South Shore Joint Initiative

In fiscal 23/24 SSJI's educational and awareness program was carried out with a combination of webinars run over Zoom and in-person activities and events throughout Prince Edward County. Webinars and events were well attended and covered subjects such as Beauty on the Wing – Monarch Butterflies and others. Videos of these webinars are posted on our YouTube channel for public viewing. Our Wild Thing educational and awareness program was expanded to include Storytime t the library and expert guided visits for youth to the National Wildlife Area. Our project to undertake recording and oral history of the south shore fishery was nearly completed with the help of grant money. A book will be published next year as well. We also hope to have a huge amount of historical information be made available in the County Archives for posterity. Monthly south shore guided strolls were led by qualified naturalists to help educate and bring awareness of the fragility of the south shore ecosystem and importance of protecting species at risk of which the south shore is home to 39. This year strolls included Simpson Rd. MNR Rd. Ostrander Pt. Rd. Gull pond Lighthall berms and Wildflowers of the south shore. SSJI made several presentations to County Council in respect of planning applications proposed for sensitive lands as well as special presentations regarding the endangered commercial fishery and our eco-footpath project. Publication of our bi-monthly e-newsletter continued - now reaching at least 1600 subscribers. The newsletter updates members on our ongoing protection and advocacy initiatives and provides information about events. The Hudgin House restoration sub-committee continued to develop plans to restore the Hudgin log house to enable it to serve as a field center for eco-research on the south shore. Contracts were carried out for stabilization of the logs replacement of windows and doors etc. Discussions continued with Ontario Parks officials around how the new Monarch Point Conservation Reserve will be managed and the role SSJI will play as lead community partner. Extensive use of social media online and print advertising was employed to increase engagement and awareness about the south shore with resulting doubling of Facebook and instagram followers likes etc.

In conjunction with our partner the Prince Edward County Field Naturalists we organized a bioblitz on the NCC’s Maplecross Reserve to identify and catalogue as many living organisms as possible. Events included information tables at the Wellington Market Milford fall fair social events and presentations at the Hudgin house. A dark Sky event with expert presentation was done at South Bay. Our project to create a point to point south shore eco-footpath got going in earnest with a team of 30 volunteers beginning to map locations for the footpath and approach landowners for permissions. This will be similar to the Bruce Trail. SSJI participated in the County’s Flashback February heritage program by putting on Tastes of the south shore past and present event. SSJI provided input to the County through the Environmental Advisory Committee on conservation matters and undesirable commercial development proposals. A south shore cleanup was organized which attracted over 60 volunteers to pick up garbage along the south shore .