Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Helmets not top of mind: Poll

"In 2007 more than 1,000 children younger than 15 were injured while riding a bike, and 80 of those cases were head injuries, according to Transport Canada.

'Four out of five of those could have been prevented if the kids had been wearing helmets,' said Pamela Fuselli, of Safe Kids Canada.

Fuselli recommended that all provinces enact bicycle helmet legislation. So far, B.C., Alberta, Ontario and New Brunswick have legislation making bike helmets mandatory for children under 18. Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia have both enacted all-age helmet legislation. Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador and the Territories have no helmet legislation."

Huron-Kinloss recreation embarking on new trail project - The Kincardine News - Ontario, CA

"Huron-Kinloss Twp. Facilities and Recreation Department is embarking upon a project to create a Parks and Trails Master Plan.

A public open house was held on May 27 at the township council chambers in Ripley to allow municipal residents to comment on the plan. The focus of the plan is to link existing trail systems with the municipal park systems.


Township Facilities and Recreation Department Director Mike Fair said last month the municipality sent out 2,300 questionnaires regarding trails in the municipality and less than 80 were returned."

Lake Ontario Waterkeeper

"It’s only the beginning of June, but people are already wondering where the rain went.

But officials with Lower Trent Conservation (LTC) and Environment Canada say don’t hit the panic button just yet.

Spokeswoman Marilyn Bucholtz said while water levels throughout the watershed are low, it hasn’t reached the point where the LTC is considering enacting the low water response program.

The LTC, said Bucholtz, has not received any reports or calls from residents of private wells drying up.
“But that doesn’t mean there aren’t wells that may be at critical levels,” she said.

Still, statistics gathered by the LTC show that, over the last three months, the watershed received only 41 per cent of average rainfall."

C.U.R.B. Clean Up Rural Beaches Program Pamphlet

"Clean rural beaches play an important role in healthy and thriving communities across Ontario. They offer recreational and leisure opportunities to residents of Ontario and out of province visitors. Use of Ontario's bathing beaches contribute an estimated $800 million annually to the provincial economy."

Greenbelt grievances

"Behind one of the barns on Eliane Michele Crematy’s farm on Ramsayville Road is the rusted carcass of a Ford truck.

The windows are smashed, the vinyl seats are slashed and the white paint has turned grey with time. A Manitoba maple tree and other weeds threaten to swallow the truck whole with their foliage.

This isn’t Crematy’s truck, but it’s been there since the day she moved onto the farm almost two years ago.

She has asked the National Capital Commission — her landlord — to remove the truck, yet here it remains."

thegreenjournal.ca | Ontario Nature’s First Annual Youth Summit for Biodiversity with Guest Speaker Dr. Roberta Bondar June 4-6, 2010

"Ontario Nature’s First Annual Youth Summit for Biodiversity with Guest Speaker Dr. Roberta Bondar June 4-6, 2010: "Ontario Nature's First Annual Youth Summit for Biodiversity with Guest Speaker Dr. Roberta Bondar June 4-6, 2010 Schomberg, Ontario - Celebrate the rich diversity of all the life forms on our planet at Ontario Nature's first annual Youth Summit for Biodiversity - a unique 3-day event taking place at Camp Cedar Glen."

Provincial Parks & Conservation - Gone Outside- The Canadian Outdoor Tourism Network

"Provincial Parks and Conservation Areas in Ontario offer many kinds of outdoor activities, wilderness and nature viewing opportunities to enjoy all year long.

There may be various types of accommodation choices depending on the Provincial Park. Some accommodation experiences may include tent camping, cabin stays or yurt camping throughout the changing seasons in the year. Campsites may have electrical access or non-electric availabliity."

Fire Crews Continue To Battle Wawa Fire 18 - Photos and Video

"Wawa fire #18 is located approximately 30 km east of the town of Hawk Junction and 8 km east of the Potholes Conservation Reserve. The fire was reported Thursday, May 27, and has grown to an estimated 2300 hectares approximately 40 kilometres east of Wawa near the junction of Highway 101 and 651"

Sunnyside Beach to Ontario Place & back - CANOES - Toronto Kayak & Canoe Rentals & Guided Tours (Toronto, ON) - Meetup.com

"Join us to paddle from Sunnyside Beach into Ontario Place and back.

This rsvp is for the use of a canoe, if you wish to rent a Kayak then go to the canoe booking under the same date on the calendar.

RSVP now before all the boats are taken"

Smoke - Air Quality Warning in Effect - News - Seaway News

"It's not just any regular smog you see and smell outside today. It is smoke coming from massive forest fires in central and northern Quebec and the wind is blowing it in our direction. CTV Montreal confirmed the thick haze of smoke hanging over numerous Quebec cities and Cornwall has lead Canadian health and environment officials to declare a smog warning."

