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Home My WebLink About2421FlISIVORY OF ALTONA FOREST Part l up to 1900 18,000 BC —About 20,000 years ago, the last grown Canadian ice sheet invaded southern Ontario. As the ice shoe t revealed, a dmmlinGed fill plain from Ne Oak Ridges Moraine south to, what is now me Lake Ontario shoreline, was formed. The south drumlin hills formed islands in ancient Lake Iroquois. 10,000 BC—About 12,000 years ago, the motors of glacial Lake Iroquois cut a prominent fossil bluff just north of me Almon Forest Property, a remnant shomlme of this ancient glacial lake, 6000 BC— The mel rwater from the receding glaciers sorted and stratified the soils into layers. These suits are andandrin by more dense fill layers a an average depth of 06 metres, paleo-lndians, following the recession of the last glaciers, approached this area. They were nomads who huntW game and fished on and around me area's rivers. They also gathered wild plan food. They lived in an em of giant bears, woolly mammoth and other cannot mega -fauna. 3000 BC —The choose warmed sufficiently to allow the landscape to change from mndm, to boreal forest to deciduous £oreaL The natives continued to be hunters and gatherers who lived in camps. They carried tools of wood bone and flint and eventually discovered Me mchniques to make ceramic pmaery. 2000 BC to 1650— Some natives started forms of agriculume allowing them to stay in me place longer and their camps could get larger. Near the end of this time frame, be natives were cultivating what is sometimes called be'three sisters" — corn, beans and squash. 1660 — The Indian village of Gmdatsekwagoo, (Ganatsekwyagon) which appeals on all the early maps of the French explorers. was well established as a terms of die beaver trade with me English and oe Dutch traders wheat camoes plied back and form across the lake, carrying a v �- V fortune in furs from the north some of Lake Outcome to New York before the French came in our north shore in 1668, This village, or probably group of villages, was marked on Iobefse map, circa 1670, as being the southern tip of a portage known to the Indians, which brought them down from the easmm district of Lake Simcoe(far Toronto) to the, '" "°0'Pw'"` ® trading centre just east of the memo of the Rouge RiverIn Perry Robinson's.'Toronto During the French Regime 0th v7�. maps of Joliet, Raffle, and Bellied, all show dis inedy that Jim trail begtus east of the Rouge and goes north before it swings in a wide me to the north west. (See Appendix A for more on these vlBages-) Brack Road was an Old Indian Vail. It Inds to ahigh sandy ridge which has traces on both sides of it, of Indian occupation. Pottery artifacts found by Mr. Lome White, of me Iroquois period, and FlISIVORY OF ALTONA FOREST Part l up to 1900 18,000 BC —About 20,000 years ago, the last grown Canadian ice sheet invaded southern Ontario. As the ice shoe t revealed, a dmmlinGed fill plain from Ne Oak Ridges Moraine south to, what is now me Lake Ontario shoreline, was formed. The south drumlin hills formed islands in ancient Lake Iroquois. 10,000 BC—About 12,000 years ago, the motors of glacial Lake Iroquois cut a prominent fossil bluff just north of me Almon Forest Property, a remnant shomlme of this ancient glacial lake, 6000 BC— The mel rwater from the receding glaciers sorted and stratified the soils into layers. These suits are andandrin by more dense fill layers a an average depth of 06 metres, paleo-lndians, following the recession of the last glaciers, approached this area. They were nomads who huntW game and fished on and around me area's rivers. They also gathered wild plan food. They lived in an em of giant bears, woolly mammoth and other cannot mega -fauna. 3000 BC —The choose warmed sufficiently to allow the landscape to change from mndm, to boreal forest to deciduous £oreaL The natives continued to be hunters and gatherers who lived in camps. They carried tools of wood bone and flint and eventually discovered Me mchniques to make ceramic pmaery. 2000 BC to 1650— Some natives started forms of agriculume allowing them to stay in me place longer and their camps could get larger. Near the end of this time frame, be natives were cultivating what is sometimes called be'three sisters" — corn, beans and squash. 1660 — The Indian village of Gmdatsekwagoo, (Ganatsekwyagon) which appeals on all the early maps of the French explorers. was well established as a terms of die beaver trade with me English and oe Dutch traders wheat camoes plied back and form across the lake, carrying a v �- V fortune in furs from the north some of Lake Outcome to New York before the French came in our north shore in 1668, This village, or probably group of villages, was marked on Iobefse map, circa 1670, as being the southern tip of a portage known to the Indians, which brought them down from the easmm district of Lake Simcoe(far Toronto) to the, '" "°0'Pw'"` ® trading centre just east of the memo of the Rouge RiverIn Perry Robinson's.'Toronto During the French Regime 0th v7�. maps of Joliet, Raffle, and Bellied, all show dis inedy that Jim trail begtus east of the Rouge and goes north before it swings in a wide me to the north west. (See Appendix A for more on these vlBages-) Brack Road was an Old Indian Vail. It Inds to ahigh sandy ridge which has traces on both sides of it, of Indian occupation. Pottery artifacts found by Mr. Lome White, of me Iroquois period, and FlISIVORY OF ALTONA FOREST Part l up to 1900 18,000 BC —About 20,000 years ago, the last grown Canadian ice sheet invaded southern Ontario. As the ice shoe t revealed, a dmmlinGed fill plain from Ne Oak Ridges Moraine south to, what is now me Lake Ontario shoreline, was formed. The south drumlin hills formed islands in ancient Lake Iroquois. 10,000 BC—About 12,000 years ago, the motors of glacial Lake Iroquois cut a prominent fossil bluff just north of me Almon Forest Property, a remnant shomlme of this ancient glacial lake, 6000 BC— The mel rwater from the receding glaciers sorted and stratified the soils into layers. These suits are andandrin by more dense fill layers a an average depth of 06 metres, paleo-lndians, following the recession of the last glaciers, approached this area. They were nomads who huntW game and fished on and around me area's rivers. They also gathered wild plan food. They lived in an em of giant bears, woolly mammoth and other cannot mega -fauna. 3000 BC —The choose warmed sufficiently to allow the landscape to change from mndm, to boreal forest to deciduous £oreaL The natives continued to be hunters and gatherers who lived in camps. They carried tools of wood bone and flint and eventually discovered Me mchniques to make ceramic pmaery. 2000 BC to 1650— Some natives started forms of agriculume allowing them to stay in me place longer and their camps could get larger. Near the end of this time frame, be natives were cultivating what is sometimes called be'three sisters" — corn, beans and squash. 1660 — The Indian village of Gmdatsekwagoo, (Ganatsekwyagon) which appeals on all the early maps of the French explorers. was well established as a terms of die beaver trade with me English and oe Dutch traders wheat camoes plied back and form across the lake, carrying a v �- V fortune in furs from the north some of Lake Outcome to New York before the French came in our north shore in 1668, This village, or probably group of villages, was marked on Iobefse map, circa 1670, as being the southern tip of a portage known to the Indians, which brought them down from the easmm district of Lake Simcoe(far Toronto) to the, '" "°0'Pw'"` ® trading centre just east of the memo of the Rouge RiverIn Perry Robinson's.'Toronto During the French Regime 0th v7�. maps of Joliet, Raffle, and Bellied, all show dis inedy that Jim trail begtus east of the Rouge and goes north before it swings in a wide me to the north west. (See Appendix A for more on these vlBages-) Brack Road was an Old Indian Vail. It Inds to ahigh sandy ridge which has traces on both sides of it, of Indian occupation. Pottery artifacts found by Mr. Lome White, of me Iroquois period, and bones found by Mn W. MUPherson,just westofthe Brock Road, confirm n divehabitimon. SBas Tool recalled On his grandfather spoke of this troll when he first purchased Intl m the comer of Ne Kingston Roar) and the Brock Road, in 1816. Certainly the area about the mouth of the Rouge River and Petticoat creek was Ne site of native habitation, some Mr. W. H. Moore, and Mr. Gerold Cowan, have found skin tingknives, and screw heads in thisvichi ty_A Isrge collection of very ancient Indian relics has been endeared by Mr. Hugh Squires, found by him on a sandy high strip of land behind his barn near fire mouth of Duff 's Creek. This collection was identified by members drive Royal Ontario Museum staff in belonging to the Laurentian period which proved d atthere werepeopler living in Pickering Township as long as four thousand years ago. There were large native amps near the following streams — Duff's Creek, wvn Econnon Geek Petticoat Creek and the Rouge River, as well as protectorate day. his very likely Nat me area of Allwa Forest was unroof the hunting areas for these P Nations peoples who probably visited many times. Arrow hearts have bcen discovered in Altona Forest but there is no evidence of --- a village or even temporary camping by these early residents within Ne Forest Fm W er investigaman will be done if it is warranted. 