FALL ISSUE, 2002
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The Cruickston Carriage
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VOLUME 1, NO 3
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“Not seeing the hive for the bees...”
With this variation of an old and familiar adage, Stan Rowe, Canadian ecologist and author of Home Place,
addresses a concern familiar to all ecologists: humans have not yet learned to visualize the earth spaces
in which organisms live as living spaces. Whereas endangered species elicit outcries of public concern,
the earth spaces that envelop these species often do not. Our lack of understanding of this priority is an error in
judgement from which the whole world suffers. Ecosystems – not species – are the basic units of nature.
Humans fail to see the world as a large global ecosystem made up of smaller ecosystems. Stan Rowe prefers
to think of such systems as earth-homes or as home places. To get at the roots of our relationship with such
places, we need to develop a sympathetic understanding of forests, streams, rivers, farmlands and settled lands in
all their complexities. Rowe believes that when home places become a reality in our minds and imaginations then
vital ethical concerns will direct how we choose to live.
Importance of Cruickston – 21st Century Model of the Environmental Experience
The natural areas of Cruickston Charitable Research Reserve (CCRR) represent 6 of the 8 major habitat types characteristic
of presettlement times in Waterloo Region. In fact, its river escarpment, cliffs and limestone plain are unique to this Region.
Few old-growth forest remnants remaining in southern Ontario boast the size of individual trees in the old-growth remnants
of CCRR. From deep within the Hogsback and Indian Woods, ground seeps give rise to continuous flow, cold-water creeks
that make their way through maturing lowland forests that have known few human footprints. In a Region in which the remaining
wetlands constitute about one percent of the total area, CCRR’s wetlands demand protection: a red ash swamp,
marsh and wet meadows with regionally rare plants.
Equally important is CCRR's biodiversity: almost 600 species of plants, including many of the tree species
in the Region of honour-roll dimensions; more than 80 species and subspecies of mosses and 17 species of ferns;
195 species of birds; 16 species of amphibians and reptiles, and 21 species of mammals. Cruickston’s importance to
Waterloo Region is more than its representative and unique natural areas and its impressive array of plants and animals.
Cruickston’s value lies in what this 913-acre property can provide to the residents and visitors of Waterloo Region.
Imagine a natural world to be explored on foot, by bicycle or in canoe within reach of home any working day or
weekend throughout the year.
Ken Seiling, Regional Chair of Waterloo Region, spoke recently about the importance of a “hard edge”
countryside line at a city’s limits to create a life-style “where work, living and playing activities are within the regional
boundaries”. Such countryside lines exist in Europe and northwestern United States. The cities of Kitchener and
Waterloo are well on their way to establishing their firm countryside lines to the west and north. Ken Seiling points out,
“If you go to the St. Jacobs Market and drive along Benjamin Road, you will see just how a hard edge can and will
work.” Imagine the hard-edge countryside line that Cruickston provides for the City of Cambridge along its north and
west boundary.
Cruickston offers a “made-in-Waterloo-Region” opportunity to learn about the natural world, ecosystems and
biodiversity. Its proximity to our Region’s urban cores ensures ease of access for learning and nature study for
school-children, families and seniors. Residents of Waterloo Region take great pride in their academic institutions
whose presence attracts industry, business and stimulates creativity and thought. The upcoming move of the
School of Architecture, University of Waterloo, to downtown Cambridge extends this academic energy and spirit to
the southern portion of the Region. Imagine the academic opportunities that exist within Cruickston. This winter,
Dr. Doug Larson, professor of botany and director of The Cliff Ecology Group, University of Guelph,
and Dr. Stephen Murphy, associate professor, Department of Environment and Resource Studies,
University of Waterloo, will be preparing application guidelines for the conducting of research in conservation
ecology and restoration ecology at Cruickston Charitable Research Reserve. In response to the question,
“Why should research be conducted at Cruickston?” Dr. Larson has this to say: “There are no
other properties such as Cruickston in southern Ontario. In fact, I am not aware of a single private landowner
in the entire province that has set aside a piece of valuable land specifically for the purpose of supporting
research and education in conservation biology and restoration ecology. The contribution of this research
to be conducted at Cruickston is far-reaching:
- research results that can be made available internationally.
