‘Bog Walk’ trail in works for Alberton

The Rainy River Valley Field Naturalists jumped their first hurdle last Wednesday night when Alberton council agreed to support the club’s proposed “Bog Walk” interpretative trail.
Club president Bill Morgenstern gave a presentation to council outlying plans for a section of land near Whitmore Road and Peat Moss Road—specifically, part of the southeast quarter and part of the southwest quarter of section eight of the town plan.
Morgenstern said the field naturalists have been observing the area for years and have seen many signs of life, including wild plants and animals.
The proposed observation pavilion and information station would overlook a beaver pond, with tag alders and spruce on the other sides of the triangular structure.
“It’s an interesting place to see ecology and, being close enough to town, it can be accessed readily by schools to see how wetlands can work,” Morgenstern explained.
The first stage of development was to come up with an action plan, he noted. After addressing council, the group now will contact adjacent landowners to let them know their short-term objectives.
They’ll also try to secure funding from the Ministry of Natural Resources.
The club’s mission statement for this project is to benefit the public. A cost estimate and feasibility study will be done to ensure it’s feasible to Alberton.
One of the most important parts of the project, Morgenstern said, was to see if there would be any adverse effect on the private and Crown land in the area.
“We don’t want to have a negative effect,” he stressed.
In the long-term, the group is looking to secure funding. Alberton Coun. Doug Mitchell suggested the field naturalists perhaps could team up with the Rainy Lake Conservancy and Ducks Unlimited.
Morgenstern said another possibility is a partnership with the school board. “It’s a great outdoor school. It would be a great project for students,” he enthused, adding students could help with species identification.
Phase one of construction would include the development of 370 metres of walking trail, with a species index along that stretch.
“We’d look at whether construction would be harmful . . . [to] the natural environment,” Morgenstern said.
Phase two would see a parking area developed for construction and school groups, with phase three to take place after the initial construction.
The trail would go into Crown land to the north and the group would need permission from the MNR.
“After phase three, then it’s the biggest part: ongoing maintenance and liability issues,” Morgenstern said.
Reeve John Milling first suggested tabling a resolution to support the “interesting project,” but all the councillors thought it was a great idea and so passed a resolution supporting the project—provided the field naturalists can secure funding.
“Especially now with the school closing, it’s a good way to get the kids back to nature,” said Coun. Bill Morrison, adding the field naturalists should try and get sponsorships from local businesses.