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By Aileen Petrozzi

On April 26^th the Phrag Fighters were at Bryerswood Optimist Youth Camp to celebrate Earth Day on behalf of the Club. We had a booth set up but unfortunately due to the terrible cold weather it wasn’t very busy. Despite the weather, Bernard, Janice, Heather and I still got to work and cleaned up the Phragmites that was sprayed last fall. It was short work with Bernard using our Stihl hedge cutters for the first time. Our equipment used was purchased from grants received from the Ontario Invasive Control fund- Green Shovels and ECFNC matching the fund.

We found last spring that the phragmites was so thick on the land around the pond that we couldn’t cut it or dig it out, so we recommended it be sprayed last fall by Ontario Invasive Species Center. This was the second time the lovely pond was sprayed to treat the invasive phragmites. The Phrag Fighters have been going to Bryerswood for around 5 years now and each time we go back I am surprised how the pond look

Bryerswood Optimist Youth Camp is not-for-profit, charitable organization, providing opportunities to learn life skills, outdoor camping skills and environmental stewardship.(https://bryerswood.com/about-us/) The pond gives the youth an opportunity to experience nature where many of them have not.

In June we will be meeting with Karen Alexander, the City of Windsor Naturalist, to develop a plan/dates to continue our efforts within Blue Heron Park and the Ojibway Prairie Complex.  I will have dates for all the volunteers to sign up the end of June.

Here’s a question: Why are we so worried about Phragmites???

Invasive Phragmites is an aggressive plant that spreads quickly and outcompetes native species for water and nutrients. It releases toxins from its roots into the soil to hinder the growth of and kill surrounding plants. While it prefers areas of standing water, its roots can grow to extreme lengths, allowing it to survive in relatively dry areas.

• crowds out native vegetation, thus resulting in decreased plant biodiversity
• generally provides poor habitat and food supplies for wildlife, including several Species at Risk
•  grows very quickly thereby causing lower water levels as water is transpired faster than it would be with native vegetation
•  increases fire hazards as stands are composed of a high percentage of dead stalks
• can affect agriculture, cause road safety hazard and impact recreational activities such as swimming, boating and angling.

(https://www.invasivespeciescentre.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Phragmites-MNR-1.pdf)

If you want to be on our volunteer list please let me know.  Even if you can’t volunteer, come out and support the work our club and volunteers are doing. 

Thanks everyone,
Aileen Petrozzi and Heather Inkster

By Sheila Laurin

On Wednesday, April 9, 2025, Kandyce Affleck who works for the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) as a conservation biologist gave us a presentation. It included an overview of the NCC owned properties in our area.   

NCC, which began in 1962, is working to protect natural areas across Canada.  It has helped protect habitat for many species at risk and provide permanent natural areas which can also benefit people who enjoy and appreciate nature. As a non-profit organization, they do fundraising for all their projects. If you wish to learn more about them, see their website.  Nature Conservancy of Canada: NCC    

The NCC Florian Diamante Nature Reserve on Pelee Island was a full ecological restoration project of an agricultural field to a natural area which included construction of a wetland.  This 62 acre site is open to the public.  Kandyce noted that there has been a significant increase in wildlife since 2022 in the area and seeds were planted to increase plant diversity. 

The NCC Marianne Girling Nature Reserve is located near the community of Harrow, is approximately 102 acres.  It contains a significant area with wetlands, Marshfield woods and meadows. (open to the public)  It was named in Marianne’s honour because it was made possible by her generous donation. The late Marianne Girling (1927-2018) was born and raised in Windsor, Ontario. She loved being in nature, and believed strongly in protecting natural areas.  She is a local conservation hero who is featured in the NCC Annual report of 2018/19. 

The NCC Upper Cedar Creek Nature Reserve has 20 hectares of beautiful Carolinian forest and wetland areas. The property was purchased from the Orfeo Lucchese family.  

The NCC Oxley Poison Sumac Swamp – approximately 321 acres have been restored to natural habitat, and is monitored.  It is also designated as an Area of Natural and Scientific Interest (ANSI).

The NCC Hillman Sand Hills Nature Reserve is a project which is in progress.  It is approximately 30 hectares of natural area.  The project involves the development of plans for restoration.  It is a habitat for many species at risk and it is an important area for habitat conservation. 

By Alexander Campbell

Committee Statement:

  The Turtle Conservation Committee of the Essex County Field Naturalists Club is committed to protecting and conserving turtles, their nests and habitats in Essex County. While partnering with the local conservation authority and other environmental groups, the goals are to identify overwintering sites, nesting sites, critical habitats and threats to the established populations, and to extend our knowledge of the abundance and distribution of native turtles in Essex County. The major key components of this project will be visual encounter surveys, nest monitoring and protection, and road mortality surveys. 

Why a Turtle Conservation Committee?

Not only in Essex County, but in all of North America, turtles are the most endangered vertebrates. Essex County is home to seven of the eight turtle species found in Ontario, all of which are designated as Endangered, Threatened or Special Concern Federally. However, only six of the seven turtles found in Essex County are designated as Endangered, Threatened or Special Concern Provincially. Urban development in Essex County has accounted for the loss of thousands of turtles, decreasing their population and contributing to the mass mortality of turtles. The protection of turtle nests increases the chances of successful hatching to almost 100%, hyper-abundant species such as foxes, raccoons and skunks are accountable for the destruction and predation of millions of turtle nests in Ontario. While actively surveying populations and protecting turtle nests, the committee will contribute to the increase in turtle populations in Essex County. 

Want to learn more about the Turtle Conservation Committee? 

Join us on March 26th, 2025 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the Ojibway Nature Centre, located at 5200 Matchett Road Windsor, Ontario N9C 4E8 for an introduction to the committee. Learn about past, current and future projects undertaken by the Turtle Conservation Committee. This pop-up event will include a presentation about the committee, turtle identification, threats and more!

For further details or to get involved email: 

Alexander Campbell, 
Turtle Conservation Committee – Chair / Lead Project Biologist