9 1669 - Two Sopician priests, Fathers Fenlon and a Tmuve, started a school for Senecas at Frenchman's s a k' Bay. The Senecas hunted and fished in a wide area -'� Be a" acord present Pickering and it is very likely that they _ aS visited the area of Ahona Forest a number of times to -� hunt or fish in Petticoat Creek. An Indian arrow head was found during a recent archeological dig m Mmna Forest but no evidence has been found w indicate 1" '- Nations camped orsmyed for longerperiads N the mea. 1791-Brgneer Angeline; lanes snorted surveying all of l a Pickering in preparation for settlers. Almost Prnest is M ( located N Concession 1, Lots 31 suit 32.(See map) The snwd river mmdng through the area already had a French name, Riviere Petite Cato,(Litte Hillside Rican) l �E • which satin became Petticoat Creek. This is one of the t last perimeters that this area was pan of New France. The „Fva��>m� mfroad nackswthesouthwest of this map belong in due Mapbl Grand Trunk. May 25, 1796 - Governor John Graves Simi ordered Nat %My, Pickering and can other townships be declared open to surfers. Enormous land grants weree made to government officials, members of Weir fomites acrd to Wrdr friends as well as to some Unwed Empire, Incydsts. May 22, 1798 —Patent was granted for Doctor William Holmes for All' of Con. 1 Lot 32. A substantial portion of this land eventually became Pe ricoat Creek valley land and Motor Forest Conservation Lands.' T sweawasjust200ofthe3400acresgrantedmDr. HolmesisPiclati He may never have set foot on me property. 1800s — Much of Durham Region was once covered by on extensive forest of hardwoods and conifers. The ansa was intensively lumbered and clement for memory, Lots 31 and 32 in Con. 1 hat poor drainage and topographical coasawnts and was probably never completely farmed It however, lumbered and allowed to regenemte likely only after fanning failed. 18 11 — A number of sealers were rated to ounce service in preparation for me War of 1812. Some of these men came from Pickering.'fhis state or readiness continued until war was declared and heightened throughout the war and for some time after. Fences of Almw Forest Many examples of fences have survived in Altana Forest. Fencing was one of she biggest jobs on fares. Main and labout was extensive when using stone and woad. )Fiances were sometimes used to mark IRM boundmies but most often to fence comments in or out Oflrn n farm would have a Immunity of fencing, with more Separates finished hanung, such as a picket burns near me Muse and the learn turned! order away. There are a variety of hands Iypcce w Mines Forcsr&on one WIN a story which when put together helps us to uncover more of the history of might; un Pronoun and the hismry of the forms which summove up Abode ForwL 1 land Regisny was. Dmhdm IaW Report DRce.5M Retained Rmd W airy •. ....,^ .,.. :lam^ ...,... lml l._^•. Ia4neu fk9A%ano G/[ ._.. _.�. .. fl A nu q gc./N mba .� It to, f'a, ,,ww 6„ "tF tk a gad I 4 I u9ak M 5 V �,r IL li L Y4 f; 18451 I i. Ckl� u v .Y+.4w,4m.�guvW .4"' 8 a �r(I lkll'm� �rr14 J.d May 22, 1798 —Patent was granted for Doctor William Holmes for All' of Con. 1 Lot 32. A substantial portion of this land eventually became Pe ricoat Creek valley land and Motor Forest Conservation Lands.' T sweawasjust200ofthe3400acresgrantedmDr. HolmesisPiclati He may never have set foot on me property. 1800s — Much of Durham Region was once covered by on extensive forest of hardwoods and conifers. The ansa was intensively lumbered and clement for memory, Lots 31 and 32 in Con. 1 hat poor drainage and topographical coasawnts and was probably never completely farmed It however, lumbered and allowed to regenemte likely only after fanning failed. 18 11 — A number of sealers were rated to ounce service in preparation for me War of 1812. Some of these men came from Pickering.'fhis state or readiness continued until war was declared and heightened throughout the war and for some time after. Fences of Almw Forest Many examples of fences have survived in Altana Forest. Fencing was one of she biggest jobs on fares. Main and labout was extensive when using stone and woad. )Fiances were sometimes used to mark IRM boundmies but most often to fence comments in or out Oflrn n farm would have a Immunity of fencing, with more Separates finished hanung, such as a picket burns near me Muse and the learn turned! order away. There are a variety of hands Iypcce w Mines Forcsr&on one WIN a story which when put together helps us to uncover more of the history of might; un Pronoun and the hismry of the forms which summove up Abode ForwL 1 land Regisny was. Dmhdm IaW Report DRce.5M Retained Rmd W airy Slumberous Due of the enfiestesampim offences in Altona Forest are made of stone. Fv the early settles of most of Noah Am arms, their livestock was one of Weir most important esters. Cows provide milk and beef has provided hour pork, smoked and adtW hams and boom which kept well, W their fat rendered to make Lmd for pies. It was essential to keep their animals whin easy access. The seders needed (encu to enclose their animals. The accumulation of sone in cleared fields required that they W command. This was done by hand or with the assistance of oxen or draft horses. Stones were handed only to far as necessary which usually meant to nearest property line or a mend location where they were pile) high to take up as little as possible spree. We have one example of a mound in Afto m Forest Imam] near inerpreatian post thus Sona dropped roar We property line were, either dtllbvarely=do into fences or naturally developed own We yws intoelongated piles of scone wars. Oneexample of Ws snucMe is fnmdin Attune Forest south east of pat 18 andjua north of the boundary, renceforhomes along the north side of Summemark Crescent Two offer atom wall sires have been Inroad. Offer some walls, Wprotest, may have been removal liter to ueate larger fields, to he replaced with re efficient knows or to drain the land. The remaining fence has been overgrown with Cortese liches oral mass as sees grew Imga dl =and it Ilse wall provides a unique stone habitat for. a variety ofsmdl arrina is sad faeces. Oar same fence is three to four feel wide and three feet high far most of i¢ length. Some hoes fcanda fat hold and have gown up w We lop of We fm¢ Our sone pace may have been placed there by Renjimen Dixon as it appears an the south whin of his property. Some sane fwos built N our" pars; of Nmlh Amedcz ame eugaved wW iumilx, usuallyenasqume which rolls who built them and in what year and possibly as an idenGCcation of fire land owerm An example could be lawy, b6, moment built by fanner Izay in 1866. No such markings have been found on are Altura Forest store knee although no study has been made of that force A stucco fence well can last forever if not destroyed for"progroas'. Living fence Tme-lines between fields or along pmpeaty bomdais or ur windbreaks, seem effective ways to separem propedies but not to int as a barrier for animals. Itis difficult to remgniae any of thea types of fences in Altura Freest as the Trees have mostly grown mo high W sepmna the lice lines from We forest The one exception is the property line which cert be sem when hiking is for We Alom Road parking tat The large pine on We noM side of the clearing to=a needy, sKdght line which was the lorntioa of one of the boundaries; fa ads property stove ter,¢wirh over 1p]yesra mftellen MvneMima doer namalmvWlW a cep of SpUtltail Cedar Snake Fence In North America snake fencing (also know as worm fencing), was commonly used throughout the 18th and 19th centuries but slowly fell out of favour with the invention of barbed wire, in 1873. During the mid-I800s, the common practice was to fence in one's crops while lemng ❑vestack room free Later, fres were very imp rmanr for keeping animals from eating the persons' crops. Some timber fences had Ne rails stacked directly on top of each other and secured them with double fence posts (one on either side of tee mils). This made a more permanent and compact fence but remained easy to repair No examples or this kind of split rail fence has been found in Altona forest. Wooden fencing was constructed because wood was plentiful and flus snake fencing was very easy to build and move. However, the fencing was inefficient, because its zigzag nature encompassed too mach valuable lend. Cedm rail fences were not common in areas of few pees but where ceder nes were common. During whims; many, farmers split logs ban rails for use is fence building the following spring. Because of tee simple constructions and need for few tools even on hand or rocky ground as in much of Almost Forest, there are a number of these fences still to be seen. The split rails were usually cut b a length of 10 to 12 feet- Bach Ralf was then split into quarters, then eighths and an on unit the mils wens of a usable shoe. Depending no the diameter of tee log, you could get 4 rails from an 8 inch log to over a down from larger logs. The pieces, called "mils." were stacked on rap of one another. The length of a zig zag fence erns such that the distance between either Ne zigs or the zags was 16% fact or one rad. A landowner could then taunt flee Aga or the segs along the side and end of his field and determine the number of square rods in afield which in turn told him how many acres the field contained. One hundred sixty square rods