The Canada South Land Trust's fourth Annual General Meeting was held on March 1, 2007 at the Civic Centre. Fifteen persons attended the meeting despite stormy weather.
Various reports were provided by directors including the Treasurer's Report presented by CSLT Treasurer Tom Hurst. Treasurer Hurst reported the total assets of the CSLT at the end of 2006 as $11,478.68. Large expenditures during 2006 included an appraisal of the Balkwill Lands and lawyer's fees related to the Balkwill Conservation Agreement.
Other expenses included postage and the cost of preparing the newsletters, membership with the Ontario Land Trust Alliance and fund raising expenses. Income included memberships and interest which were 12.7% of income and used for operating expenses. Fundraising and donations accounted for 83% of income.
Treasurer Hurst stated the Land Trust was doing fairly well but the Land Trust can always use more monies. One account that should receive funds is the Balkwill Endowment Fund account.
Looking back on 2006, President Betty Learmouth reported the Land Trust worked at "getting the word out" about the Land Trust's mission and activities. Land Trust displays were at the Ojibway Nature Centre's Winter and Fall Colour Festivals as well as at Earth Day and at Women's Day at the University of Windsor.
Fund raising events included a supper at the 2006 Annual General Meeting on March 2, 2006, a supper and talk at Ojibway Nature Centre in June 2006, and a supper and presentation by Ministry of Natural Resources Chief Ecologist Allen Woodliffe in December 2006.
Presentations on behalf of the Land Trust were made by director David Ainslie to the Tilbury Rotary Club and by Betty Learmouth who spoke at a service of the Unitarian Universalist Church in Olinda. Director Terry Anderson spoke at the 2006 CSLT Annual General Meeting about the Chestnut and the work to restore this tree species.
At its July 2006 directors meeting, the Land Trust's directors embraced the Canadian Land Trust Alliance's Standards and Practices which are guidelines for the responsible operations of a land trust, which is run legally, ethically and in the public interest, and which conducts a sound program of land transactions and stewardship.
The Balkwill Conservation Agreement was top priority with the Land Trust during 2006 as the Land Trust worked in partnership with Bill Balkwill and Jack Balkwill to complete the Conservation Agreeement.
Following the business meeting Director Terry Anderson introduced guest speaker, Tom Preney, a staff member with the Ojibway Nature Centre who has been monitoring the repatriation of the Massasauga Rattlenakes into the Ojibway Provincial Prairie Nature Reserve.
In his talk Tom described the physical characteristics of the Massasauga Rattlesnake. This snake species is drastically declining and is considered a Threatened species and is considered locally Endangered. Threats to this snake include urban development and habitat loss. There are four main populations in Ontario.
Various activities have taken place to ensure the species does not disappear such as the formation of a Recovery Team, surveys, education including class visits, workshops, and door to door contact.
When four rescued adult snakes were moved to the Toronto Zoo, thirty young snakes were born. Permission was obtained for the release of these young snakes into the Ojibway Prairie in June 2006 with monitoring to continue to Spring 2008.
A soft release was undertaken with a fence erected to contain the young snakes. Certain behaviours were observed such as courting and mating behaviour and combat behaviour. After 2 1/2 days the fence was removed with monitoring continuing.
It appears that Massasauga Rattlesnakes have many predators including coyotes.
Prior to hibernation in the Fall of 2006, a pre-hibernation assessment was conducted which included weighing each snake, collection of a blood sample and conducting an ultrasound to determine if eggs were developing in the females.
Monitoring showed that by mid October to late November 15, 2006 snakes were underground. Two snakes occupied one burrow while three snakes occupied another. Three snakes failed to hibernate.
In the short term, the aim is to have a significant survival of snakes with documentation of snake activities. Acceptance of the snakes by the public is a short term goal. In the long term, the goal is to have a sustainable popula- tion. Karen Cedar introduced the Ojibway Nature Centre's adopt-a-snake program.
Director David Ainslie thanked Tom Preney, presenting Tom with a certificate of appreciation. The evening concluded with refreshments.