2008 Activities Report – University of Toronto Mississauga Naturalization Program
Introduction
The purpose of this document is to:
· Describe the 2008 accomplishments of the University of Toronto Mississauga Naturalization Steering Committee;
· Outline new initiatives taken on through the larger program; and
· Identify 2008 work program priorities for University of Toronto Mississauga, Evergreen, and the other project partners in implementing future naturalization and restoration projects at University of Toronto Mississauga.
Background
In early 2003, University of Toronto Mississauga, Evergreen and EcoSource formed a partnership to undertake naturalization and education projects at the University of Toronto Mississauga campus. The goal of the initiative was to facilitate implementation of the environment and natural heritage aspects of the University of Toronto Mississauga Master Plan.
A steering committee made up of University of Toronto Mississauga stakeholders and representatives of Evergreen, Credit Valley Conservation and the City of Mississauga was formed to manage the program.
The following objectives were identified:
· To implement naturalization projects with an experimental component and with general student participation;
· To investigate and suggest new opportunities associated with the green theme of the University of Toronto Mississauga Master Plan (e.g., suggest green roofs be considered for new buildings now being planned, storm water pond naturalization);
· To interface with other aspects of campus planning (e.g., the landscape architectural plans for the new south entrance);
· To help develop grounds management practices that improve effectiveness and/or save resources;
· To integrate our efforts with the University of Toronto Mississauga curriculum and the campus life; and
· To communicate about our efforts with Mississauga and neighboring communities.
2008 Highlights
Some of the highlights from 2008 include:
· Five successful community planting events were implemented: Over 100 volunteers planted 690 trees and shrubs at events held in the spring, summer and fall of 2008. This translates into wildlife habitat being enhanced in areas of the University of Toronto Mississauga campus. Volunteers included University of Toronto Mississauga students and staff as well as members of the general community such as groups The Peel Environmental Youth Alliance, Associate Youth of Peel Society, The UTM Green Team, UTM Graduates Students Union and Girl Guides. To raise awareness on the events, information was posted on Evergreen and UTM websites. As well, events flyers and a new Evergreen Volunteer newsletter were created and distributed to Evergreen’s list of Mississauga and GTA volunteers. Since the naturalization project began in 2003, the initiative has involved over 2600 volunteers in planting over 10,700 native plant species at University of Toronto Mississauga;
· Educational workshops, nature walks, trail activities and stewardship events held: 341 people from University of Toronto Mississauga and the general community participated in workshops, nature walks and stewardship events offered on campus. These events included monitoring and maintenance of naturalized areas, litter clean ups, and nature walks. Groups involved in these activities include St. Marks C.E.S., Mormon Camp and University of Toronto Mississauga Leadership Camp.
· Species at Risk Project: Funding was successful for this year and we were able to complete monitoring of the project area and so far identified one Jefferson Salamanders at the site. Professor Monika Havalka from Biology at University of Toronto Mississauga has provided assistance and guidance with UTM student volunteers to assist on the project. Professor Havalka and Heather Lynn, Natural Heritage Ecologist, from the CVC are currently discussing possible research projects for UTM students to help understand the habitat of these endangered species. CVC and MNR are greatly encouraged that University of Toronto Mississauga is continuing on with the project and will be able to provide more support as University of Toronto Mississauga moves ahead with this project.
· Old Field Project: Several successful events were held for the Old Field Habitat Restoration Project. Events included; pollinator monitoring, monitoring of the old field and seed balls. A seed collection event along with a nature walk at Jack Darling Park was also held to help educate about the Old Field Project.
· Fundraising was successful for another year: With the support of University of Toronto Mississauga, Evergreen was able to secure additional funds for projects at UTM for over $19,000. Funding applications for 2008 include the Environment Canada Habitat Stewardship Program, TD Friends of the Environment Fund, and Ministry of Natural Resources Community Fisheries and Wildlife Involvement Program. Evergreen has also secured funding for the Greening Corporate Grounds Program from the Ontario Trillium Foundation. In this initiative, Evergreen has partnered with Credit Valley Conservation and is a component of CVC’s Green Cities Initiative. The University of Toronto Mississauga campus is participating in this program as a Public Institution and will continue to have Evergreen support in their Grow Smart Grow Green campus initiative.
2009 Work Plan Priorities
Priorities for 2009 are:
· Continue to interface with small and large-scale campus redevelopment projects: understand projects better; investigate opportunities to incorporate environmental restoration (e.g., through community plantings) into larger projects as they are implemented (e.g., naturalization of new storm water pond to being installed in parking lot 4); undertake an action on these areas after implementation;
· Continue to develop communications tools: An informational flyer has been created and can distributed internally at University of Toronto Mississauga regarding the Species at Risk project and on the nature Trail. Articles on project outcomes, success and events will be placed in The Medium and on the UTM web site. As well, events flyers and a new Evergreen Volunteer newsletter were created and distributed to Evergreen’s list of Mississauga and GTA volunteers. Events and project information will also be posted on the Evergreen Project Registry.