is one acre. so a Field ten rods wide and sixteen rods long was an acre. Some mil fences have lasted for generators. In recent yearn can rail fences are often consignee No Ir with a strand of hotbed wire or electric wire. Fence sells 01 nor r"I'd In For phoW am weis from Neazmaccel amnn Fewer Macke hone. 1811—The first of many by-laws governing fences in Pickering was passed. It mated `Noted that fences be four and one half fact high and not more than five inches between the mils." Tne next 40 years saw many more Race by-laws Pass because the animals ren face causing damage. Over 100 individual brands were registered for farmers in Pickering during the the 1800s. Woven Fences Woven wire fencing became popular carly in the 1900s mal was popular in areas where livestock were mixed. Open this fence was topped with a single strand of barbed wire. This was not the case in Alfred Forest When Altona Forest was formed, both the nonecm and southern boundary exhibited woven wire growing. (Bac map for other locmlons.) ThiswovmRace Was lautM on Me mnM1erbwotlary 1 ofAlbnermen. i Barbed Wire Without fencing, livestock grand freely, competing forfodderand water. Where working farms existed, most property was unfenced and open to foresees castle and sheep. Tie first wireleaves used one strand of wire, which was constantly V broken by the weight ofcaale pressing against it. Wire with two strings MLmm ofw'vetwistedtogethtwith in5ea be�bs, cellN bathed wire, first appeared around 1874. This stronger wire also repelled the Cable with their painful points. Barbed wire fences were cheaper to erect than theiraltemtives and when they became widely available in None America in the late 19s' Canby, they made it affordable to fence much larger areas than before. When ceramic insulators are found on faulted wire, it is a clean indication that the wire was electrified. No ceramic insulters have been found in Ahead Forest. 183os—Much of the area east of Toronto was growing rapidly. Pickering saw an influx of sealers. 1831— William Dunbar earned on Kingston Roel where the village ofDurdamen would soon grew into an area centre. Altona Dec. 24, 1832—'me official - records show that flat 32 Forest _"m stayed in Dr. Holmes' c., �^ possession until this date C0"P'Ta _w — ^--p,�; when he sold a portion to ep Henry Corona for f300. In 1840, he, in mm, sold dm - lY southern N for 950 to John Cormmwhowasprobablylds son. N 1849, Henry Conran sold the northern % to William Taylor for £300. A ==1 small portion of the northern part off t32 and some of the Id s e outhem part near penicoat .--------•......:�:' I Creek, were mom suitable for fainting Nan most of the middle section. This may be one reason for the frequent sale of the property and its use for P -46g mNnals rather Nen for extensive farming. This fact is also the Mason that the area was allowed to 7 never back to a forest and ---�t` venally become One of most mature growth urban WCA" Y forests in southern Ontano with zrue collection of � �;��,"" •l 3t plains and animals. William Holmes sold off aNerpacels of land in Lot 32 �^,,� to other farmers who in thin sold off sections to others. Names which appeared in J Pickering from 1832 he 1877 on Curl Lot 32 included: John and Robert Taylor, Henry Domain, Samuel Hollinger Henry Comm, Richwd Briggs,JOMBowles, William O'Neil, William Doubts (there is a William Dobbin School N Pickering), Deny ok, Thomas Packets and Jahn Mclmoshe Early first sealers bad it very tough. They had W tramp through thick bush (no mads) to get to their property. Once there, they M1ad to build a shelter and clear enough land to plant some crops. Often they had to survive of berries, wild game and fish. Many of them Def their properties in return to a more erouimd' the. 1800—The grain grown of the farms might have gone to the mill built this year on Duff 's Creek by Mathew Cockerline. 1850 —'@is was near the beginning of a period of development in Pickering as Ne municipal, industrial, educational and ecclesiastical establishments thrived. Pickering's population grew as the agricultural as reage expanded quickly. The commoncrops in Ne ama were wheat, barley, rye, ams, Indian com, potatoes and buckwheat Wool and maple sugar was also produced. Common live stack included cattle, horses, sheep and hogs. The value of cleared land was estimated at £5 5 shillings per sae. Taxes ontbeavetage 100acre caused aralot of £2 and Nis likely tinned a lot er as also re. this time, each farmer snake team to a five assist days smmte]about ce the roadsofthe area. Dwasexpectedm Claximks mmv ofhorsesmazsist. The doses post office for the farmers prior Dunbmtou wazm Cltsemoot. 1851 - A General Store was opened in Dunberton by John Parker. Dunbaxmi was now a urban centre which offered more sevviceOo the widerech mmdry. This marks the beginning ofDi nbatton vivage as an important comm for the residents nem by including those from "m 31 and 32. Tlas village now bad a store but soon a blacksmith shop, brick kiln, a church and postal service world smlvehere. The railways soon were under construction with a station established at Dunbarton(Sir could sti0 be seen along GO Trmsit tracks as of 2008} Roads were being created and improved N term country az the road to Toronto, Kingston Road, was gravelled to allow people mrd produce 0 g in Ne bigger city and back. 2I dReguay Lath, OUNem lsntl Regisny Oaict out Rmslmn Read WmWy r k�� l pl /kJa`3-d61 w s 1852 grist WJoh, Bdgge 1852—John Parker becomesthe first posmmeteratParker's General Store in Dumbarton. This meant much closer retrieval of mail for the residents of the farm conumnity in this area. Apra 19, 1852—A patent was granted to John Boggs for 100 acres to the scum is of Con. 1, Lot 31. Some of this land became part of Altona Forest while other parts became put of me preserved section of Petticoat Creek valley. 3 1953 krWn b lames Mers LVW Xeirmy book Dadme Land Reginq Orrice, 590 RwIand MW WNtby Feb. 19,1853—A pamntwazgfanted to lames Prices for 1110 acreslnthe north hof Con. 1, Lot31. This also became pan of the land which became Almost Freest.' Feb. 18,1854—James Pawn sold of pan of his property in the north %of Con. 1 Lot 31 to Joseph and John White.' April 6,1854—lames Peters sold off part of his property in the north 9ofCon. I Lot 31 W WWiam Taylor.` Sept. 26, 1854— Witham Taylor sold off part of his property in the north 1,i of Con t Lot 31 to plan to Dixon Lips, 30)' who attempted in farm the area with her husband Benjiman Dam (age 30). Their Lean was located south of the village of Cherrywood and noMwest of the village of Domination. The Dixons had at least three children, Mary Ann, Christina and laonet. May Ann is listed as the owner of this property from 1911 to a least 1917. agiliqlllt Mo, Tarnow o ntunR9EMaa 3o Doe yl . 'adn T 1 1 k �.Gr � 10 n fill 1855gem lobed Rnggn, June 25,1855—The next entry mm me Land Registry Book shows that JOM Briggs sold off some of has property in tae south a of Con. 1, List 31 m John and Joseph White.° A familiar time th dm area r land Reguny book Dwbam lad Reglan, ORw. 590 RwImda Mwiiter ' Used Registry book Durban land Regain, Of0¢. f90 RwInM Roel WNWr Lind Registry book Dmhoa land Regmy OH¢, 590 Rowbad Rued Whitey Card Regio" best, Wrum Lard Registry Office, 590 Reinhard Rood Weary ° land Repan book, U mlard Registry Office 590 Rmslad Rand Weary djShcl z. e m t 1855gem lobed Rnggn, June 25,1855—The next entry mm me Land Registry Book shows that JOM Briggs sold off some of has property in tae south a of Con. 1, List 31 m John and Joseph White.° A familiar time th dm area r land Reguny book Dwbam lad Reglan, ORw. 590 RwImda Mwiiter ' Used Registry book Durban land Regain, Of0¢. f90 RwInM Roel WNWr Lind Registry book Dmhoa land Regmy OH¢, 590 Rowbad Rued Whitey Card Regio" best, Wrum Lard Registry Office, 590 Reinhard Rood Weary ° land Repan book, U mlard Registry Office 590 Rmslad Rand Weary 189]Lard (Nmara the southeast cornerofWl 31 in o Coasasawmn 2 across what is Lot 32 as Wt31 w finch Avenue. The 18]] ao Can I o Cun 1-""s-'� map shows that they built a j fanahouse on the pmpeny in Con. 2 very close to patch. s21oR _- Later an archaeological study >>� was done of one of the Dixons O garbage sites which is now ' contained in About Forest. (See July 29, 20110) 13 mare COGIMOD m ervcna E lwmermmneoam • o� - Ocr.25,1892—JaIm Malamsh waswehlikedindsecommutdty e �? Z as can be seen in the following P ' _ sedate, copied from be Pickering News into Occulter R N 28, 1892. It is induced here to M,_ give the reader a feeling of 0m a social life of residents of Pickering in be 18005 and in f whatwould one day become Almon honest. 