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| Updates From The Woods and Waters | April 2010 |
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Quote of the Month
Be a gentle friend to trees and they will give you back beauty,
cool and fragrant shade, and many birds, singing.
- Anonymous |
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Stewardship Weekend at Kimbercote Farm
This weekend is for landowners, ground keepers, land managers, or stewardship enthusiasts who are interested in expanding their knowledge of effective and practical land management, while balancing ecological, cultural and future needs. Learn practical land stewardship techniques, and how you can obtain tax incentives for conservation and management work on your property. This one-day workshop will demonstrate integral approaches to address the needs of the land with regards to ecological sustainability and practicality of implementation.
Kimbercote Farm, a charitable non-profit in the Beaver Valley, is a living example of land stewardship. Kimbercote's 100-acre property is a teaching tool for this workshop, which will highlight diverse landscape features and ecosystems to demonstrate the wide variety of management options for the Southern Ontario landscape. Participants will have the opportunity to explore and discuss:
- Tax incentives that could be relevant to personal property.
- Simple and practical planning and management options for private land stewardship.
- Managing invasive species with proactive approaches for lasting effects.
- Simple and effective ways to create wildlife corridors, core habitat and to increase food and cover for resident and migrating wildlife.
- Low impact plantation thinning for future hardwood growth and indigenous forest succession.
- How regular property maintenance provides the best materials for projects such as bridges, benches and wildlife habitat.
- Property naturalization's contributions locally, regionally and globally to the preservation of water, air, biological diversity and overall ecological integrity.
- How our lives can be enriched culturally while enjoying the benefits of a healthy ecosystem and community.
 When: Sunday, May 9th, 2010. 9:30AM - 3:30 PM
Where: Kimbercote Farm
- Heathcote, ON ( www.kimbercote.org)
Cost: $95 Includes: workshop presentation, lunch, refreshments and materials.
Dress for the weather. The workshop will be held both indoors and outdoors, combining theory and practice.
If you would like to volunteer for the weekend, join us on Saturday May 8th for practical stewardship implementation to get your hands pleasantly and rewardingly "dirty". The cost of Sunday's course (not including lunch) is omitted for those interested in helping to prepare on Saturday. Lunch is $10 for volunteers, or you can bring your own.
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Honeywood Traditional Bow-making Workshop
Our traditional Bow-making workshop is taking place in Honeywood on the long weekend, from May 21st to the 24th. As one of our most popular courses, the bow course Sticks & Stones offers at the Lee Valley venue in Mississauga is already full with a waiting list; so is the arrow-making workshop later this summer. 
So if you are interested, reserve your space as soon as possible by clicking here or visiting the website.
Work a quarter-log stave into a useable, beautiful long bow in 4 days using hand tools, and your own sweat... Learn to truly understand the language of wood, and to enforce a lifelong journey of appreciation for the medium. |
Empowering Ancient Ways Recap
Seven days of intensive wilderness living skills has left students, volunteers and instructors alike with a renewed sense of nature connection and inspiration. Not to mention a whole new tool belt of skills to take home and begin incorporating into daily life... with dedication and practice, students now have the "blue print" as to how to live comfortably in nature.
In summarizing his experience, Ben Vandervelde (student) shares that "there is so much in our daily lives the we don't actually need, and this class has convinced me that it is very meaningful to live my life with the future of the planet in mind."
This class is more than just learning how to survive... but how to truly live in harmony, and feeling a sense of connection to the land and resources surrounding us, through immersing oneself in practical, hands-on wilderness living skills and nature awareness exercises. As student Nauman Naeem eloquently observes: "Nature can teach you everything you need to know."
We would like to sincerely thank every student who attended the course-- each of you contributed to the unique dynamic of the learning environment. Your focus and determination inspires us to keep teaching the skills. Thank you for giving yourselves over to the experience.
We would also like to thank all our wonderful volunteers for your hard work "behind the scenes," helping the week to flow seamlessly.
Photo by Tyler Templeman |
Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program
Do you own, or do you know anybody who owns, at least 4 hectares of forested land in Ontario? You/They could be saving up to 75% on land taxes every year, with a Managed Forested Tax Incentive Program plan.
Skeet Sutherland of Sticks and Stones Wilderness School is a Managed Forest Plan Approver, certified by the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR). He provides Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program (MFTIP) services and professional consultation with regards to Forest Ecology Stewardship. Services include full plan preparation and approval, forest habitat inventory as well as the development of sustainable management objectives within the context and scale of your property.
Skeet has a unique passion for helping land owners realize their own stewardship goals and potentials by establishing practical ways to achieve ecological sustainability in forested habitats.
Sticks and Stones Wilderness School also provides workshops and presentations that help landowners choose the best options for practical land stewardship and caretaking methods and models. Helping landowners learn valuable lessons from tracking and wilderness awareness skills, that are integral to land stewardship. An emphasis is placed on the intrinsic value of wildlife habitat ecology as well as rehabilitation and native species naturalization management.
New plans must be submitted by June 30th 2010 in order for tax benefits to be implemented in 2011. For plan renewals (required every 10 years), the deadline is July 30th.
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"People Power Ride for Public Trails" May 29th
Something exciting is going on in the Mulmer region of Dufferin Country this month-- a 20 km ride "People Power Ride for Public Trails" starting in Dundalk Ontario and finishing in Shelburne. It is part of a big "People Power Gathering" to highlight the need for local resources as well as access to a Public Trail network. Whether you are on a bike, on foot, or on a horse, the ride will follow the railway bed, along the wind farms with lots of beautiful scenery.
The main goal for this day is to show our local politicians that people are indeed engaged in the future of this province. Sticks & Stones will be at the People Power Gathering which follows the Ride in Shelburne, where there will be food, live entertainment, and the opportunity to get to know other members of the community. Sticks & Stones' Kate Jones will be performing highlights from her new cd "For the Bees," which consists of original piano and guitar songs.
More information about this event can be found atwww.NDACT.com
Honeywood is just around the corner, so stick around for Sticks & Stones' Open House on the 30th! |
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OPEN HOUSE
Join us Sunday May 30th from 10-4 for
Displays and demonstrations
Bow-drill fires, building bows, tanning hides, animal tracking, making stone tools
Information on our programs and services
Traditional Archery Range 2 pm
Stewardship Project 3 pm
Primitive ookout 4 pm
Celebration & Announcements 4:30
At 5:30pm, singer-songwriter Kate Jones will be performing some of her original songs on piano and guitar, in celebration of the release of her latest cd, "For the Bees." Everyone is welcome to stick around for the show. CDs will be available.
Spread the Word! Come celebrate traditional skills in Ontario!
Where: STICKS & STONES WORKSHOP, HONEYWOOD, ON
Please email info@wildernessschool.ca or call (519) 216-6842 for directions, or visit www.wildernessschool.ca
Headwaters Events - Tracking Club
Our next meeting is Sunday May 16th at 1:00 pm (NOTE THE TIME CHANGE from 10:00 am). An emphasis will be placed on Creating a Culture of Nature Connection, and Coyote Teaching, in highlight of the Art of Mentoring course coming up this August.
Hockley Valley Nature Preserve,
3rd Line Entrance.
Email us to let us know you're coming, or for more info. |
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We owe our success to those of you who keep the fire kindled inside and the passion to grow and live through the life sustaining skills of the caretaker. Thank you to those who have been sending us pictures, videos and testimonials from the various classes and workshops we've hosted. Your stories and achievements are what keep the community thriving. |
Contact Info
Phone: (519) 216-6842
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