The obligation on the part the Canada South Land Trust with regard to the Balkwill Lands Conservation Agreement is the Land Trust's commitment to monitoring the Lands on a regular basis. The Lands must be monitored regularly to determine if any violations of the restrictions placed on the Lands have occurred. During both the 2007 and 2008 monitoring sessions, Land Trust monitors determined no violations of the restrictions had taken place.
Following monitoring of the Balkwill Lands in 2007, an appeal for additional volunteer monitors was made to Land Trust members. The Land Trust was very pleased that Alan Batke, Ernie Kennette and Linda Kennette accepted this invitation which has brought the number of volunteer monitors to five. Karen Cedar and Shirley Grondin were the Land Trust's first monitors and have continued their volunteer activities into 2008.
Monitor Alan Batke has visited the Balkwill Lands on many occasions, taking numerous photographs, while Ernie and Linda Kennette have undertaken seed collection on the Balkwill Lands. Many of the trees and shrubs on the Kennette's own property are the result of successful propagation and introduction of these shrubs and trees on their own property. Linda states that the Balkwill Lands have a very special place in her heart.
In preparation for 2008 monitoring, additional copies of the Balkwill Conservation Agreement and Baseline Documentation Report, including the photography album, needed to be duplicated. Orientation meetings were held with both the Kennettes and Alan Batke to familiarize everyone with the various documents related to the Balkwill Lands Conservation Agreement. The meetings allowed discussion of the monitoring documents and the necessity for excellent record keeping of the monitoring activities.
During the first 2008 monitoring session on June 12,2008, Karen Cedar and Shirley Grondin filled out the monitoring sheets while Linda Kennette, assisted by Ernie Kennette, made notes of any additional observations. Owner Bill Balkwill accompanied the monitors, pointing out special features, especially in the woodland, with regard to tree and plant species identification.
Monitors first walked along the moss-covered Old Logging Road noting the introduced Helleborine Orchid which owner Bill Balkwill pointed out. In her remarks, Linda noted that the metal debris on the stone pile had been removed. Photographs of this site should be obtained to bring photography of the Balkwill Lands up-to-date.
The monitors then proceeded west along the grassy lane to Lane 1 of the woodland. Linda's notes concerning the Prairie and Pond Restoration site state: A healthy growth of prairie plants, including a good number of Compass Plants, was noted, as a result of the April 2008 prairie burn. A fair amount of water was observed in the pond, as the croak of a green frog was heard.
Walking along Lane 1, monitors were able to quickly determine where certain perimeter survey stalks had been located as owner Bill Balkwill had placed ribbon around trees aligned with the stakes. Monitors then proceeded to the northern perimeter of the Lands, where owner Bill Balkwill had placed more ribbons in alignment with the perimeter stakes. Numerous plant species were observed along the way including Smooth Rock Cress, Large-leaved Aster, Swamp Buttercup, Black Snakeroot, Goldenseal, Smooth Serviceberry, a Blueberry species, Wild Yamroot and another Helleborine Ochid. A woodpecker species, an Ovenbird and Carolina Wren were heard in the area. Several toads were observed. A few Garlic Mustard plants, growing near Lane 11, were pulled. Garlic Mustard plants were seen and removed along the Land's eastern perimeter, near the drain bank, where Lanes 11 and 12 merge together to form a short lane.
On July 22, 2008 monitors included Alan Batke, Shirley Grondin, Ernie and Linda Kennette accompanied by owner Bill Balkwill and Betty Learmouth, representing the Land Trust's executive. Alan and Betty both took photographs during the monitoring while Shirley completed the monitoring sheets. Ernie and Linda recorded the observations lane by lane as the monitors walked Lanes 2 to 8, 9, 10 and 12.
Linda's record of plants observed during the monitoring included Thin-leaved Sunflower, Swamp Loosestrife, 20 stalks of Cardinal-flower in bloom, Mad-dog Skullcap, Tall Yellow Hyssop, Zigzag Goldenrod, Cut-leaved Water Horehound, and Indian Pipe. Numerous fungi species were observed.
Thank you to all our volunteers who contributed their time and expertise to the monitoring of the Balkwill Lands. Thank you especially to owner Bill Balkwill who contributed so much to our monitoring, sharing his knowledge of his Lands with the monitors and photographers.
An endowment fund has been established to provide funds for the long term monitoring of the Balkwill Lands. Monitoring costs in 2007 included the purchase of binders, page protectors, postage and photocopying for a total of $63.08. Monitoring costs in 2008 included the copying and binding of the Baseline Documentation Report, binding of Volunteer Monitors Manual, and photocopying of four sets of the photography manual for a total of $421.41. Monitors and photographers kindly donated their time and expertise.