- education at all levels from elementary schools to post-secondary. Such education adds value to the
knowledge-based economy. Cruickston can help to reverse the brain drain, which is a real phenomenon in the
field of ecology and environmental science.
- actual conservation. Quite aside from the issue of the research, the activities at Cruickston can be used
to increase the public discussion of the need (and mechanisms) to achieve conservation and effective
restoration of habitats and species.
- the economy. Research workers traditionally have small salaries, but they are large consumers of
field and laboratory equipment. The building up of research infrastructure will permit local companies to
benefit from the local activities.
- the aesthetic value of the property as an example of what southern Ontario once looked like.”
Since the establishment of CCRR in February 2002, seven University of Waterloo researchers and their students –
both undergraduate and graduate students – have visited the property and used its interpretive resources in
courses of study and thesis work. Visiting professors from University of Tokyo and from China have toured the
property as well.
Brian Craig, senior science advisor, Environment Canada, toured CCRR in August with the view
to evaluate opportunities for established Ecological Monitoring and Assessment Network (EMAN) study plots
for long-term ecological monitoring. He writes: “Indian Woods is one of the finest examples of remnant old-growth
Carolinian forest remaining in Canada. The escarpment, cliffs and alvars along the Grand River are also of great
national and provincial significance and offer an excellent opportunity for parallel monitoring and research
activities with universities and agencies along the Niagara Escarpment. The establishment of forest monitoring
plots using the Smithsonian Institution – UNESCO Man and Biosphere – EMAN protocols will make an important
contribution to forest monitoring in Canada.”
Imagine – Cruickston, a model for environmental experience in the 21st century: the countryside
line at the urban boundary for day-to-day enjoyment of nature; environmental education with “home-grown”
accessibility; and, the infusion of academic stimulation to provoke us all into caring for our “home place”.
Carriage Tracks ...
On Saturday, 20 July 2002, 48 high school students from across Canada in the Shad Valley Program at the
University of Waterloo participated in trail construction at Cruickston by laying down wood chips and trimming the
pathway over a length of 400 m. Program director, Ed Jernigan, volunteered his students for this sweat equity exercise.
Kim Boucher co-ordinated student participation and Bob McMullen, Cambridge Riverbank Trail Advisory Committee,
advised and co-ordinated trail construction. CCRR thanks all participants; United Rental; the City of Cambridge
Parks and Recreation for providing the wood chips; and, Dal Hastings Construction for their speedy delivery.
The weather “ co-operated” to provide more than appropriate conditions for sweating :) Presently, Ken Cornelisse and Marlene Ross, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, are evaluating
portions of Cruickston Creek wetland. The Board of Directors anticipates that the present Provincially
Significant Wetland (PSW) will be substantially increased in size providing a level of protection to
more of CCRR’s wetlands. On 24 September, Larry Lamb and Bill Wilson presented their report, Request for Boundary Modifications
to ESPA 38, Cruickston Park, to the Ecological and Environmental Advisory Committee (EEAC), Regional Municipality
of Waterloo to extend ESPA boundaries on the property (see CCRR website). The Board of Directors have retained PLANT Architects Inc. to prepare a Work Plan for the CCRR
Interpretive Centre. Over the next 8-10 weeks, PLANT Architects will assimilate and synthesize information to develop
a framework for the future development of the Centre. The circa 1840 stone slit barn on Blair Road will play a significant role
in this plan. Photographer, Thelma Beaubien, has produced stunning images this late summer and early fall of the
Cliffs, Indian Woods and the Confluence. CCRR will use these images for illustrated talks, environmental education
and publicity. Leda Andric has been appointed Business Manager of CCRR. At present, Leda’s office
hours are Wednesdays and Thursdays. Members of the Operations Committee, Equitable Life Insurance and their spouses toured
CCRR on Sunday, 15 September 2002. At dinner, following the tour, CEO Ron Beaubien presented
participants with memberships in Friends of Cruickston. Thank you Equitable Life!
Cruickston Creatures
Great Blue Heron
Wading birds observed along the river within CCRR range in size from the Least Sandpiper
(15 cm) to the Great Blue Heron (1.2 m). A wading bird spends some of its time wading in water usually
in search of food. Leg length determines its foraging depth. The Great Blue Heron, a well-recognized
wading bird along the Grand and Speed rivers, may be observed during every month of the year although
it may be absent from foraging sites should the river freeze for any period of time in mid-winter or when
water levels are very high after periods of heavy rain. In 2002, 3 pairs of Great Blue Heron nested in North
Dumfries, a few kilometres from the confluence of the Grand and the Speed.