· Further outreach to segments of University of Toronto Mississauga community: find, inform and engage the many constituencies on campus;
· Update inventory of monitoring and planting sites;
· Fundraise for plantings, stewardship, restoration, monitoring, Old Field and Storm Water Management Pond events in 2009. In-kind resources will also be tracked;
· Funding for Species at Risk project involving salamander monitoring and water quality analysis will be put on hold for this year. Discussions with UTM, Evergreen, CVC and the MNR Recovery Team will continue with possible research projects lead by UTM faculty;
· Propose to build a new road salt container for Grounds Department. Project will be based on funding;
· Implement initial phase of Old Field Management plan involving the removal of invasive species, native species planting of two zones and continue mowing of the area discuss potential for spring burn;
· Deliver nature walks and educational programming at planting and stewardship events;
· Plan and implement a number of stewardship events, where volunteer groups are engaged in the maintenance of planted areas and existing habitats. Volunteers mulch at existing plantings and remove invasive, exotic species;
· Undertake more media outreach, and more outreach to the communities adjacent to University of Toronto Mississauga; and
· Prepare a longer-term implementation plan.
Funding
University of Toronto Mississauga invested $19,019 in the program in 2008. This money was used towards three different program areas including the Campus Naturalization Program, the Species at Risk project and the Old Field Project. This investment was matched by funds including $8,070 from TD Friends of the Environment Fund, $10,820 from the Habitat Stewardship Program, $1,050 from Ministry of Natural Resources Community Fisheries and Wildlife Involvement Program. Additionally, the Peel Environmental Youth Alliance and the UTM Graduate Students also contributed funds for the events they participated in this year. Other in-kind resources were also mobilized including loan of tools from Credit Valley Conservation and donations of wood chips from the City of Mississauga. Funding secured from Ontario Trillium Foundation will support projects organized by the Program Manager, representing Evergreen. Evergreen is undertaking additional fundraising efforts in the winter of 2009 to augment available resources. University of Toronto Mississauga is also strongly encouraged to apply for funds with the Evergreen/MNR funding stream to secure funds for the upcoming spring and fall 2009 planting season.
There are also several granting streams that UTM can apply for funding for various projects. These include the MNR Evergreen Community Tree Planting Grant Program, Home Depot Evergreen Rebuilding Nature Grant, and Unilever Evergreen Aquatic Stewardship and Conservation Grant.
2008 Steering Committee Members
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Nick Collins (Co-Chair, University of Toronto Mississauga Biology Professor)
Kim McNeilly (Co-Chair, Evergreen)
Kris Horvath (University of Toronto Mississauga Grounds)
Diane Ross (University of Toronto Mississauga Grounds)
Aubrey Iwaniw (University of Toronto Mississauga Sustainability Coordinator)
Joanne Uhlmann (City of Mississauga)
Kevin Judge (University of Toronto Mississauga Graduate Student)
Jack Krist (University of Toronto Mississauga Recreation and Athletics)
Monika Havelka (University of Toronto Mississauga Biology Professor)
Brian Boyd (Credit Valley Conservation)
Otta (UTM Laboratory Technician)
Paul Goldsmith (University of Toronto Mississauga Facilities Resources)
Alex Rsmessar, (Student Representative)
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Summary of 2006 University of Toronto Mississauga Planting Events
Date / Site / Plant Material / Species / # of Volunteers / Participants1-May-08 / Site #9 / 200 / Pin Cherry, High-Bush Cranberry, Gray dogwood, Red-Osier dogwood, Common Elderberry, Smooth Rose, Cedar, White pine, Basswood, white birch, hackberry, silver maple, sugar maple / 32 / St. Aloysius Gonzaga C.S.S., Lorne Park S.S.
7-Jun-08 / Site #8 / 150 / High-bush cranberry, dre-osier dogwood, common elderberry, nannyberry, Basswood, hackberry, sugar maple
/ 23 / UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO MISSISSAUGA Graduate Students, general public
9-Jun-08 / Site #20 / 100 / Choke Cherry,, pin cherry, high-bush cranberry, gray dogwood, service berry, basswood, hackberry, silver maple, red oak / 5 / Girl guides
2-Oct-08 / In front of athletic centre / 100 / Alternate leaf dogwood, gray dogwood, smooth rose, staghorn sumac / 23 / University of Toronto Mississauga green team
4-Oct-08 / In front of athletic centre / 140 / Alternate leaf dogwood, gray dogwood, smooth rose, staghorn sumac / 13 / General public,
Totals / 690 trees and shrubs / 96 planting volunteers
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