Nature in the Heart of Our Village
The Dufferin Marsh

The Dufferin Marsh is a remnant feature of the Schomberg River and was isolated when the river was channeled in the 1800’s. Through natural processes and man made disturbances the old river bed developed into a marsh. The land was historically used for farming, and was bisected by the Schomberg and Aurora Railway in 1902. Through the years the Marsh has flourished despite adjacent development.

Spring Activities

Dufferin Marsh Chimney Swift Monitoring (May 1st) We are looking for volunteers to help monitor the Chimney Swifts that live in Schomberg. Although small, these birds are extremely efficient feeders - and they eat mosquitoes! A family of swifts can consume as many as 12,000 insects in a single day. Unfortunately their numbers are in decline, as both their natural habitat (standing hollow trees) and their adopted habitat (broad chimneys and air shafts) are becoming rarer. Often mistaken for for Barn Swallows (which they resemble) Chimney Swifts are small sooty-coloured cigar-shaped birds with long thin wings. They are heard and seen high in the air over Schomberg feeding on flying insects. They build their nests almost exclusively in chimneys. Once common, their numbers are dropping rapidly and they are now considered threatened. Please join us Tuesday May 1st at 7:30 pm at Grackle Coffee Company (on Main St Schomberg) to learn about this fascinating bird and to become involved in their protection.

Township of King Community Showcase & Volunteer Appreciation Night Are you new to town, or been here for years, but have decided that you'd like to get more involved in the commuity - and don't know where to start? King Township is sponsoring a Community Showcase meeting where various community groups (including the Dufferin Marsh Committee) will have a small display and a representative to speak to interested parties. Come out to the Trisan Centre on Thursday May 3rd and find out what's going on in your community. Details: Trisan Centre, 25 Dillane Dr (east of Highway 27), from 5:00 pm to 7:00pm.

Frog Night Out - A walk in the Marsh (May 10th) If you're interested in the Dufferin Marsh Frog Watch programme, but can't make it out on a regular basis, or if you're interested in learning about the frogs in the Marsh, and how to tell them apart, come to the Marsh at 8:30 pm on Saturday May 10th for a guided walk to hear the frogs.

Goose Control Rope The goose control rope has been installed at the stormwater pond again this spring. It's installed to make the pond a little less attractive to the Canada geese that nest on it's shores. With the rope in place we get fewer geese and therefore fewer goslings. Fewer geese on the pond result in fewer geese (and less fecal matter from the geese) on the childrens park. We don't want to hurt the geese, but we want to ensure that both people and geese can live in harmony - especially during the nesting season, during which geese can become quite aggressive. For a full explanation, click here or on the Goose Control link in the menu to the left.

Trillium Grant We're happy to announce that we've been selected to receive a grant from the Trillium Foundation. As you know, the Dufferin Marsh is surrounded by development, and is under constant stress and environmental pressure. The grant will help us to complete a background study and build an adjustable weir at the outflow of the southern portion of the Marsh. This is a one year grant of $12,800. Our thanks to the Trillium Foundation.

Bullfrog Power

Bullfrog Power is the only electricity retailer in Ontario that buys power exclusively from wind and low-impact hydro generators who meet or exceed the federal government's Environmental Choice Program EcoLogo standard for renewable electricity.

For more information, check out the www.bullfrogpower.com website.

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