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Minesing Wetlands Spring Paddle
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Minesing Wetlands Spring Paddle

GOC Event ID: 2022012

Basic Event Information

Short Description: Paddling the Minesing Wetlands during the spring high water season.

Event Type: Day paddling

Goal: Experience the wetland of international significance; gaining cold weather paddling skills.

Event Organizer(s): Joe Lin

Dates and Duration: Sunday, May 8, 2022

Group Size: 2-10

Difficulty Level: D3

Skill and Fitness Requirement: spring paddling; basic moving water skills

Cost: Free for members, $5/ppl per day for non-members. Park/Parking fees extra:

Note that free parking at take-out may be available.

Meet Time: 9:00 am, May 8, 2022

Meet Location (Put-in): Willow Creek Canoe Launch Parking Lot (2302 George Johnston Rd #2234, Minesing, ON L0L 1Y0. GPS: 44.42156, -79.82334)

Take-out: Edenvale Conservation Area (44.4510898, -79.9012681, free parking by the gate)

Water Level Prediction: 4.0 m near Willow Creek

Weather Forecast: Township of Springwater - around 17°C during the day, brilliant sunshine, ESE wind 15 km/hr with gusts up to 37 km/hr.

Sign Up: REGISTRATION REQUIRED. Please contact Joe Lin.

Special Note: Good flat water experience; your feet may get wet, dress appropriately for wilderness canoeing; bring change of cloth in case of capsizing; plenty of sum block; basic moving water skills strongly advised.

Pre-trip Meeting: Contact Joe Lin if you have any questions.

Cancellation: The event will go rain or shine. In case of inclement weather or impassible low water level, the event coordinator will send out cancel notification at least 24 hr prior to the event meet time.

Itinerary

On May 8, Sunday morning, we’re meeting at Willow Creek canoe launch at 9 am. The shuttle to the Edenvale Conservation Area will be arranged while everyone’s readiness for cold water paddling is checked. Anyone who does not meet mandatory requirements and/or deemed unfit for the event will be turned back.

This route along Willow Creek is a favorite with paddlers looking to discover the wonders of the Minesing Wetlands. Putting in at the Willow Creek Canoe Corral on George Johnston Rd., you will wind your way 13.5 km downstream to where the Willow Creek joins the main branch of the

Nottawasaga River. From the confluence, it is a further 6.3 km to the pull-out at Edenvale Conservation Area. This route remains passable for most of the year, but can be quite low in spots during the summer months. Along the way, you will pass through open wetlands, which in the high water levels of the spring flood give the impression of a lake. If you are a bird watcher you will not be let down with the diversity along this route.

Gear List

Mandatory Items

Recommended Items

Notes

Site Description

Minesing Wetlands, previously known as Minesing Swamp, is a Ramsar (湿地公约) boreal wetland in central Ontario, Canada stretching from the western periphery of Barrie to Georgian Bay. It was identified and classified through the International Biological Program. It is "the largest and best example of fen bog in southern Ontario", one of the "most diverse undisturbed wetland tracts in Canada" and is a provincially significant Area of Natural and Scientific Interest.  The term minesing is of Ojibwe origin and means "island", referring to an island located within Lake Edenvale, which encompassed the present-day wetlands and surrounding areas.

The swamp's hydrology "provides for an interconnected network of swamps, fens, bogs and marshes". It acts as a reservoir that absorbs floodwater during spring thaw, from which a slow and steady flow is released throughout the summer into the Nottawasaga River system. This also prevents spring flooding of Wasaga Beach.

It provides habitat to over 400 plant species, of which 11 are provincially rare. Minesing Wetlands is an important staging area for thousands of migratory waterfowl, and is the largest wintering ground for white-tailed deer. It supports numerous plant species which are at the extremities of their natural range, including those indigenous to the arctic tundra in the north and the Carolinian forests to the south, and is home to the "largest pure stand of silver maple in the province". Provincially rare birds indigenous to the swamp include the blue-winged warbler, prothonotary warbler, cerulean warbler, golden-winged warbler and the blue-gray gnatcatcher.

Dubbed “the Everglades of the north,” the 60-square-kilometer Minesing Wetlands is a popular recreation area which draws many tourists. Canoeing is a common activity in the area, though inexperienced canoeists should be wary of spring flooding.

Points of Interest

Fort Willow is one of the most historic sites in central Ontario. Visitors can explore the site and have a picnic or walk the beautiful surrounding trails. Throughout the Fort, information kiosks provide visitors with the outstanding history of the area.

The waterfowl viewing platform was constructed in 2008 and is located off of Concession 2, along the Mad River. It provides excellent views for watching birds during their spring and fall migrations. The Friends of Minesing Wetlands accepts donations in the form of $2 for a Conservation Lands day-pass payable at self-serving kiosks at the parking area.

The Friends of Wiidookdaadiwin approached Simcoe County around 2000 to repurpose the closed landfill site on George Johnson Road in Springwater Township. This closed landfill site, now remediated and with permanent monitoring safety systems, has the ability to be utilized by the public as an attraction due to its scenic overlook. The views from the overlook are captivating and will serve as an attraction to local residents and visitors to our region. The name, Wiidookdaadiwin means: “Working Together and Helping One Another” in the Anishinaabemowin (Ojibway) language and was gifted to the site by the Elders of the Chippewa Tri-Council in consultation with Bill Jamieson. The site will be open in spring 2022.

Situated between Barrie and Angus, the Tiffin Centre for Conservation is home to the NVCA's Administration Centre, and the 300+ acre property is a four-season destination for environmental recreation and education.​ The centre is a spectacular place for a walk (leashed canine visitors welcome!) or to bring your gear and bike, cross-country ski or snowshoe on 17 km of looped trails that meander through a​ mixture of wetlands, forests, open meadows and ancient lake beds. Visit our working sugarbush for a late winter treat!

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