Double Day: Hike and Work Party

Trip Information
Departure Time: 09:30
Return to City Time: 17:00
Departure Point: York Mills Bus Pickup

Optional Items

Hosting Club: Toronto
Category: Bus Hike
Location (Google Maps): Springle property and Todd Bardes ST

Hike Leader(s): Janet Patterson Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Leisurely (2-3 km/hr)
Terrain: Flat, Level 1 (Easy - mostly on flat, well maintained trails with hard-packed surface)
Distance (km): approx 3 km

Description

This is a family-friendly event offering our members the chance to “give back”. NOTE: discounted bus fee ($20) and children accompanied by an adult ride the bus for free. Register the child by selecting “add additional hiker” and type their name. Children must be supervised by a guardian throughout the day.

The bus will deliver us to the trail head (Limehouse, near Georgetown), and on arrival, we will split into two groups. Group A will go off on a guided hike with members of the club’s Biodiversity Team, observing, identifying and perhaps even photographing the delightful flora and fauna we can discover. This will be a great way to gain points towards your Biodiversity Naturalist badge.

Meanwhile, Group B will learn to identify and pull out the invasive buckthorn that is proliferating there. We will have members of the Land Stewardship team and BTC Conservation Ambassadors guiding and supervising us, so no previous experience is necessary!

We’ll meet back at the trail head for lunch, after which the groups will switch roles.

So everyone will get a chance to explore the trails AND contribute to stewardship activities that support our ongoing efforts preserve and enhance the natural ecosystems along the trail. There’s even a badge for this!

Here is some detailed information about buckthorn:

Buckthorn (such as European or common buckthorn) is an aggressive invasive shrub that harms ecosystems by forming dense thickets that block sunlight and crowd out native wildflowers, shrubs, and tree seedlings. It spreads rapidly, reduces biodiversity, alters soil conditions, and prevents the natural regeneration of healthy forests. While birds do eat buckthorn berries, the fruit has very little nutritional value and acts as a laxative, causing seeds to spread widely and potentially weakening local wildlife by replacing more nutritious native food sources. For these reasons, buckthorn is often removed to restore native habitats, improve ecosystem health, and support wildlife.

What to bring (& wear):

• Long pants and long-sleeved shirts/jackets strongly recommended
• Sturdy shoes or boots
• garden gloves or work gloves if you have them (although we will also have some on hand)
• Plenty of water (1L minimum)
• Lunch, snacks
• Sunscreen, insect repellent, wide-brimmed hat
• A few reusable shopping bags if you have some