13 On Tuesday evening thefrtends f.lohn McIntosh metal hbplace andspent apleasanttime during which the following address was rbuh 1895 Lead Owpen presented together with a beautiful easy chair and lamp Lot32 tut 31 can] Con I" To John. Malnmsh, Esq.. /S Dear Sir: —The members and z5�J--- adherent of Dunbarion Presbyterian church, having " flamed with deep regret. of your S t intention to take V your residence outride the limits of their 2 so' congregation, desire before Your departure to give expression in P some tangible form to their ° �w appreciation of The great real and sin e.f heart and ming disdayplayedd by You in everything with the f the connecchurch comch and the good of the a good unity. Them fore you are requested to accept his miop and esteem coker of hendesteem ey hind beer they sincerely hope and many that Cad may, Pare yowl for many '\ years to airsofoccupy u devoteniseering the affairs of best -- is is also adapted and studying adopted € m advance the spvitud amu mord a spiritual !h condition- of the locality M which you are about to reside The sorrow t they lel because of you removal from among them is also shared in _ alike degree tryourdevoted wife and family, nd they ask Mrs. Mc/mash to accept this lamp as an a. assurance from them that her - industry. tlorhandhospimlilywere appreciated and admired by them - lL It is their earnest desire and prayer that the divine Providence, by whom you have been led 14 chomps, may most you wtrdom. strength, courage and success in every depammem of work to which your aaendon may be directed Signed on b sha edifrhe congregation we have the hissi so present you with this address. Agnes, Thom, Maggie Holmes's Oct 25th. 1892. Mr. McIntosh made a mayf ling reply when her trident speeches by the polar and others, Me company were created a bottlenose tea by the lades. The company breaking up shortly before midnight is John sold his farm end he and his family moved from Pickering soon after this party. April 21,1891—Living with Thomas Pickens (77) and his wife Elizabeth (76) is be Lacey, family; Thomas (40), and his wife Margaret Pickens (42) who married on July 12,1876, and their children Carlotta (I6), lWdllam Thomas (14) and two other children Annan May Westgate (7) and Frederick Westgate (2). Five years later Thomas Lacey will become a land owner in Lot 31. Aug.17,1896 —Thomas Lacey (Lacey's Pond named after this family) purchases property in We south 1i of Con. I, Jut 31 as well as other socialist m the same area's 'r Dr. William Homes wu Ne fico 0,,al of pmprny in L0132. Thrace Holmos is likely a Musician, 13 Ficbing News, Onmer i8. 1892. 14 Lmtl Reglsq back, Dmlum land Registry Office, 5% Resulted Rom WIilWy PART 111900.1999 1910—Home delivery, of mail stared for the residents of Con. 1, LWs 31 and 32. Dec. 12,1916—Margaret Lacey, who was granted a Petition of Administration for Will Di ern's jamfzrty in fee north h of Con I Lot 31, sold into WNiam Thomas Lacey and Victor Samuel Lacey. It is after this family that Lacey's Pond is med. This family also bought other properties in Con. l Lot 31,' Jam, 19,1915 to May M, 1927 die Land Registration book contains 6land hazardous in the muN %of can. 1, Lot 31 which all involve William or names Lacey. Trey continue to purchase land Land Repsrrybod:, purbamtnnd Registry GW1=5mlarmuM Rea Whi by into be 193Qs' 1915 to 1949 —The norm %of Con. l Int 31 saw many prope nes change hands during these years as the property size got smaller and the selling prices got larger. Purchases included: Madden Thomas, Joseph and John White, Elizabeth Dixon, Thomas Pickens, Gearge Gates, Regivald John bijou. The Hydra Electric Power Commission of Camara, Joseph Pearce, Jahn Tobey, DoNry BroadhumL Joseph, Madeline, Bernice and Carelyn Sargeant and William Lacey. While in the south [h of Con. 1, lot 31 names such as Central Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Bemics Sargeant Joseph Sargeant, and Bernard Burton (who each is in a large group of purchases 'in husf) appear in the Land Regis" book. it appears that there are a number of speculators buying land at this oma.3 1946 —Dr. J. Murray Speirs and his wife, Dons Hanson Staids, use their property and be adjoining forest as a centre for environmental investigative studies. The area becomes known as the Aliens Road Bird Sar2maty. Alum 1954. April to lune 1949-0r. J. Murray Speirs conducts be fust deailed brobary mapping of breeding birds for portions of Lots 31 and 32 in what eventually becomes Altana Forest April to June 1950— Dr. 1. Murray Spens conducts be second detailed mrrnt mapping of breeding birds for ponioos of Loa 31 and 32 in what eventually becomes Ahona Fired. July 16, 1951—PetticoatCreek swollen wa x[ucmnn xea ngoc.wm um in be Altana Forest ies, overflows its by aiWal mihnn, HUP McCulley, In banks and Roods Kingswn Road- 1950 oad 1950 to 1969—After Leming stopped and the trees tumid much of Lots 31 and 32 into Almna Forest, the ata was used for enjoyment Parents took then small child in see be wildflowers each spring. The banks of riBiums used to be so numerous, children bought they were snow ` Lentl Rep}evybovk UwM1vmisM Regeny Hllm, 590RmIend Raatl WN[by a Imd acted"bmk norhm[ rand warranty GRIM 590 RmLvvd Rmtl WWWy 4Cre® Acres union EnNrovmevut Import fisifi ,unissued An Gan[ Moms by Henry Katebas& AssotivYS lnc.,Imdscepa ArtNic[e, Mey]t 1988 covering the forest floor_ In the ponds mould he seen fairy shrimp—tmy pick dwellers of forest panels which hatch each spring. An obsolesce of fairy shrimp is an indication of a healthy hand. The chorus of variety of frog species was heard each acting. Also in spring. the Forest was full ofimposing birds -whip -poor -wills who called at night, woodcocks doing their Hatching spring mating flights along Ne forest edge, wood+lucks nesting near the pond, oven birds and colourful warblers of many kinds, Including some reading on the ground. The migrants seldom stop by w, because the forest has been surrounded by development. But some wonderful birds are still thele, including Great Horned Owls, Barred Owls, Coopers' Hawks, Red -Tailed Hawks, Pdrated Woodpeckers, and the finest -edge birds and feeder birds, such as cardinals, chickadees, Nut Hatches, Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers, and Bluejays, Crows and many more. (Ser Map of Almost Forest before housing developments.) A forest that is managing to survive, even thrive, in the midst of Intensifying urban sprawl should be treasured. Nevertheless, during the 1950s and Ws, land developers started purchasing property in Rckering for development and fire Altana Avast was a prime area for this activity. 1950 -Dosing Ws year the predomInaat use of the land In I-ats 31 and 32 was still farmland which includedgeazingofanimals. Anumberofresidcnr houses had appeared along Altona Road, Finch. Sheppard and Rosebacr as property owners subdivided their property. 1954 -Sections of Lots 31 and 32 were no longer n active agriculture. The north side of tut 31 was still used for agriculture while the middle, where It was mom Dist with ponds, had occurred back too wet woodland. The with part has fields that were left fellow. Most of Int 32, where die majority of Altana Forest now exists, had already reverted back m a mature forest with wetlands, cedar bog, deciduous foresk coniferous forest and mixed forest. Much of the north portion was Hydro property and open field. See vegetative Map) 1956 caul pLam or A time Ferro ,d maw Whom caro ehow"g; Polon as fuwog and the mnm2 forest Oct. 14, 1954- prominent had one day major benefactor for Almost Fired, John Murray Spelrsand Doris Spaim; appear in the Isnd Registry book as land owners in Cort 1 Lot 32.5 5 rand Resust,r book Durham lard Rummy Dulcet 590 Reverse Rind a W by ltona Forest 1961 Lund Owners October 15, 1954-Hurmostat IUrel pieces through southern Lot 32 W111 Ontario hitting Toronto severely Cont Con 1" and dropping ground rain onto Altona Forest- Petticoat Creek became a ra¢In¢ dyer while ,- .FR.m 1960s- A group of young teens 1� 10A two • -..1 overflowing. Being on higher log cabin. They did so using long standing techniques of mouthing vu° the ends ere. The cabin was 16A t?^ ground, no sever damage was Gone a o+�✓' roofless but provided them will a great deal of playing fan. This log luAvA nti. - cabin was s, well build that it can study mean. Hurricane Hazel g lased in the same spot into One 6 next millennium. s for dte eslablishmunt was areao Law. 'r" m, ]one 21, 1965- Ining time resident n in the Altona Forest area, Karl H. and Liesbedi Poling appear on the Land Registry book "land owners efn (L 4 - b Con. l Lot 32. During 1965 ----- Way add a number of properties in of the Conseinums Authorities L at 32 Com. l in their land holdings." across due province. Among other r things, the Authorities were to r Wa.y r protect flood plains and build _ t check dams we to protect the populabon from another hurricme. Without the MTRCA, Altona Forest would gave been developed along with PelticoaL Creek valley_ (19%) .FR.m 1960s- A group of young teens 1� 10A from the area decided to build a log cabin. They did so using long standing techniques of mouthing vu° the ends ere. The cabin was a o+�✓' roofless but provided them will a great deal of playing fan. This log luAvA nti. - cabin was s, well build that it g lased in the same spot into One 6 next millennium. Law. 'r" m, ]one 21, 1965- Ining time resident n in the Altona Forest area, Karl H. and Liesbedi Poling appear on the Land Registry book "land owners efn (L 4 b Con. l Lot 32. During 1965 Way add a number of properties in L at 32 Com. l in their land holdings." Dec. 2,1968 -Bernard Burton starts acquiring larger mems of land in Con. 1, Lot 32. According e land Registry hook. Uumam Lana Regis MM 590 Rm5tNE Rae] wWWy 20 to Land Registry records, he eventually ends up with a large number of pmpmdes in this area' There is no evidence that he farmed due Ind or even Used there. Jan. 31, 1969—One of the first companies to appear In the mea Victoria and Gey IDust Co., support purchasing Intl W Can. 1 Let 32. Their fust property acquishmin east them $10,200. Eventually many properties in Con. I Lot 32 will be owned by holding companies, Banka, and other companies, most likely for specWadons Aug. 19,1991 -- Starting on this date there are a number of transactions in me south '%of Con. L Let 31 involving Bernard Burton with Belmyda Investments for funds as low as $2 and a high as $149,900_ Trustee Burton also said property to Terminal Placement Services W.