Historical Driving Tour – lunch at Apple Hill Scout Reserve

The Glengarry Pioneer Museum hosts an annual driving tour of Eastern Ontario, and they made a stop at our camp.

Specifically, they had lunch in the Pole Barn. This is fitting, as the Pole Barn was one of the original buildings built in the 1960s when the property was handed over to Scouts Canada (Boy Scouts of Canada at the time).

Patrick was on site to tell stories of the property and lead them in campfire songs. Of course, Patrick was more than happy to have a fire going to set the proper atmosphere.

Conservation officer visit

As part of creating a Sustainable and Managed Forestry Plan for the camp, we invited conservation officers from Nation and Raisin River Conservation areas to visit us. Technically, we’re in the Raisin River area. The Conservation Areas are offering free assistance to help landowners prepare Forest Management plans.

Peter took Cheyene, Nation Conversation Area, on a walk through the property (Red Trail, NW field to gate, NE field to gate, Blue trail – Orange – Main road). We saw a wide variety of trees, she educated Peter on tree identification by bark and leaves, plus we discussed best practices for our existing poplar stands.

Some of the tree varieties:

  • ash (3 varieties)
  • maple (sugar + another)
  • ironwood
  • basswood
  • hemlock
  • beech
  • oak (burr, white)
  • bitternut hickory
  • butternut
  • white pine
  • black cherry

    The wetland area on the western side of the property is considered a Provincially Significant Wetland (PSW). That means no buildings to be constructed; no problem. We did find there is a birdhouse in the wetland, would be a good place to add more.

    The old Domtar poplar stands are reaching the end of their lifespan. We can start doing in-fill planting and use the poplars to protect the saplings for a few years. We could also do selected planting of cash crop trees, again using the poplars to protect the saplings. Both of these options provides an opportunity for Scouting youth to organize and plan a tree planting session to help with our reforestation plans.

    Next steps are to determine if we want to have a detailed forest survey (last done in 1985) to go along with the plan.

  • Wildflower plot has been planted

    Everybody has heard about the decline of habitat for pollenating insects and the die-off of bees. Considering the size of property (297 acres) we set aside an area to promote flowers for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.

    Mike staked off an area of the NE field. In May, Peter started the process by turning the soil and found out just how much rock and gravel exists in the county under 1 inch of soil. Peter ordered a variety of seeds and bulbs from Vesey Bulbs (PEI) and came prepared with 6 bags of topsoil.

    Along with packets of sunflowers and seeds for bees provided by Mike, Peter has planted:

  • 120 bulbs for Bees and Butterflies
  • 2 Honey Bee Seed Mats
  • 2 Butterfly Garden Seed Mat
  • 2 packets of Hummingbird Seed Garden
  • 2 packets of Sunflower Collection (5 varieties)
  • seeds from BeesMatter.ca

    If you Main road trail, you’ll see an area roped off on your left just as you enter the NE field. Hopefully we’ll have a good crop of flowers that’ll help the local insects and birds. We’ll keep you up to date as the seasons progress.

    This new flower area could be helped out with the installation of some insect / bee homes. A good environmental project for youth.
    Canadian Living – How to Build a DIY Bee Hotel

    Flower seed map