have on our website the list of our presenters and on which subjects for that day.

Cost: Good-will offerings in support of research.

Also being held this day at noon is the drawing for our annual raffle prizes with a total value of $2600.  The raffle support research grants reported upon this day as well as published in our Bulletin – Amis/Friends.

Information and registration: 819-827-2020 (places are limited)