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Field Trip – Introduction to the Pardee Nature Reserve *** Outing is Full ***
Saturday, March 8 @ 9:45 AM – 4:00 PM
Note: This outing is now full.
Description – Come and join us for an orientation to the newly acquired Pardee Nature Reserve (2 segments). While the nature reserve is easily accessed by roads, there are no established trails within the property. For that reason, the field trip will mainly be a relatively easy snowshoe hike focusing on the various wetlands, beaver ponds and waterways. If there is insufficient snow for snowshoes, we will walk with warm winter boots, and recommend cleats for icy areas. Members will have the option to explore further on their own after the hike. We will discuss forest and habitat types, the human history and footprint on the sites, and wildlife species in the area, and collectively look for tracks and other signs of wildlife. Participants will be invited to share their relevant knowledge of natural history. We will visit both parcels of land, which are far enough apart to require us to drive between them. If time allows, we will stop for hot chocolate at the end of our hike.
Time & Location – Meet at 9:45 a.m. at the SE corner of the Canadian Tire parking lot on Arthur St., vehicles will leave by 10:00 a.m. for Pardee. Carpooling is strongly encouraged as parking will be limited along a narrow road. Participants also have the option of meeting at the corner of Pardee Road & Hwy 593 at 10:45 a.m., but please try to arrange to join with others to minimize the number of vehicles. The journey is approximately 66 km and will take approximately 50 minutes from the Canadian Tire parking lot.
We expect to be done around mid-afternoon, and home between 3:00-4:00 p.m.
Directions – Drive Hwy 61 south of Thunder Bay to Hwy 593, which is just 3 km north of the ON-MN border at the Pigeon River. Drive approximately 10.5 km west on Hwy 593 to the intersection with Pardee Rd (note that at approximately 8.5 km, Hwy 593 takes a sharp turn to the right (it’s signed) and the old border road continues straight ahead; do not go straight ahead). We will initially rendezvous at the intersection of Hwy 593 and Pardee Rd; please park on Pardee Road facing north, and not on Hwy 593. We will then drive 1.2 km north on Pardee Rd to the more northerly Pardee parcel where we will start our hike; vehicles will turn around and park on the road shoulder (this is a narrow road so smaller vehicles will have an advantage).
What to Bring – Warm clothing, warm winter boots, snowshoes and/or cleats depending on snow depth and conditions (further information closer to the date), lunch and water, and binoculars and camera suggested. Hiking or ski poles are recommended.
To Register – Please email Ted Armstrong (tedarmstrong11@gmail.com) indicating your name, telephone number, number of participants, and whether you will be meeting at the Canadian Tire parking lot (9:45) or the corner of Hwy 593 and Pardee Road (10:45). There will be a limit on the number of participants.
