Are you looking for alternatives to clear-cuts and plantations? Do you want other ideas on how to improve your woodland? This weekend’s walk at the Macphail Woods Ecological Forestry Project will help answer many of your questions. On Sunday, August 3, Gary Schneider will host a “Forest Restoration” slide show and walk on the grounds of the Sir Andrew Macphail Homestead in Orwell. Activities begin at 2pm in the Nature Centre.

On Saturday, August 2, you’re invited to a celebration of Kate Poole’s creativity at the Macphail Woods Nature Centre in Orwell. Kate is an outstanding talent and many of her paintings, woodwork and glass creations are at the Nature Centre, along with her planting endeavours throughout Macphail Woods. The event will run from 3pm to 9pm, and include lots of great food, children’s activities, nature walks and live music.

With all the woody plants leafing out and some still in bloom, the next workshop in the Macphail Woods Ecological Forestry Project’s 2008 series will be on identifying native trees and shrubs. On Saturday, July 26, forest technician Ruth Richman will provide an up-close look at our native woody plants.

The workshop begins at 10am, starting at the nursery, and will be of interest to anyone wanting to learn more about native plants, forest restoration, naturalization or improving wildlife habitat.

The Macphail Woods Ecological Forestry Project will be conducting a workshop on pruning trees and shrubs Sunday, July 13 at the Sir Andrew Macphail Homestead in Orwell. The workshop will be of interest to all those who work with woody plants. Proper pruning maintains and improves the health and value of plants, whether in a commercial forest, a watershed, a private woodlot or just around your home.

The Macphail Woods Ecological Forestry Project will be treating visitors to another walk on the wild side. This time it will be a look at some common and not-so-common medicinal plants that grow in Island fields, forests and homesteads, from St. John's wort and dandelion to comfrey and goldthread. Margie Loo, of Elderflower Organic Farm, will lead the tour that takes place at the Sir Andrew Macphail Homestead in Orwell on Sunday, June 29.

With many of our native wildflowers in full bloom and breeding birds in their most striking plumage, early June is a great time to take nature photographs. Beth Hoar, a photographer who operates Green Thumb Photo, will be sharing her talents and tips on Sunday, June 8 at the Macphail Woods Nature Centre in Orwell.

Just wanted to let you know that we are starting our school plantings again for the year, May 26th and 27th at West Royalty Elementary School. If you want to come out for even part of a day, they are great events and I think you'd enjoy yourself. Give me a call at 651-2575. Thanks, Gary

The public is invited to celebrate Arbour Day with a guided woodland walk at the Sir Andrew Macphail Homestead in Orwell. Arbour Day is an annual international event that recognizes the value of trees in both our urban and rural areas, and on Prince Edward Island is held on May 16. The walk, led by staff of the Macphail Woods Ecological Forestry Project, begins at 6pm and will focus on all things related to native trees and shrubs.

On April 22, celebrate Earth Day at Macphail Woods with an afternoon nature walk. We'll look at identifying trees and shrubs before they leaf out, spot the first migrating birds and see what else is waking up along the trails of Macphail Woods this spring. The walk will be a celebration of the beauty that is around us and starts at 2pm at the Nature Centre.

Sharing a Love of Nature at Macphail Woods

The Macphail Woods Ecological Forest Project is once again providing an opportunity for children to learn more about nature and have fun at the same time. The week-long "Sharing a Love of Nature" programs take place from 9am to 3pm at the Sir Andrew Macphail Homestead in Orwell. There are four programs over the summer:

July 7-11: ages 6-8
July 21-25: ages 8-10
August 4-8: ages 10-12
August 18-22: ages 6-12

Cost for the week is $50. To register or for more information, please call Eric at 651-2575.

Come celebrate the wonderful world of owls at the Sir Andrew Macphail Homestead in Orwell on Saturday, April 19. The Sir Andrew Macphail Foundation will be opening up the Great Room of the Homestead at 6:00pm and serve warm apple cider, tea and coffee. Visitors can warm themselves by the fireplace and have a specially-baked Owl Cookie treat to commemorate the event. There will be no cost but donations to the Foundation will be gratefully accepted.

Workshop on Invasive Species
Saturday, March 15th, 9:00am till Noon
New London Community Complex

Invasive species can have a huge negative impact not only on the natural environment, but also on our economy. Research has shown that invasive species can displace native species in forest communities. Recently, the introduction species such as various forms of tunicate, green crab and oyster thief are having a dramatic impact on our shellfishery.

Red Fox
Out for a drive on the Bethel Road, not far from Macphail woods, and came across a red fox working a field for a meal. We stopped and watched her for quite a while and she didn't seem to mind as she kept hunting. She was a very able hunter. We watched her do the pounce thing and be successful. We watched her eat one of her catch and then she left, carrying one in her mouth to take home with.

I've put together some of the better pics into a gallery at the following link.

February 26, 2008

Horse-logging project underway in provincial forests
Use of animals to move trees harkens back to earlier time
The Guardian

DUNDAS — Way down along a snow-covered logging road near Dundas, two horses and a sleigh pull three generations of Taylor men through narrow pathways in the woods.
The men pick through a four-acre area of Crown land, choosing dead or crooked trees in the stand for firewood. Their chainsaws mark the only sound of machinery for miles as they slice through the trunks of their handpicked trees.

Common Redpoll
One of the most enjoyable visitors to bird feeders in winter are redpolls. The common redpoll is a small goldfinch sized bird that is very active and vocal when in groups. The most distinguishing feature of redpolls is the red-colored patch on their forehead and a black chin. The males have some pink splashed on the chest, while females have no pink. During the summer, they are located further north and to them, our winters are southern vacations if you can believe it :).