A highly adaptable hunter, the Great Blue Heron forages along the shoreline of the river for amphibians,
small mammals, and small birds or in water to belly depth for fish usually in the 5 to 30 cm range.
This heron forages alone or sometimes with other herons close by. Prey density may determine how
tolerant a heron is of other herons. Hunting occurs during both day and night. About one-third of the
photoreceptors in a heron's eye are rods, presumably an adaptation for night vision. Silhouetted against the
reflected sunset at river's edge, a heron readies itself for a strike. In the dimming light a "frawnk" call --
a rapid squawk -- lasting several seconds indicates alarm. Disturbed, the Great Blue Heron flies to a more
secluded spot to continue its foraging vigil.
Bird banding at CCRR: A long-term study of the birds of Cruickston
by Dallas Johnson
On Sunday, September 29th, the Cruickston Bird Banding Group (CBBG) began
operation of a banding station for what is hoped to be a long-term investigation into the ecology of the
bird species of Cruickston. Banding, as a method, serves to increase the depth of scientific understanding
of birds in a number of areas, perhaps most significantly by providing invaluable data on species
demographics.
The CBBG is comprised of experienced local bird banders and is lead by Dr. Dallas Johnson.
It is the CBBG’s intent to not only pursue its scientific mandate, but also establish a rapport with the local
community to facilitate environmental education and appreciation of Cruickston’s natural heritage.
Nature Notes
- Mid-morning courtship flights and aerial displays over CCRR forests by Cooper’s hawks
signalled the breeding of this, until recently, rare avian predator. By early-mid July, squawks of hunger
by fledged young greeted early morning walkers. At least two young fledged the nest.
- Three sightings of smooth green snake were made on alvar habitat this summer, the largest being
45 cm in length.
- During the guided walk on 21 September to observe fall migrants, participants observed a
Connecticut warbler. New for the CCRR bird list, this seldom-seen migrant is #195.
- 13 participants on the September Asters & Goldenrods walk had opportunity to view and
learn about 21 species under Larry Lamb’s guidance.
- During wetland bioinventory this summer, Larry Lamb found several regionally significant plants not
previously recorded on the property. A wet meadow sedge, Carex schweinitzii, was a
‘first’ in Waterloo Region for Dr. J.K. Morton, Professor Emeritus, University of Waterloo.
Geog 405/Bio 453 at CCRR
By Andrew Tofflemire, University of Waterloo
In June and July 2002, undergraduate students, Megan Russell, Andrew Tofflemire, Daryl Wyatt and Peter van
Driel, conducted wetland inventory and evaluation in the “Cruickston Hogsback Swamp”. With the
assistance of Larry Lamb and Bill Wilson, the students examined biological, geological, hydrological
and social aspects of this wetland. The evaluation was part of a course project intended to increase the
student’s familiarity with the Ontario Wetland Classification System. The course, Geography 405/Biology
453 taught by Dr. Barry Warner, provided students with an appreciation for and a basic understanding of
“natural, restored and created wetlands in the northern circumpolar region” (course syllabus).
Historical Hi Lites
During the bio-inventory and field studies in 2001, members of Cruickston Park Ecological Advisory
Team noted several groundwater seeps located on the slopes and hillsides of CCRR along the south
side of Blair Road. Long-time residents of Galt West and Blair will recall the annual inconvenience of
spring flooding of Blair Road due to snow melt, run-off and these seeps as late as the 1980s when
the road base and its culverts were upgraded. On Tremaine’s 1861 map of North Dumfries, the hillside
property along present-day Blair Road, east of Cruickston Manor, was owned by John McRae and
the farm was known as “Springbank”.
What’s Happening at CCRR
Guided Walks:
Meet at the parking lot of the Trans Canada Trail Pavilion, at the intersection of Fountain
Street and Blair Road/ Morningside Drive. Rain or shine.
