Beavers

If any of you know who in the government instigated the trapping and killing of the beaver in the little pond below the Yukon College approximately 2010, please forward this site for them to learn how to keep their culverts from getting blocked by the beaver, and therefore  removing the reason they give for trapping and killing the beaver.  I am sure I am not the only one who misses watching them work in the pond, and if beaver are the reason the pond stays alive and healthy,, the fact that they have been removed helps explain the low water levels I have seen in the past two years.

http://www.cbc.ca/player/Shows/ID/2363183150/

An interesting video of beavers hard at work.

  http://biggeekdad.com/2011/06/the-beavers/#.UOB0qzJP9a0.gmail

March 29, 2013 - Signs of Spring

Today was a beautiful sunny day, and with the warmer weather, came not only bright sunshine, but also many people out to enjoy McIntyre Creek hiking and walking their dogs.  With this thaw, comes icy conditions, making hiking treacherous, but also makes creative sculptures in the Creek.

Please put your thinking caps on so you can bring your ideas forward at our AGM in May (time and place to be announced), to help plan for the future of McIntyre Creek for recreation, and for the protection of the wildlife corridor.

Interesting Tracks

On a recent hike along the little pond at McIntyre Creek below the Yukon College, I spotted some interesting tracks in the snow.  Likely from wind blowing across, but it made a pattern in the one area that caught my interest.  The day was sunny, clear skies, and warm weather.  All promising signs of spring, which is yet on the horizon.

Born to Be Wild May 10 - 11, 2013

Hello Friends of McIntyre Creek!

We're seeking volunteers to help with the FOMC Booth at this year's Environment Fair, May 10 and 11.  This will be a really great opportunity to bring people up to speed with what's been happening recently with Middle McIntyre Creek, in particular City Council's decision not to consider planning for Porter Creek D for another 8-10 years.  More importantly, this is a chance to gather fresh ideas from people about how they would like to see the environmental, recreational and educational values of McIntyre Creek protected and enhanced. 

If you would like to volunteer for a morning or afternoon shift at this event, please send us an email indicating which day and which time.  A FOMC Board Member will be attending the booth Friday and Saturday.  FOMC promotional and membership material will be available at the booth, but if you have any ideas on how to 'pep' up our booth and make it family friendly, fire away!

Thanks,

FOMC

PS - don't forget to send us your McIntyre Creek wildlife sightings using the "Wildlife Sightings' function on our new website!

http://www.friendsofmcintyrecreek.org/WildlifeSightings.shtml

BORN TO BE WILD

Getting in Sync with Nature

May 10 and 11, 2013

Canada Games Centre - ATCO Dry Floor

Brought to you by the Department of Environment

 

This year's theme, BORN TO BE WILD - Getting in Sync with Nature, encourages exhibitors to think about the interactions between humans and the natural world and hopes to encourage attendees to think about how they too can be 'in sync'.  The majority of fair attendees are families so please consider this in your booth design.   

City Council Delay's Planning for Porter Creek D

Hello Friends of McIntyre Creek,

As you’ve probably heard, City Council voted on Monday to delay further consideration of planning for Porter Creek D (PCD) until Phase 7 of Whistle Bend, 8-10 years from now.  While of course, we would have preferred PCD be removed entirely from the Whitehorse Growth Strategy and have park planning for the area initiated, we’re excited to have the time to get our own proactive projects up and running in the area and to continue to work with like-minded organizations and educators.
Your letters to City Council and attendance and presentations at Council meetings were key in securing this vote - the decision could very easily have swung the other way so GREAT WORK!

If you have a moment, please email our Mayor and Council at 'mayorandcouncil@whitehorse.ca' to thank them for their decision and let them know that you're looking forward to discussing park planning with them for Middle McIntyre Creek.  Even a one line email is great reinforcement!

If you have park planning ideas for Middle McIntyre Creek please let us know, and stay tuned for information about a FOMC group brainstorming session.

Don't forget to check out our new website at www.friendsofmcintyrecreek.org and send us your McIntyre Creek wildlife sightings!

FOMC

Play Again Jan 30, 2013

The Yukon Fish and Game Association is screening an award winning documentary in Whitehorse called Play Again. The documentary explores the consequences of a childhood removed from nature.

At a time when children spend more time in the virtual world than the natural world, Play Again unplugs a group of media savvy teens and takes them on their first wilderness adventure, documenting the wonder that comes from time spent in nature and inspiring action for a sustainable future.

This film encourages individuals, families, schools and communities to examine their relationship with both screen technology and nature, and inspires them to take action and reconnect children to their natural world.

Date:  January 30th, 2013

Time:  7:00pm (with an optional discussion after the film)
Location:  Beringia Centre

Cost: FREE

For more information contact Dennis Zimmermann (dennis@fishonyukon.com or 867-336-3474).

For a trailer of the film: http://playagainfilm.com/gallery/trailers/.

Monday, January 7, 2013 City Council Meeting

At the upcoming City Council Meeting, on January 7, City Council will be meeting to discuss the Middle McIntyre Creek area including whether to proceed with further planning for the proposed Porter Creek D subdivision, and on January 14, Council will vote on whether or not to proceed with further planning for the Porter Creek D subdivision.  As always, these meetings start at 7:30pm and members of the public can attend and present to Council.  Keep sending the message loud and clear to Council: NO to further planning and NO to Porter Creek D!  

We hope to see a good turn out.