Journey of the Voyageur: 3-Day Algonquin Park Canoe Trip � Parks Blog

"The journey moves through the northwest of Algonquin Provincial Park and is ideal for those looking for wildlife, stunning lakes and tasty meals cooked over an open fire. The pace is relaxed which makes this canoe trip suitable for all abilities and experience levels. If you’re lucky, you might catch sight of a large moose or hear a pack of wolves."

Toronto’s Bike Plan Switches Gears | Biking Toronto

"It's about the new emphasis from Toronto cycling staff on quality rather than quantity. 2010 is seeing an emphasis on improving downtown bicycle infrastructure – partly due to that’s where most cyclists are"

Cycle Toronto: Toronto Bike Month! (and more)

"True, biking is great all year round, but it is nice to have a month to promote cycling in the city."

Sunday, May 30, 2010

Ready to hit the forest trails - Brockville Recorder and Times - Ontario, CA

"Riding through a forest as fast as you can is becoming a very popular activity for elementary and high school students in eastern Ontario at this time of year.

Next Friday the woods of Limerick Forest, north of Roebuck, will be alive with the hum of mountain bike tires and cheers of fans as the sixth annual event is staged.

Race organizer Peter Meier won't know the exact number of entries until race day on May 28 but expects it will be more than any other year in the past."

Trail Ride For Breast Cancer Sat July 17th - EMG Equestrian Community

"Trail Ride in the Palgrave Forest, approx 2 1/2 hour ride. Cost of ride $25.00 (receipt issued for charitable donation). Barbeque afterwards. 100% proceeds go to Breast Cancer. There will be door prizes, 50/50 draw as well. Forms are now ready, can be emailed, faxed, mailed,or dropped off. I am working on overnite accommodations for both horse(s) and rider(s), as well as trailering for those who need it. Ride to start 9:00 am, finsh depends on number of riders. Please email rebel1312@bell.net or call 416 407-6695. Also looking for volunteers."

timestranscript.com - Camping is tops for physical activity and interaction with nature - Breaking News, New Brunswick, Canada

"According to the 2009 Active Healthy Kids Canada report card, Canadian children and youth received a failing grade for physical activity levels. With kids spending as much as six hours a day online, playing video games and watching television, parents should be making a conscious effort to get themselves and their children outside to increase their levels of physical activity.

A family camping trip is a great way to not only be active with fun activities like hiking, canoeing and swimming but it is also a way to address the nature deficient behaviours that urban children in particular experience when they do not have opportunities to connect with our natural environment," says Dr. Mark Tremblay, director of healthy active living and obesity research at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario and chief scientific officer of Active Healthy Kids Canada. That's a real shame in a country like Canada that prides itself on its access to the world's biggest and most interesting playground - nature."

AMO | AMO Supports Ontario's Promotion of Wise Water Use

"The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) supports the Ontario Government’s desire to promote wise water use and conservation through new technology.

“Wise water use better protects our environment and extends the lifespan of existing water and wastewater treatment infrastructure,” said Peter Hume, President of AMO. “AMO will work with the Ontario government to ensure that the legislation is both practical and successful. Ontario communities are blessed with some of the greatest water resources in the world and we have much to gain from becoming leaders in wise water use.”"

EXPLORING OUR WATERSHEDS | News Releases | Ontario Nature

"Celebrate the International Year of Biodiversity 2010, connect with like minded individuals in the conservation community and enjoy the beauty of Lambton’s World Class Natural Areas in Carolinian Canada – a 3-day event not to be missed!

In this International Year of Biodiversity, local naturalist groups, Sarnia Urban Wildlife Committee, Lambton Wildlife Incorporated, Sydenham Field Naturalists and Friends of Pinery Park, are joining forces with Carolinian Canada Coalition and Ontario Nature, to showcase the rich diversity of Carolinian Canada's coasts and Lambton County's watersheds, through a variety of presentations, workshops, field trips, and a special evening cruise on the St. Clair River aboard the Duc D’Orleans II."

Driver charged in Hawk Junction ATV rollover - The Sault Star - Ontario, CA

"A Hawk Junction ATV driver faces impaired driving charges after a single-vehicle rollover Thursday.
The collision occurred on the Forge Road, about 20 kilometres north of Haw Junction.

Ontario Provincial Police say the driver sustained minor injuries when he lost control, rolling the ATV.

Wayne Ruff, 52, of Hawk Junction, was charged with impaired operation of a motorvehicle, over 80 milligrams blood/alcohol content. He will appear in Wawa court on July 5."

ATVs destroy trail at marsh - Owen Sound Sun Times - Ontario, CA

"Editor:

I was recently hiking along the Bruce Trail where it crosses Bognor Marsh and was dismayed to see the devastation caused by ATVs along the north side of the marsh.

This whole stretch of footpath is now a disaster for walking with huge ruts and long stretches of mud and puddles.

Do these ATV machines have any merit whatsoever?

Bob Watson Owen Sound"