Hello again from your hard-working 2011 Stewardship Rangers!
Last week, our skills and teamwork were pushed to the limits due to the extreme heat and humidity.
We started out on July 18 with a physically demanding project. We worked on creating new sections for a community walking trail within the Township of Emo, which is to be completed within the next five-six years.
In addition to making new trails, we also worked on maintaining existing sections within the town. The completed trail will run through and around the town.
The goal of the project is to promote healthy and active lifestyles among residents.
Then on July 19, we headed out to Wilson Creek, north of Rainy River, to measure the creek bed and floodplain for a project to rehabilitate the creek system between two cattle pastures.
By putting in a cattle crossing and fencing along the creek, farmers can prevent their livestock from travelling along the creek and causing the banks to erode.
Bank erosion, due to cattle movement, increases sediment loading and affects aquatic life within the stream.
Afterwards, we began to film clips for our “green” video, which will be submitted to the Fort Frances Film Festival this fall.
On July 21, we had the chance to attend a staff day, which took place at the Kay-Nah-Chi-Wah-Nung historical center near Stratton, known locally as the Manitou Mounds.
Staff day was held for MNR district staff from Fort Frances and Atikokan, and it was a great opportunity to meet people within our district who otherwise we would not have the chance to meet.
District manager Greg Chapman gave a short speech on our district’s progress over the past year.
Following that, we took part in the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship, where we monitored water temperatures and oxygen levels of the fish holding tanks and live-wells.
It is important to ensure the fish are in a stable environment, and experience as little stress as possible, before they are released back into their native habitats of Rainy Lake.
The following day (July 22), we returned to the bass championship to assist MNR staff in fish sampling. Biologists can use this information to assess growth and other characteristics of tournament fish.
For example, the length of the fish is compared to its age.
Annual sampling has allowed for comparison of results over time. The biological sampling included taking the fourth dorsal spine from each fish to determine age, in addition to measuring its length.
Be sure to look for our next column, where we will be sharing information about how we installed a beaver baffler.
To learn more about our projects and to see more photos of us out in the field, visit the Rainy River Stewardship Council’s website.