($5 1,000), Lear lovestmems Ltd. ($2), Minerva Development Ltd. ($2), Serbia Holdings Ltd ($2). Handal Krieger ($2), Fortune Smart ($2), Ali" Palmer Ltd. ($2) and Barnes Investments Ltd. ($5). s Interesting prices for such valued Ind. 19]2—Katherine Murray and otherenvironmenmhas started actions to preserve Altana Forest in Pickering. Tney formed a group, called the Friends of Altana Forest, to make an attempt to save aft or pan of the forest. Residents, urbanists and envbonmemal Maps, In by the Ffiends of Altona Forest and Friends of Petticoat Creek, lobbied the government and made numerous presentations in an attempt to point out Lite importance of this area. At this time, the Alone Forest, stmated in the PeNcoat Geek watershed in Pickering, was 130 hectares of astonishing diversity. It bad 30 tree, 40 shrub, 200 herbaceous plant, 190 bad 14 mammal and 15 heritable (amphibians and reptiles) species, as well as 66 vegetrtien communities. June 15, 1972 —Starting around this time a number of landowners sell their properties in Can 1, Lot 32 to Bananas Consolidated Development Ltd. These include Laval St D ruse Brumaire for $2, Swift Camara investments W. for $2, games Investments Ltd. for $2, Bemaid Burton, Belmyda Investments Lid. and Terminal Planning Services Ltd all for an addiuoam $2 and the ' Loud Repmry trot, Durum lmtl many Ofllt 550 Rwolmd Row While - Land Registry tern, UwMm Uod Rwiwy Oft1u, 550Rawlund Rmd Whinny 0 Land Rep9ry blM OwWmlmtl RegLwy Offim, 590 Rnolend Rwd Whinny Bank of Nova Scuta for demand sum of $1!° Aug. 21, 1972 -Swift Current Investments Ltd Sells 10.241 acres of property in the south N of Con. 1, Lot 31 to Bramalee Consolidated Developments Ltd. for $2. On the same day Bramalea purchases 10.286 aeras from Arm Chayko for live sum of $2.11 Aug. 28, 1972 - Brmard loam (Wsrso leads a group which includes Beirut investments Led, Plebald Investments Ltd. and Terminal placement Services Gd, in a sale of 10.030 acres in rise south 55 or Con. I, Int 31 for the sum of $2.° The official price of $2 for many of these pmperdes indicates that Nese companies were probably a part of the Bramahm group of disappointed. Around this time, Bramalea held consultations with both the Town of Pickering and interested parties including Dc 1, Murray Specs and other neighbours. Had they intended in bWldou the forest with no consideration malting time rot altematives to be investigated, and given the political climate of the time, they in all likely hood could have prepared their I land for development by coping down all th Pt ensand quickly draining all the wetands and Nen applying for permits W build According to Vimm Lind, m employee of Bramalea Consolidated Developmrnt Gd. al the lime. "the ecological significance of this land was reinforced to me `N personally on a volt( AlrrnaPoresQ on asVlel artenged in 1980s with Town officials and am ConsWting Landscape Dr. J. Murrq Spews Architect when we happened across an entire field of raze lady slipper orchids. After this, we redoubled our efforts to protect this pamW, studying ways to plan around it and discrimination dumping, ratting and vandalism. l am nor entirely pleased with the amowt of development that was permitted, however, this was done after Bramalw lost control of the land"' According to Victor Lind, Bramalea spent over $1MW on environmental preparation and presumably studies of the area. After the Town designated portions of Alrona Forest for development and in preparation fm building houses m that part of the Almost Forest area. Bramalea started to slowly drain the wet lands within the toren which resulted m damage to some of the natural habitat It was around Nis time that Larry's pond was drained and a water monitor installed near the pond to check the 10 lmtl R glsq book, Omtum Wtl Rcawsy Office, 5% Reeslantl Raatl W aine r� Isndregu book,Owbe dRep ty0ffl,5MR°eflmdRWWW0y 'r Isod Reality book, OarM1am lantl Re®my Offa, 5% R°ssWtl Road Walby rr tarter room V RVa LInJ It 4ty Nmnm tt de ILL9°ry °! AI W nv Fgai 4 uMer W 22 ground water. ITec. 17,1972—Swift Current Investments Uri purchased property in Ne north 44 of Con. l Lot 31 for $52,819,14 Aug. 21, 1992 —Swift Current Investments Ltd. sold its property in Ne north Y of Con. t Lot 31 m Bramalea Consolidated Development LW. for $2. This is the same property it purchased for $52,819, again indicating that Mus was a holding company for Bramalea." Aug. 21, 1972—Bramalea purchased mother proper %a north 54 of Can. 1 Lot from Paul Torok An Joseph Schwaali Partnership Prol for the sum of $2.1e Anothi holding compmy7 Sept. 1, 1972—Bramalea purchased a large amount i property in the north %of 1 Lot 31 from poison J. OI for 32." Un. 31, 1972—Between if date and Feb. 26, 1974, Bramalea purchased three properties in Ne north 9i o Con. 1 La31 for $1, $2 at $1 u 14 Lead Reglslry bank, Ovulum lI'd Jauary Oflim 59D Roseland Road WNtby " Lwtl Re®say bank, Mourn Land Reglury Ounce, 590 Roulmtl Ruud WNtby la Lund Registry bark Uvbamlmd Re®nry Of care 59i amused Rood Whim Ir Imd Registry fork Dwhom l.md Registry ORim, 590 Russians] Rood Whiny 1e Iaod Regjso-y, bem Mahan land lonsoy Ofnq 5% Rwslawl Rmd Whiny 19]3—Pan of Lot 32, known as be Speirs Wo rdim, was recommended as an International conal Biophysical Program region. The recommeMation was made by Dr. J. M- Spers and left McDonald, The area was 154 acres in size. They recommended that the central forest block be preserved along with an outer fringe of young hers. 19 June 30,1973 —Bourdon Consolidated Development Ltd. continued to assemble land in Coat Lot 32 with the purclmse of property Iron Ltd and Temdnal Placement Services Ltd for the total sum of $2.10 April 5,1973 —An interesting envy in the Land Registry book lists "Her Murray Ne Queen" purchasing 5 properties; one from a privme landowner and Ne other four Bom Bramnlea. Oct 4, 19]3— The Banks of Nova Scods sold three parcels Of land each 0.25 acres, WBrmwlea Consolidated Development LW. for $2 a fiscal. During the 19/0s, Banishes and the Bank of Nova Scotia sold property back and loan in Con. I Lot Trout lily, a spring base tradition in Algona 31 and 32 a number of times. This likely had to do Inerest with mortgages and other paper trmsacdmns.n 19]5—Dr. J. Murry Speirs proposes a bind sanctuary in the area known as Algona Fmresta Mooch 12,19]5—Bmmalea Consolidated Developments Ltd. laminates number section of property in the each A of Con. 1 Lot 31 for $1. It appears that Bmmalea had many trust or 19 Biophysical Reiwvca Astt55menl fm Rnmtlee HigM1bush Subdiosim. Dee. l], 1993 M Lentl lsegisay book, Durlwm Innd leegisuy Office, SW Raeelentl RaoO Wltilby i1 Lane Regis" back Dr[Nm Land RegjsTy Off 590 Rosmad Rana Wherry cr Land Reuters back, Dudwm land Regarm, Ofoa, 5% Regional area W iilby nor, NY Pow4 Almm Flow pe1jw1 heotlaehe tae hmslawun. M Wh 29. 1995 g.3 M funding compardes acquiring land for them in the 19105" 1911—Pickering Nalumbets was founded by Dr. J. Murray Speirs, professor of Zoology at Univ noty of Toronto and ornithology researcher who lived on the edge of Altium Forest on Astor Road in Pickering and Edgerton (Edge) Pegg, a local farmer. It was created as a lobby for environmentalists and for natural history study and recreation. In It course of bis trading, Dr. Speirs met many other birders and nature lovers. Iiia students conducted quadrant studies in his woodlot portion of Alterna Forest thus becoming some of first to use this forest for studies. Df. Speirs students divided the south portion of the forest into quadrants and conducted scrupulous studies of the flora and more in each quadrant. Every tree, special plant, bud, insect and moment was recorded and its place marked. Students and scientists now studying Ws rate wild forest w m urban seting can use these records as a basetim of what was there_ It is a reasury for the future. AR of this work helped to draw attention to lie forest as a uniqueeumental area and inspire people to take steps to save the freest him when it was threatened with development. Sept. 14, 1911—Bramalea purchased more property be the south %of Con. 1, Con 31 from Bernard Burton (rustee) with Belmyda Investments Ltd. Piebald Investment Ltd. and Terminal Placement Services Lid. for the sure of .S ,e 1980-1985 — During this time some major diversion ditches were constructed. Ifie, parallel to Rosebank Road, was up to 3 metres deep and lock water from the north xenon and diverted water from a south eastern flow, south to Rosebank Tributary and then on to Petticoat Creek This ditch can be seem from aerial p1mew as well as maps from the time. Rosebank Tributary was deepened to drain Unsay's Pond and other ditches were constructed as wmLu (Sm serial photo with dommumse ditch) I,md assumes, bwk Ourbam lvntl Ressev OtFla. 5%l mshad mean Whinny ss Iced bearers book Dorton Wltl scours Office. 5% Rmflard RMtl Wbiley Wt lu physird Re Wrce As�smenl or noncom t igbWsb Suldiviam, Oea. 1t,1933 u 1982—A report on Alfona Wrest recommended 65 acres of the 330 acre development he saved as parkland n This raommmtlarlon was ignored when the "Preferred" Pim for development was created in 1988. 