The storm from March 31/April 1 of last year has left a long-lasting impact, requiring a dedicated cleanup effort.

• The “Continuous Battle”:Despite the hard work of John and volunteers like Shane, Anna, and Scott and Marty, wind regularly brings down more branches, making the cleanup feel like a moving target.
• The Trembling Aspens:Just before the heavy snow arrived, Scott, John, and Marty successfully took down the damaged trembling aspens.
• A New Landscape:The removal of these large trees has significantly changed the view from the barn, marking a major milestone in the post-storm

It’s heartening to see such a strong community of volunteers helping John D. keep the trails safe and beautiful.

The following sections are closed until further notice due to storm damage and safety concerns:

• Glacier Trail:Closed from the Lakeview Trail junction through to Grassy.
• Beaver Trail:Closed from the Dock to Lakeview Trail.

• Note:This includes the section with the beautiful viewing platform built by John D.  A very large, ancient cedar tree has crashed into the platform, and clearing this is the team’s next major project.

• Production:John D. and Marty have been handling the heavy lifting by cutting the new posts.
• Assembly & Distribution:Mieke is taking charge of attaching the signs and placing them at the various trails.

The Benefactor: This project was made possible by Kathryn Sheridan of Peterborough ON, whose gift directly addressed Mieke’s concerns about the old, fading signs.

1. Signage:Mieke continuing to post the new signs from Kathryn.
2. Trail Clearing:Ongoing removal of falling branches after windy days.
3. The Cedar/Platform:(New Priority) Removing the fallen cedar from the Beaver Trail platform and assessing the damage.
4. Removal of ash trees due to the Emerald Ash Borer

1. Current Status:All components and materials for the boardwalk are currently staged at the centre, just before the dock.
2. The Hold-up:Construction is paused pending official approval from the Ecogift program.
3. The Risk:Under the Income Tax Act, any “change in use” or unauthorized modification to an Ecogift property can trigger a massive federal  penalty—
   Next Steps: We are waiting for the Minister of the Environment (or their designate) to provide written authorization that the boardwalk is a compatible improvement that doesn’t degrade the conservation protections.

1. The “Change in Use” Rule:any recipient of an Ecogift must get prior written authorization from the Minister of the Environment before making changes to the property.
2. Tax Penalty Risks:If construction starts without this “Green Light,” the recipient organization could be hit with a federal tax penalty equal to 50% of the land’s current fair market value.
3. Ecological Sensitivity:The marsh is likely the most sensitive part of the property. The program needs to review the boardwalk’s design to ensure it doesn’t disrupt water flow or nesting habitats.
4.  

It’s a bit of a “wait and see” game now, but having the materials ready at the centre is a good start.

• Location:Materials are safely staged at the centre, just before the dock.
• Status: No further movement until the regional coordinator provides the official authorization letter.