May 2022 Newsletter
Included in this issue:
Welcome back to all our seasonal visitors and neighbours
Reminders for folks returning in the Spring
Kearney Spring Litter Cleanup
Some information on Trilliums
Early morning on Lynx/Groom Lake in Kearney
Welcome back!
The birds and the butterflies are returning to the Kearney area. So far mallards, common and hooded mergansers, buffleheads, a great blue heron, Canada geese and loons have returned to our lake by early May. Hummingbirds started arriving here about May 10th. In May we also welcome many of our seasonal human neighbours. There are usually many chores to be done when they return. Many of these are specific to living in rural and waterfront places.
Some reminders for folks returning in the Spring:
Drinking water
Obtain a sample bottle for your drinking water sample from the local health unit in Huntsville or Burks Falls, follow the instructions and send in the sample. Don’t drink the water until you have received the sample results that indicate your drinking water is safe. The Ontario District Health Unit suggests testing your well water three (3) times a year - spring (most important), summer and fall.
Septics
Your septic will begin to do its job once it has input. Just remember that a good rule of thumb is “ if you didn’t eat it, it does not go down the drain”. Controlling the amounts of water entering the septic is also helpful. For example montoring the use of water for laundry,showers,and dishwashers. Renting a Johnny on the Spot for large gatherings at your home helps to reduce strain on the septic system, especially in the Spring when the water table may be high and the septic system may be sluggish from lack of use.. Septics should be pumped out regularly .A timely schedule of pumpouts, usually every 3 to 5 years depending on your use, is an economical way to ensure that your septic lasts many years. Be sure the the pumpout person checks that the outlet baffle in the tank is functional and still in place to protect your tile bed.
Shorelines and Lawns
A natural vegetative buffer between your property and the lake is best. Canada Geese love mowed lawns and barren beaches. As we all know they leave a real mess on lawns and along the shoreline. Beach sand dumped on the shore may last a few summers but inevitably ends up in the lake altering the ecology of the band of life at the lakes edge. During the winter it seems that pop cans, beer cans, and other debris accumulates in the shallow edges of the lakes and in the ditches along the roadsides. Already this spring some of our neighbours have started picking this litter up when they see it. As well as improving the look of the neighbourhood it is teaching children good citizenship
Mice and other critters
If you have had unwanted visitors in your residence, it is best to use traps rather than poison to get rid of them. Poison eaten by your pests may kill any wild animals and birds that eat carrion. Remember that poisoned pests may go outside to die. Most animals can't resist a free meal - even cute little chipmunks are omnivores. Town of Kearney Information Visit the Town of Kearney website for updated information on Garbage and Recycling, Town regulations regarding burn permits, fitness classes and Library hours. Some good news! Hopefully life will get back to normal this summer. One good sign - The Regatta is back! Now is the perfect time to volunteer to help. Volunteers are the life blood of a community like ours. If you are interest in the environment, KWEF needs volunteers too. Contact us, we’d love to have your help.
Kearney Spring Litter Cleanup
KWEF and the Kearney Lions Club work together on this project. The Lions have traditionally organized an Adopt a Highway Cleanup for the first Saturday in May. Volunteers would gather at the Community Center and be assigned sections of major roads and streets in the immediate area.
During Covid, we proposed that the cleanup period be extended to cover the first two weeks in May. This would allow both seasonal and permanent residents who perhaps aren't available for the Lion's Saturday date to participate. Bad weather and free time shouldn't now be an issue. A good way to start is to get your kids involved and just clean up your immediate area.
The Town has agreed to waive fees at the transfer stations for any roadside garbage we bring in during this period and offered to supply us with clear garbage bags. Most of the litter is pop and alcohol cans and plastic bottles - all of which are recyclable. Many who walk for exercise have said they have started picking up litter during their daily walk.
It would be an admirable goal to try to make Kearney a Litter Free Area. It is an easy first step to show that we really do care about our environment and neighbourhood. Best of all - it would cost nothing. The end goal would be that all of us consciously stop littering but until that happens we need to continue to pick up litter when and where we see it. Don't walk by and ignore it. We are encouraged by the number of folks who have started to help us clean up. Hopefully at some point it will become socially unacceptable to litter.
Interesting Information about Trilliums
The white Trillium (trillium grandiflorum) is Ontario's official floral emblem. There are 5 native species found in Ontario (white, red, painted, nodding and drooping with only the latter being endangered. No, it is not illegal to pick Trilliums, other than in Provincial Parks, but it is a bad idea. They are perennials but as a spring ephemeral they are very fragile. If you pick the bloom or entire plant, the plant usually will be unable to collect sufficient nutrients to survive the winter before they go dormant in midsummer. If they don't die immediately, it may take years for it to recover.
Trilliums are very slow growing plants. The seeds which are often distributed by ants take at least two years to germinate and new plants take 7-10 years to bloom. Once it produces its first flower, it will bloom annually in early spring (April-May) for about 10 years. Blooms last about 3 weeks after which the plant becomes dormant for the remainder of the year.
Trilliums grow best in a partially shaded deciduous woodland habitat where the soil is high in organic matter, moist but well drained. They are easily grown from their rhizomatous root system and the best time to plant or divide their roots is during dormancy in late summer or fall (around the same time when you would plant early blooming bulbs. Be patient. As mentioned above the plants are slow growing.
If you would like to plant some Trilliums, they can be found for sale at garden centres in the spring usually in their native plant section.