1982 The MTBCA designated much of be area he an 8nviromnened Sensitive Are t (ESA) after it satisfied four of the seven crimda An area must satisfy one or more criteria for its designation as an ESA. The critena safisfned were: • Criterion 2 c- area functions as a resting and feeding area for pulmonary warblers, osprey, dark-eyedjunc a and wood duck ft also supported large concentrations of winter birds such as the rare Bohemian waxwing and die Gregon more. • Qitencn 4- the mea provided habitat for be red-shoWdered hawk. • Criterh n 5 - the mea has a high diversity of biological communities, including: old EWd; common apple, orcham: cedar woods; cattail marsh; secondary poplardearch community; and dense maple, hemlock, climax commodity. As a result, it favoured the following nesting species: northern goshawk, red -shouldered hawk, great formed owl, saw -whet owl, palated woedpaker. Giber species found there mciude: mffed grouse, boned owl and blue -gray guardedness. • Criterion 6 -the area provided nesting habitat for two regionally rem avian species be red -shouldered hawk and be nobler goshawks 1983—AGalechWeal - survey Plwnxlxn COMMUNITY w.5 soils types and Nus ucaml coram rix 1 indication clear in of so of some of be natural sclmAe v.. W....,, I. �,k ' hismry of thThe "' fire[ thing Natat St$ was was enders was asandy 1 :. silty clay fill which is very ham and dense. ..`, - '•'"' w Siding water persists ® x for long periods of ...�... arse In some wet sites r ) which may conceptualc�.,��., s to depressions th be underlying till, Eva '� 4 ' when active, it is - unlikelygivendcesoils .��........e«.....�...... mY o. a ,,,,e,•w, and NWmge candidate, drat be N The leaPews.IDS111,11 wu Poral MCXnligwenbpmvintlpl ksh.na. 19.1990 m HirJILULISubtivs'xa,Ca.l], 1993 27 area constituted a highly viable agricultural site 39 This description, along with the multitude of racks showing themselves at the surface, would explain the fact that the area was not we best for agriculture and may be the reason Altona Forest was allowed to revert back to a forest and urns become an ecologically significant area warranting it being saved from development. Prior to April 1988 —Prior m this daze the plan for Almna Forest was inchlded is the Highbush Community And. This plan celled for Ne total destruction of Aleoua Forest with the exception of valley lands which already fell under the authority of the MTRG and could not be developed.(See map) .•" April 1988—A "Preferred' Plan of land we in the Alton Forest was presented to dre Town of Pickering Council meeting. (See Preferred Am Map) One of the stated objectives of this plan was "to establish two public urban forests that eocompass lee mentally significant wood lots— one located centrality Road having a mlmmmn area of 8 becomes (20 north), and one located northerly minimum having a um area of 4 hectares (10 acreswood)lots war 4 dad 8 e only ward lots were to be the only marriage of Fired. Thor centralwood lot cooFained black c , sugar couple, while hanwood, haswoeda Reson, w1ete beth, white cedar andwhite pine along with match containing three pians.. mamaThe marsM1 area was a significant does of the The no forest. The north wood lot REFERRED PLAN 11MENt gon8i'w": V �R�1 o Co We Pvknmg Referred Plan am of Alma Forea wonitl to desusiml. m Soil-meneedng Study, 1983 %acriaiam rxr gi em Main open dome m May e, 1989 Pi 28 contained sugar maple, while elm, basswood, ironweod, hemlock and white cedar. Needless to say, the plan caused quite a stir in Ne community. At this meeting the "Modified Proferred" Iznd Use Plan was also presented for comment (see preferred Plan Map). This contained or call for fast t2 becomes of saved Retest which made two sections of woad lotsne central wood rat contained silver maple, sugar maple, whim elm, sugar maple, l wood, while ash, basswood, beech and while b' .ThenoM wood lot remained sugar maple, white elm, uaawood, basswood, whim elm, white cedes and whim pure. Gone were the ttuee significant pmlds. 10DIFIED 2EFERRED PLAN Unitas mu, Frew, Elsewhere in this plan, it statethat d at ^.o; "What isian needed this a !IL ce��ensive oralplanning process; a process that ensures environmentally sensitive plans are mandated into environmental sensitive amions.h The small wood loot were to be used for conservation, education and passive recreation. Environmentalism were not happy. May 31, 1988 —Green Acres femurs environmental impact au dysis was completed. This development was to take place in Int 32just noM of Ne CI railroad tacks. The property r�Wwmtim PNege for Pula[ ON, Hwie M Nery4" 1989 p 1 29 included some of Prominent Creek valley lands Just south of Altena Forest. Its objective was: To mamium as much as possible of the natural integrity of We Petticoat Creek and rented valley lands and other natural functions by planning on the bests of ecological principals."The vauey land ofPmicoat Creek, including that inside Altona ForeM, was already designated as Open Space Hazard Land because a Hurricane Hazel in 1954. m reference to We prospective development hard, it was reported that, like so much property in the area, "The lands in question are providing no financial return to me proponent (owner). The proponent Is seeking a reasonable return on investment all within the terms of reference for developmem." a The one was flat and sparsely segelmed. The contractor took no anion on the valley slopes and built the homes, which were on the plan, Done it was approved by We Town ofPickering A very interesting recommendation m the study which showed some foresight was: Human activity should be concentrated into a narrow corridor where action eon be taken to "race" the carrying capacity and encourage plants having higher tolerances so human activity. Ai mhwav throaeh the valley should he considered by the Town of Pickering or the M. T.R CA. The walkway would direct pedestrian come a way from more sensitive features and provide definite access points to the valley.19 As of 2008, no wail in that area of Pemicoat Cteek has been eardel sbed. May 4,1989—A public open house was held ro discuss the Land Use Study of Alton Forests' One interesting map in this document showed We ownership lines and it became very clear that We developers owned the vast m joriry of the Pored with some homes on greensick and larger private nares on Altona Read Many of Were residents were amHous to subdivide and sell all or soma of their property to the developers, a. J. Murray Sperm was not happy with the token wood lots in the Town of Pickering's plans. "A forest is more than a collection of trees. It is a living community with flowers, and ponds with singing frogs and fatty shrimps and a mullimde of creatures large and small, something new and wonderful with each passing season. Let us preserve as much of Akron Forest as we cr aYw or Grcen Acrte lYWres Povimnmmlal lmpux Analyse, geheretl (w Gmnl Monte by Hurryisranwas & Assocuo-s Ioc., IentlsspegrWIca, May 31 lam 33 Green Acres Ruses Envircamm1a1 WorsoMuslim. formed for GwtMwrin by Hurry Knockers& Aawciam be. Lartlxape Aremoc v, May311988 ° Gran Are$ Eeuw Eav4comemM Ingo Malyes, pwparW for cartoons "Horry Kw'uYvaz& Aewciarea Nc„LanJmepe Artblcec¢, MUYJI 1988 chAnnaon Pohrye for pubs[(yen Hwx on Mayi. 1909 16P mew as News A6wtieq EJlwaal - See th! aalne5 (a 31.1990P 6-A 30 Jmm 6, 1989—lickenag Town planners presented a draft proposal to Council Por the Altura Forest lands, which was discussed a the May 4" scenting. This plan included low density housing, two schools, a park open space areas and an urban latest which still totalled only 12 hectares. Regional Councillor Doug Dickerson, who chaired the meeting, said the price lag may reach as high as $IS million fm pmt of the forested areophe 12 hectares)" He added Rent "We Must get Innovative waft Ree funding "N The proposal was accepted in principle. June 23,1989—Pickering Council vetoed suggestions that local environmental experts participate in a study of the Altoua Forest areh instead, an outside environmental consultant was to be hired h evaluate proposed land uses based on the Town's planning report passed on June 6. De Ran Comoro of the International Wildlife Coalition suggested than area rwNenl a_ Murrey Speirs assisuhe town to clothing terms of reference because "nobody has more information on the ecological requirements of the Altoua Formal." Dale Hoy, president-elect of Pickering Naturalists volunteered his group to assist as well. Councillor Maurice Rrennes urged that offers of help bes accepted but ecumfl voted against it. IfaReedne Murray of the Reugemomt Date North Ratepayers' Association urged the council to "give the area as much study as possible." Mayor AMurs said Reat should the consultant recommend no development occur within the area, (very unlikely) me 'Me town will evaluate the situation again. We have to recognize Ree property, is in private ownership — we're not developing the property. It will be up to the landowner. We'll only be rec ncmens ing something to the region, although the town will make a decision on how to handle the report - 1° Mis double talk left lithe doubt of what was to lake place in Albert Forest. July 5,1989— As Ree issue of Memo Forest became more public, letters to the editor of the local newspapers were getting more common. Lloyd Thomas, Presidents Whilevale and District Residents Association, wrote a