Sifton Bog Gets Boost Tucked behind the bustling corner of Hyde Park Road and Oxford Street sits one of London’s crown jewels: the Sifton Bog Environmentally Significant Area (ESA). Sifton Bog ESA consists of 49.5 hectares of boreal and Carolinian forest, a multitude of plants and wildlife, and over 4.8 km of hiking trails and a 0.6 km multi-use accessible pathway leading to Redmond’s Pond and a floating peat bog mat at its centre; and this gem of nature just got bigger. In November 2024, the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) purchased 18 acres of adjacent land from Auburn Developments and Drewlo Holdings to help further preserve the bog, which the Ontario Government has designated as an Area of Natural and Scientific Interest. “Having this property gives us the opportunity to add a buffer between urban development to the east and the highly sensitive bog site,” said Brandon Williamson, Land Management Coordinator with the UTRCA. A new trail connects the two existing trails that meandered through the original bog site. Two new kiosk signs have been installed that show a map of the trail system, including the new trail through the acquired property and educational information about the land and its environmental features. Archaeological evidence shows that the area was used by Indigenous peoples long before local naturalists came upon it in the 1870s. Aa movement to protect the bog began in 1957 to help preserve the area from commercial and agricultural Byron Villager JANFEB - SECRET and HEIST.pdf 1 2024-12-13 3:56:39 PM
ventures. UTRCA acquired the original site from the Sifton Construction Company in 1967 and has worked on invasive species management and ecological restoration of the bog ever since. The newly acquired land will also undergo large-scale invasive species removal and ecological restoration with native trees, shrubs, and wildflowers. Sifton Bog ESA continues to be a place of natural wonder and a scientific and educational treasure trove for the community to enjoy all year round. For more information on what Sifton Bog ESA offers or the new addition to its borders, contact Brandon Williamson at williamsonb@thamesriver.on.ca or visit www.thamesriver.on.ca. Source: UTRCA Media release. November 6, 2024. Sifton Bog ESA brochure. Published 2024.
A co-production with the citadel theatre
A Co-Production with NATIONAL ARTS CENTRE INDIGENOUS THEATRE
by arun lakra
EXPLORE TICKETS TO HEIST, THE SECRET TO GOOD TEA, WAITRESS, AND PRIDE AND PREJUDICE!
. . A mother and daughter find their way to each other in a story steeped in humour, truth, and a cozy cup of tea.
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Jan/Feb 2025 Page 17
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