Tay Walk and Paddle draws nearly 100 participants
To celebrate its 25th anniversary, Friends of the Tay Watershed organized the Tay Walk and Paddle on May 30, a free event for members, residents and visitors.
About 100 people took part in the event at the Perth Wildlife Reserve, where local flora and fauna experts Bill Elgie and Ken Allison led a guided walk. Former Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry wildlife expert Shaun Thompson shared his knowledge of the Tay Marsh from the reserve’s viewing platform, while local historian Susan Code presented the history of the first Tay Canal.
At the halfway point, participants boarded Voyageur canoes and paddled through sections of the Tay River, Tay Canal and Tay Marsh. The excursion was led by gouvernails (steersmen) Max Finkelstein, a Canadian canoeist and expedition leader, and Andrea Howard, a fur trade, flora and fauna expert. They shared stories about Voyageur canoes, Indigenous traditions and local ecology.
Board member Cathryn Bjerkelund developed a citizen science project with Rideau Valley Conservation Authority staff and organized a Perth Wildlife Reserve BioBlitz. With support from the trail guides, she demonstrated the iNaturalist app. Participants recorded more than 81 species of plants and animals, along with more than 60 bird species. Results are available at: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/pwr-tay-watershed-walk-bioblitz
Participants left with a greater appreciation for the Perth Wildlife Reserve, local ecology and the Voyageur canoe. Charlene Varcoe of Martin’s Bus Lines provided shuttle service back to vehicles at Last Duel Park.
Friends of the Tay Watershed thanked the Perth & District Community Foundation and the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority for their support of the event.
Organizers said registration filled quickly and apologized to those who were unable to participate. Members will receive early notice and booking opportunities for future events.
SOURCE: Friends of the Tay Watershed.
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