- HikeType Education Hike
- PaceTypes Leisurely - 3km/hr or less
- TerrainTypes Easy - Mostly flat and usually good footing
Hosting Club: Iroquoia
Category: Education Hike
Location (Google Maps): Dundurn Castle National Historic Site
Hike Leader(s): Bronwen Tregunno Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)
Pace: Leisurely - 3km/hr or less
Terrain: Easy - Mostly flat and usually good footing
Distance: 2-3 km
Description
Join Carolyn Zanchetta, HNC Stewardship & Education Coordinator on a gentle walk around Hamilton Cemetery. Discover the unique world of lichen and what it can tell us about air quality. Often undetected and unassuming, lichen can be found growing anywhere that will stay still long enough. Throughout Hamilton we can see crustose lichen coating park benches, colourful foliose lichen peeling up off tree trunks, squamulose lichen at the base of an old tree, or even fruiticose lichen stretching off the branches. As they are sensitive to pollutants, they can also tell us a lot about the air quality where they grow, or simply by their presence or absence. We'll look for these often overlooked organisms. Meet at Dundurn Castle parking lot by the stop lights at far end.
Bring snacks and water and dress warm as will be making several stops to look at lichen. This is a GENTLE WALK so not for those looking for a workout. Might be some mud or icy so wear good boots and bring icers and poles if you have them.