Sunday, 20 Oct. 1:30 – 3:30 pm
The Geology of Cruickston. Join Dr. Alan Morgan, Department of Earth Sciences,
University of Waterloo on a guided tour of the geological features of Cruickston – features unique
in Waterloo Region – a river escarpment with 14-m cliffs and a fractured, solution-cavitied limestone
plain more than 400 million years old. Dr. Morgan is a recipient of the Distinguished Teacher Award
at the university and is a committed educator of audiences from grade school, to community and
seniors groups.
Saturday, 26 October 2002, 9 am to noon:
Fall birding along the Grand. Join Bill Wilson and Jerry Guenther for a leisurely
bird walk in search of waterfowl and a variety of migrating songbirds along the shoreline and backwater
baylets of the Grand and Speed Rivers. Cruickston extends more than 5 km along shorelines of these rivers.
We’ll use the existing trail systems within and adjacent to Cruickston to access birding
“hot spots”.
Saturday, 9 November 2002, 1:30 – 3:30 pm:
A Late Autumn Ramble. Join Bill Wilson for a walk along the laneways and hedgerows
of Cruickston to explore its built and cultural history. This guided tour will extend in historical time from the
late 1700s when Nathaniel Dodge built the first cabin on these lands to the present-day proposal of an
interpretive centre at the site of the circa 1840 stone slit barn.
Sunday, 15 December & Sunday, 22 December 2002:
Audubon Christmas Bird Counts at CCRR. Begun in 1900, the Audubon Christmas Count is the oldest and
largest bird monitoring activity in North America. Portions of CCRR lie within both the Kitchener (started 1934)
and Cambridge count (1977) circles. Join Ken Dance, Jerry Guenther and Bill Wilson
either day (or both) to participate. The Cambridge count (15 December) will be an all-day walk along the
trails and laneways of CCRR, searching for late migrants, winter visitors and residents. The Kitchener
count (22 December) focuses on waterfowl at the confluence of the Speed and Grand Rivers and Riverside
Park in Preston. Bring lunch each day. Phone 650-9336 to register by Wed.,11 December 2002.
A registration fee, $5.00, is payable to Bird Studies Canada. There is no charge to members of Bird Studies
Canada. Start time and location provided upon registration.
Seasonal Workshops:
Registration forms available online at www.cruickston.com Go to “Friends of Cruickston”.
Saturday, 18 January 2003 (storm date: 25 January). 6:30 am to 11:30 am:
Bald Eagles on the Grand River. This workshop will begin with an optional outdoor activity at
6:30 am – participants will assist with the monitoring of bald eagles along the river as they fly to their
feeding perches from their night-time roost sites. Indoor sessions, held in the Meeting Rooms of Cruickston,
will begin at 9:30 am (you may choose to join us then) with a discussion of the morning’s Bald Eagle Watch
followed by the workshop presentations:
- a history of the bald eagle along the Grand River
- identifying & ageing bald eagles at distance
- winter feeding habits & the breeding biology of this Endangered Species in Ontario
- the future of the bald eagle in the Grand Valley Watershed.
Mid-morning hot drink and muffins available. Registration: limited to 25 participants;
Cost: Members – no cost; Non-members - $6.00. To register, telephone 650-9336, leaving your
name, telephone #, e-mail or mailing address on or before 10 January 2003
Illustrated Lecture: Cliff Ecology
Dr. Doug Larson, Director of The Cliff Ecology Research Group, University of Guelph.
Monday, 18 November 2002, 7:30 – 9:00 pm, Toyota Room of Cambridge Centre for the Arts, 62 Dickson,
Galt-Cambridge. FREE ADMISSION.
A member of Cruickston Park Ecological Advisory Team, (CPEAT), Dr. Larson
has contributed to the vision and recommendations of the establishment of CCRR. Unique within the
Region of Waterloo, this spectacular river escarpment and cliff ecosystem that extends along the
Grand River through CCRR and into the City of Cambridge above the Park Hill dam, is similar to other
cliff systems around the world and, in particular, the Niagara Escarpment. Dr. Larson has visited
cliff ecosystems in 15 states of the US as well as those in England, France, Germany & New Zealand.
His studies of these ecosystems have revealed similarities such as ancient cedars and associated plant
communities that represent living laboratories & provide opportunities for the long-term study of
ecological change.
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Newsletter Editor: Bill Wilson
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