letter to Mayor Wayne AMurs and a copy to the News Advertiser which they published. In pan it said 'We cannot continue to destroy thefesesh the) land the creek or rhe logs andom paying the price. The Now Forest is one of the most accred areas of Pickering. Once those lards are gone, they are gone forever. "He argued that the destruction ofAlmna Forest would "open a all developers, all the lands in Pickering; rhe farmlands, Dun's Creek the hamlets. Nothing will be lefrproacred"He went on to give reasons for preserving the fora[ and concluded with, "The mothers of pythevale and district urge you to allowfor afull enviromnenml stony, of the nThenny Pele Study NW ILVwnu rnrt.um,e 14.19e9 e. v "rmsa"sxe snawrtrr. Camddar r, b.wm m Allsoaadmms nae m.t"a,sue<2s, 1999p. 3 AUmw Fo esC19 Nov. 1990—The Friends of Ne Altona Forest was established. Katherine Murray, a Pickering naturalist and member of the Rouge Park commi¢ce, was e of the ofgantoom. This group started working oil ways to save the Forest or as much of it as possible. Nov. 7,1990—An open house was held on this time b present the draft Phase 1 report from Michael Michalski Associates, and to discuss the implications of be results on be recommended Land Use Plan for the Altona Forest study area. The study ecogtuzed be environmental significance of be site and concluded that, although insuffltlenl funds were available for Joe town to aeQuse the entire 130 he mac(, e minimum of 12 ha of the forest should be coruerved"' No change from be Town of Pickerltlg's subsul stance of developing most of be fomsL This observation was in direct opposition to a Inner statement in the report which s1mul 'The results of the field investigation conducted as part of this study confirm the significance of the entire Altona Forest study area (excluding periphatal developed properties), and that duac is wFdawg Newe A&Wa[ Lou, tithe auto, Abu, FortnM n¢ PmplA July 5,1089 N The Albna Forest Are¢Enwonal Menegertsnt Salty Place 1 Report, Michael Muhalsla Awocw%$imc2 Pnimmimg Ud, Ox 19M sufficientjusVficazion on biological grounds to warrant its preservation he conduct Katherine Murray, head of the Nckering Nationalist' Almne Forest amity group and president of me proponent Drive North Ratepayers Association predicted a"tough fight'to save Altona Forest from the developers bulldorcrs. She added. "MI we can do is by our damndest to save it. We're going to scream as loud as we can" She criticized the two alternatives for the forest as put tooth by consultants hired by Pickering "Both alternatives are unacceptable;' she said. 'To maintain the sensitivity of the area it cannot be developed If it's cut into portions, it will destroy itself over a period of time." She continued by saying Naz the consultants only look m the forest firm a landscaping point of view and that a "full environmental assessment of the site Is needed." She accused the Town council of giving the amendments "pre -determined" terms of reference for die study which "are giving developers justification to develop. Council feels it has injured when a developer comes to would be ditYcreat "'t She added rola the Town should refuse development in due forest. Mayor Arthlue reply was thm'St's not Nat simple." He said that landowners have rights to Plastic developmenL 11 the town turned developers away and the Ontario Municipal Board became involved, Pickering would lase all input into development of the areae Kadserme Murray invited 0 interested parties to join the battle to save Altura Forest b call her and her phone number was published in the News Advertiser n Nov. 7. Dec 0, 1990—The Michael Michalstl report on the environmental management of Altona Forest was released on this date. It stated in part that the natural evolution of the Altona For vegetation formations displays characteristics of both the southern Cardiman deciduous and Great LakesSt. Lawrence forest regions, which confirms its transitional or boundary am tum lad. 41 Tim Albnn Pue4 Arte linharim un Manogn2n[ Study Plan I Reps, Mictuel M'elWekl Assmom Sirt¢oe Pnglnann81W,, Dec. 1990 nFiclenng Nen Admdw,., assume; on rot btore Alumn Fowl, Nor. 7,1990 p SA arcovult New, ma be,,, Nmost,"I seat b taro Albin Fm sl Nov. 7,1990 p 5A position with respect to base two major vegetation formations Plants which amchamclenslfc of the bomal forest regions of nonhem Ontario can also be found here," It was also pointed out that Almost Forest is made up of. upland forest communities -uniform cover of white cedar; understorey included toms, enchanter's nightshade, avens, red Insulating, Use hlyof-be-valley, white mmoroot and dogcrumplingvine. lowland forests- surface ponding in concessions which persist into summer, hardwood, hardwoodconder to conifer uppersmfey; trembling aspen, balsam poplar, green ash, silver maple, birch, eastern hemlock and white pine; lower storey includes poison ivy, highbush cranberry, willow, wild grape, Virginia creeper, wild prompt. sedges and some ferns. • secessional forest communities- some field openings with white cedar, while elm, Mudding aspen, green ash and white pine with Scott's pine, apple and pear; lower surrey of poison ivy, sumac, red osier deduced, raspberry and common buckthorn, •secessionist forest -old field complexes- dense groves of white cedar, green ash, white elm and trembling aspen with understarey shelter to secessiorlal forest communities. • wet meadow, mashes and thickets -occur in depressions with high water content and exhibit native hydmphytic plants such as elecampane, bomerel, Joe-pye-weed, sedges, rush, horsetail, bulrush, showy lady -slipper with green ash, white elm, white cedar, red osier dogwood and wiling. • aid field communities -many samples of these communities with Canada goldenrod, tick-uefoil, strawberry, ester, milkweed wild bergamot, cinquefoil, vemh, buttercup, St. Job's won, ox -eye daisy, black-eyed Susan. Queen Anne's lace, dog -strangling vine and yanow.w The report covered many topics which were in other meads and are listed elsewhere in this history. One additional fact is about the species and reptiles and amphibians from Altana Forest. TTere were four species of snakes; gamer, northern brown, red bellied and milk; one Wrote; midland painted and ten species of amphibians; word frog, leopard frog, green fmg, gray tree frog, spring peeper, shams frog, America[ toad, red-spattN newt, yellow -spotted salamander, and red -bellied salamander• In be same report, be Ministry of Natural Resources was quoted as it classified petticoat Creek "cTMNbna FarestArea OnvvoomenW Marugoomm swdy Plow lRepm,Aticltnel Miclutskl Auociecee SimcalTSim<dng l.W..Ds. Men go talons evougI Pnnron990 Menneemu[slutl)'PM1acel nepcn, MtM1ael Miclulsk pasoriaree Slmron GgiMefin& IJ4. iM.19S0 '16 The Nana Forest ituar vaomenW Maiugement Shady Plow 1 RepuM1 Mawr Miclabii Naocia¢s Suisse Isi medag for, Ons. 1990 34 as a warm water fishery supporting small forage fish 47 Dec. 12, 1990—At a public meeting the Pickering Council considered a plan to set aside about 40 acres of valley lands (mast of which was protected under the Conservation Authority mandates) while developing the rest of Altana Forest. The council decided to ask the province to consider an environmental or ewent of the forest. This neither approved jected the planning report but did manage N save the forest temporarily by putting development on hold Angered by the decision, Mayor Anhurs said it was a "non- decision Calling the vote 'pubafte lly mofivaled.' Armurs says councillors 'abdicated their responsibility by not malting a decision. They took no pasNon; they want somebody else to make a decision for them."^n Dec. 10, 1990— Pickering Council heard arguments our both sides of the Altona Forest development question. Mayor Arthus stated Naz "conservative esnmams put a $70 million price tag on the land." To that, Glenn DeBeenenaeker of the Federation of Ontario Naturalists slated "you have to decide how much your fnmm is woM." Council ventrally derided N ask the Minister of the Bnvmmmsn, Ruth Grier, about funds for Ne acquisition or management of Altona Forest. ]Tey also wanted Grier to respond within rued months on the following poins: •review and comment on environmental ises within the forest as may relays to the Greenlands Strategy Report and the Watershed Report • Review and moment on Ns provinces's interest in Ne forest: ♦r Tim Altam Fre r Aad EmAroamoial Mevsanw.nl 9wdy PYSY 1 Repat, Mi@aol Nuristan Aibcia¢a$IIrert G®veering lYL fal 1990 "Fivlumg alas Advance, Alan 6 nowd torn.., Oe, 14, 199n 35 comment on the suitability of the environmenui assessment process as it applies to the forest: and advise whetter there are any provincial funds available for acquisition and management of the forest, and suggest further options open to the town.A9 Dec. 19, 1990—At the next meefing ofc0uncfl, a number of changes were made to the request to the province. The most significant change was the deletion of my menton of an Environmental Assessment, 1991—The Ministry of Natural Resources (MIVR) acknowledged that -me coined biodiversity, of this area is cue in such Gose proximity m an urban centre. - Ism 3, 1991—It was announced that Pickering Town Council asked Environment Minister Ruth Grier if the province wanted to acquire or manage Altona Forest. This request was based on the fact that the Altona Forest Environmental Study recommended the preservaton of this 'biologica0y