Events, Articles

New Boardwalks For Hibou

Oct 2013aWe are very grateful for all the help we get from our volunteers.  Thank you so much for your contributions of time and energy.  The pictures show well the success of work teams in the past.  You are great.

We have scheduled two mornings when we plan to build boardwalks again.  We need volunteers.  Can you help?  Please let us know ahead.  Email Bob Knapp rmknapp@yahoo.com

Date and Time:  Wed July 27 and Thurs July 28,  9:00 to 12:30.

Location:  meet at the garage at the left parking lot at main beach.

Bring: hammer, work gloves and ear protection if you have it and a bathing suit if you want to swim.Oct 2013 e

Plan:  There will be pre-cut wood on the site.  We will work in teams to build 8 ft sections.  They will be stored in the garage until a later date when we use them to replace some of the older sections in the wetland.

Please contact Bob Knapp ahead if you plan to come:

rmknapp@yahoo.com or phone 519 371 1255

Thank You Volunteers

IMG_2637Dear Volunteers,

We are so grateful for your assistance with this project!

IMG_2635Thanks to about 15 volunteers who came together May 17th, the Hibou Beach area is once again improved.  Mounds of sawdust and wood debris was left behind in Georgian Bay from a sawmill that apparently was operational in the Paynters Bay area many years ago.

It is definitely not all gone.  This is the second year that volunteers gathered to use rakes, pitch forks and wheelbarrows to move the debris back and away from the shore.  Staff from the Grey Sauble Conservation Authority then take responsibility for its removal using a tractor and lift.IMG_2632

This was the second volunteer day.  Earlier in May volunteers came together to do trail clipping.  Sometime in the summer, we will ask from more volunteers to join us in building more Boardwalks for installation on the wetland trails.

IMG_2633On this website,  there is a place where you can insert your email address.  Once validated through email, you will receive an email whenever anyone writes a blog.  If you are not already signed up, that would be the best way to learn about other volunteer opportunities and news about Hibou.

Maybe we will see you out on the trails or at the beach or along the Hibou shoreline soon.

Thank you again for your help.

Friends of Hibou

Hibou Beach Cleanup May 17th

IMG_4925Reminder:  Help us get Hibou Beach ready for kids and adults to enjoy this summer.  Last year the beach was significantly improved when several volunteers came together for a morning  to work at removing sawdust and wood debris along the shore. Let’s do it again!

When: Tuesday May 17th from 9:30 till noonish.

Where:  Meet at the beach.IMG_4923

Bring rakes, pitch forks, wheelbarrows, work gloves if you have them.

Please RSVP if you can join us.

Email: marieknapp@rogers.com

or phone us at 519-371-1255 and leave a message.

Hope to hear from you.

For more information about Friends of Hibou go to www.friendsofhibou.com

Marie and Bob Knapp

First Work Party, Thursday, May 5 at 1:00 p.m.

Early Spring

Just a reminder that our first work party will be:

Thursday, May 5, 1:00 p.m.

We will meet at the South Parking Lot, do some trail clipping
and put up some bat boxes.

The next work party will be:

May 17, 9:30 a.m. We will be working on beach clean up until noon. Meet at the beach parking lot and bring rakes, pitch forks, wheelbarrows, etc.

Hope to see you there!

 

We Need Your Help!

It may not look like spring these days but it did arrive some time ago and we are now well into April. I have visited Hibou several times over the last few weeks and have enjoyed walking along the beach and then crossing the road to explore the trails there. Conditions have been wet, and sometimes snowy, but if you wear the proper footwear you can still do some great exploring.

We will be looking for volunteers to help with trail and beach maintenance in May:

May 5, 1:00 p.m. We will meet at the South Parking Lot, do some trail clipping and put up some bat boxes.

May 17, 9:30 a.m. We will be working on beach clean up until noon. Meet at the beach parking lot and bring rakes, pitch forks, wheelbarrows, etc.

I will send out another reminder closer to the date but put us on your calendar and come on out to help! There will also be an opportunity to help with building boardwalks later in the season. I’ll keep you posted. See you at Hibou! C. Harris

 

 

Volunteers: we thank you

Thank you for volunteering with us. The Board Members of the Friends of Hibou wish you a joyful holiday season and hope that 2016 brings you good health, happiness and peace. 

April 2015 IMG_2845The year is moving quickly. It seems time runs away as we get closer to the new year. The Friends of Hibou Board met in late October to conclude the years activity and make some plans for 2016.

We are very pleased with what we have been able to accomplish with the funding dollars we have received through the Community Foundation Grey Bruce and the TD Canada Trust Environmental Fund. However we would not have been able to put it to use without the assistance of volunteers like you.

Over the past year with volunteer help, we have done trail accomplished the following: Continue reading “Volunteers: we thank you”

Fire Pits Dismantled

fire pitsIt was a beautiful morning on July 20, 2015 when volunteer Bob Knapp joined GSCA staff Lee and Neil.  They walked along the shore south of the Hibou beach area and took apart several large fire pits, picking up all the associated garbage left behind by their users.  The area is getting cleaned up well.  It is a beautiful area to be enjoyed in its natural state as much as possible.

Would you like to be a volunteer?  We have cleanup projects about three times a year.  If you are interested and available during the week let us know and we will be sure to be in touch next time a work party is organized.  Thank you.

friendsofhibou@rogers.com

Beach Cleanup

Great group of 10 volunteers and 3 GSCA staff worked hard today raking up much of the decayed leaves and sawdust debris from the beach edge.  Beautiful day and amazing view the entire time.

Thank you to everyone who was there.  We are hopeful for a good year of swimming close to home.

Feels good! Job well done!

IMG_4923IMG_4924IMG_4925

IMG_4888
This was taken last week.
IMG_4937
And this was taken at the end of the work day.

IMG_4933

 

 

 

 

 

 

Volunteers needed to help remove debris from beach

We are excited about the high water.  The Sandy beach looks inviting except for the debris that looks like twigs and sawdust.  Can you help?  Summer is almost here!

Bring a wheelbarrow, rake, pitchfork and you enthusiasm.  Join us Tuesday at 10am at the parking lot at the Hibou beach.  We aim to be done by 2:30.  Bring water and lunch.  Stay as long as you are able.  If you have to leave earlier, that is ok.

Let us know if you are coming.

Till then

Bob and Marie

Getting the Beach Ready for Swimming

IMG_4888Do you remember how popular the Hibou Beach was in the 80s?  The sandy shore line was so filled with families that new parking areas were established. Now that the water level is back up to that level, we are ready to clean up the beach area so people can once again enjoy swimming there.

We need your help.

When:  Tuesday June 2nd, 10am till about 2:30 but come when you are able during that time.

What to bring: If you can, bring a wheelbarrow, rake, pitch fork or shovel.  GSCA will have a tractor there to assist with removal of the debris that washes up on the beach. Bring water and lunch.  The weather forecast looks good at the moment.

We would love to have your help.  Let us know if you are planning to join us.  friendsofhibou@rogers.com