Walk These Ways with MMLT! - theHumm July 2016

This fall, the Mississippi Madawaska Land Trust (MMLT) offers two great opportunities to get out and enjoy nature walks in beautiful Lanark County.

Walk on the Wild Side with Michael Runtz

If walking in the woods isn’t something that you would ordinarily enjoy doing on your own, then there couldn’t be a better opportunity than following the lead of Michael Runtz. You’ll have that opportunity on Sunday, September 18, at High Lonesome Nature Reserve near Pakenham.

Michael Runtz has a real talent for making nature more accessible to just about anyone, from the avid naturalist to the person who can’t tell a groundhog from a badger. Laced with humour, Michael’s dynamic storytelling style can turn a simple walk in the woods into an amazing adventure in the wild. His enthusiastic style has won him numerous teaching awards and record enrolments at Carleton University, where he teaches Natural History. He has published eleven books, adorned with the stunning photographs from his adventures.

High Lonesome Nature Reserve has been a favourite spot of Michael’s for years, before it was donated to the MMLT in 2012. This 200-acre property lies within a wetland complex, which is rich habitat for a variety of wildlife. It has 8km of trails that wind around ponds and meadows and through different types of forest. New interpretive signage is being installed this summer.

To date, MMLT has legally protected over 2,400 acres of sensitive lands in eastern Ontario. It is somewhat unique among land trusts in that its mandate goes beyond the conservation of these special properties. MMLT believes that nature experiences provide numerous benefits that contribute to our physical, emotional and spiritual health. Year-round opportunities are provided on three of its five properties for hiking, trail running, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

Registration for Walk on the Wild Side is at 9:30am on September 18. The walk starts at 10am. A donation of $10 per person is requested. High Lonesome Nature Reserve is located at 867 Carbine Road in the Pakenham Hills. To reach it, take County Road 29 to Pakenham Village and turn onto Waba Road. Continue west for 2.9km, turn left on Barr Side Road and travel for 1.6km. Take the first left at Carbine Road and drive 4km to 867 Carbine Road and you have arrived! For further information and a map, visit mmlt.ca/events .

Fall Colours Hike to Blueberry Mountain

This annual fundraising event, sponsored by the MMLT, is a favourite for people of all ages. What better place to view the glorious autumn colours and share a picnic with family and friends than on the top of Blueberry Mountain? Local botanist David White puts it this way: “The panoramic view from the hilltop is unmatched in the County.”

This engaging nature experience fits in nicely with MMLT’s new Wild Child initiative. Research tells us that many of our children are disconnected from the natural world. The digital age brings many advantages and opens up countless doors, but no matter how captivating and addictive it may be, the screen can never touch the depth of our souls or cultivate what it means to be fully human, as does immersing ourselves in nature. When children discover nature they come to love it and soon become advocates for the natural world. This not only applies to children but to the wild child in all of us. It’s a win-win situation.

The Fall Colours Hike will take place on Sunday, October 2, with registration beginning at 10am. The hike starts at 10:30. A donation of $10 per person is requested, and children 12 and under are free. Howard Clifford, as the legendary John Muir, will be stationed at the waterfall to share stories with children and to chat with adults who wish to drop by either on the way up or on the way down from the mountain. The hike to the top is a gradual, 45-minute climb with one short, steep rise to reach the lookout.

Why not pack a picnic to enjoy at the peak? Desserts will be served after the walk. Children under 12 will be awarded certificates for making the climb. There’s also an 80 Plus Club for any octogenarians wanting a challenge. It’s a great experience for all generations!

Blueberry Mountain is located at 502 Hills of Peace Rd. near Flower Station in Lanark Highlands. To get there, drive north of Lanark on Highway 511 to Brightside, turn left on to the French Line Road, drive towards Flower Station and watch for the right turn when you get to Joe’s Lake. Just before you reach Flower Station, turn right on to Hills of Peace Road. For more information, please contact Howard or Jean Clifford at 259–3412.

Pieter Doef —In the Service ofArt and Humanity - theHumm July 2016

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Walk These Ways with MMLT! - theHumm July 2016