significant forest w Mayor Wayne Athurs wanted an answer quickly or he wanted a plan to preserve 30 acres of treat and the development of the red to proceed as soon as possible. Was this a ploy by Ardturs to force the province's hands or a way to ednsfer blame for the development of the forest onto them? Feb. 2O,1991—practical: indict and au the dug drainage ditches overflowed after amajor snow melt and heavy min precipitaOcia." March 10, 1991—As discussion heated up about the fate of Altona Forest, Pickering's Mayor Wayne Arthers stared that Pickering could not aRord the now 860,000,000 it would take to buy out the owners Harty Kent MacKay of the Toronto Star was arrayed at Mr. Ardmis comments and stated "U wd can't afford to prolect the handiwork of nature, of God, let's consider the Almost Forest to be a vast machine, built at no cost, to perform certain functions. Ifs a mechanism that produces oxygen. It chugs away providing habitat for raze species of wildlife. it endears; water, purifies it and pumps it Into Petticoat Geek and Lake Ontario, ensuring good water quality and quantity, while helping m numerous fish modules. This machine, better d m my book or computer, roaches life sciences to adversity students and others. This machine is fuelled by sunlight as it pumps out fresh an and wear, plus trees, Flowers, songbirds and salamanders. It stores energy entl produces no waste. It provides entertainment and recreation while eMmcag nearby property values. It somehow menages, within it complex wordage, to insphe and uplift people - not all people - but growing numbers, it provides a coolhtg mechanism in the hem of summer aM adds distinction to the community, but only by dying, apparently, can it appease its a1wwmgNrnA 1,,dW Tow rook P,,vn¢ for manualetlrireanonrg Aluno. Dec. 19, 1990 A-1 raTvonm 9v. Pleae'e reirn Grin to Osoh fiat its 3.1991 51 OiophysicgMou Avsmu tru Bnmakalliph1 Submv6im,ll¢.I7.1993 36 owners"" May 23, 1991—It was announced drat discussions were raking place between the Durham Catholic School Board Bud Bounden W. for the purchase of a portion of its property for the building of school. The property would be part the land designated as Altona Forest despite having very few trees. The public board also stated Nat it placement to build a school in the same area v These announcements sparked much heated debate between the Town, local residents and the two school boards. Spring, 1991- Bob Johnson, curator of the amphibian and repute department at the Toronto Zoo, working in cooperation with Dr. J. Murry Speirs, identified the wet areas of the Altona Forest, which at this time lookup most of bots 31 and 32 He found On wet areas which included wet meadows, marshes and ponds. As of 2004, six of these are housing, two Be greatly reduced by trenches which drain into storm sewers w residents backyards (identified by AFSC for remediation), one is still a wet meadow and one is the restored Ikeey's Pond. (See Map for locations of direct wet amas.) May 4, 1992—More man 30 delegations presented at me Town Council meeting as representatives voted to rearm Almon Forest into their municipal planning process in September." Summer 1992—Bramalea completed its drainage ditches to noun much of the wafer in Altura Forest in preparation for construction. Tie ground water stations were insmlled to monitor Ne ground water and see when Ne area would be suitable for digging basements. One of me '4o�vawsw,weanvmmu�ow.�o�gn �o®regovm auo,usoea.Mar. to.lwt '4e,wnos,u, em.a�rtorcm nemow. nm,so,at. Morn. met p m s*ne Bay News.M]Ukadt9M NMeen,grl,ange rLwleg appemel4 May n. 1992p2 rhainage ditches is clearly seen on Ne 1993 aerial map. Another one, along Rmebmk Tributory, is hidden by the upper storey of meas but evidence of it is preserved today in Aliens Forest. This redndion of the surface and ground water was used by the Friends of Altura Forest w fight against development. They used the the Michalski repot to reinforce their position. "One of the most common impacts of laud development is a lowering of Inial water tables, which in mm am affect the long team viability of the vegetation cover. For example, depending on species susceptibilities, changes in water tables can lead to mortality, poomr bealtb, and /or shifts in plant species composition; such changes could also affect wildlife species."'a This argument was used on a number of occasions and by 2006 as hemlock died and fell over in the forest, the call of 'T told you so;' rug out from environmenmlists and concrmed cruets. Action was demanded to stop the tend. Sept. 16,1992—Ten people, mostly residents on Rosebank Road who wanted in upgrade them homes or sell pmt or all of Oak properties to developers, demanded that council move forward with Ne approvals for a subdivision w Altura Forest. Many sited reasons that a @eeFe on applications as well as ending and severance problems, have shipped them from gating town water and sewer services. John Seats of Rosebank Rd. said his (amity lives under "horrendous conditions" in a soiemnizd cottage with a wet basement, rmfing floors and squirrels in the walls. "Let us provide ourselves with decent living conditions," he said.w AnotherresidemL Frank Albanese, said "Our properties are becoming dumps_ In the time of humanity and justice, eye need to have an immediate decision)" It was obvious that many of Nose present had the objective to "realize their investment in their own property." by selling Fut or all to developers" One resident, poinfing out that building houses provides jobs, asked "what is more imparal saving a family that is on welfare by providing jobs, or saving a family of field Also in attendance were Bramalea and LandfoN Acres Ltd. urging for a decision and dim McCafferty from the Durham Region Catholic School Board. Absent were the environmentalists and Friends of Altona Forest who had made so many presentations to Council previously. It was obvious that they were we not aware of the Rosebank residents plans hi appear at flus mewing. Sept. 21, 1992—Pickering Council, in a vote of 5-2, approved a 1,000 home subdivision in 't T,e Mass Forest Arcs Icomommmbl hbnagemenl Stray Oleic 1 Repan, MiAmil Michalski AI ncNNa SimC[! Engineering W., CK. 1990 1fi1sAYmng flews Adrtnh¢ Ctl an with Alban Fort9@rel,m&wm: area rmden0. Se0.16. two A-1 17Rhwmg News Adonroo menlnpmenl would eml `homotlm¢ mntlilinad. $apt 16, 1992 p. A< IDe Bay News, QygMtly nils Adnan Forms nava deMnpmenl is, shod. Sep. 16.1993 "11, Bay News, lonoGtlyt.s Altona Form smdwwlnpmenl a, used,.Sep. l q 1941 Manor Fishing area with a 47 acre'mban forest' to be saved out of the 330 acres of the foresra 61 This east 'urban forest was staled to provide education and passive recreation. The council chambers were pecked for Ne debate and vote on this implement issue, but only about four dozen people waited from 7:30 p.m. to 1130 a.m. on Tuesday to hear the decision. Over 40 delegations spoke on the issue including Katherine Murray of Rhands of Almaa Fmest who said that town planners had mislead council when they said that no new implantation bad been received about the forest since December 1998. She pointed out a number of provincial reamews which affect the forest and that Nmre al Reameaes Ministry gaff have segment for presentation of the mea as a forest corridor between Rouge and Ihlffims creeks and ultimately Me Oak Ridges Module. Steve Marshall, of Save the Rouge, told council Nal Alton Forest and Me Rouge were connected and partially dependent on each enlist. He stated Nat many other municipathes are trying m restore forested areas which May destroyed and Pickering should not destroy such as resource.62 Janet Foster, MiRCA, also made a submission and smted that the Authority had an alternate development plan that would keep the sensitive pan of Oe forest inmct. She also announced Oat the MTRCA was looking whether it had any funds available to preserve the forest but all this was still in Oe furore and she didn't know, how long it would take. Opposed to the subdivision plan were Councillors Van Kempen and Bremer. After the meeting, Katherine Murray told the newspaper reposers, "This is just the beginning, There we lots of handles to go (before development proceeds)."61 She had urged Oe council m' put development plans on hold so Oat the provincial government could fish considering an environmental assessment of the area. Soon after this meefing. A. Michael Kundo, Board of Directors for the Friends of the Altana Wrest and Petticoat Creek, sena staining letter to the News Advertiser which was published on Oct. 19, 1992. In i4 Mn Kmda accused the council of "dedication he tearing the heart out of the audng wild spaces in Pickering. M sad as it was, it century was not =expected." =d "fn a provincial perspective, this towns leaders are known to be ecologically ignorant. While the majority of Canadian leaders are seeking ro preserve regions of environmental importance, Way=Anions and some council members are so in fond of development Nat they are titemry, 'funding out of the hands of developersii" The li swere badly established for this tight for a}ickaing W,v; Aavmase, AM1an.mptl^ Cl 11. 1 Mp. 14 6111Galne Nowe Adwasa, i iaxarmp to as TO, Aaum PosaakodeuM1mg4onx, lied p4 °j•M1„BryNewe%ehMgrameilbnappwreJerelopmmtollor4u5ep. 23, 1992p t 63Ndewmn6 Nears Adonnow, own, MellriweIg nor Alboa Font, Sept 23, 199E p.A 1 61RCXvinp Hews AtivMiw, larl<rm tb CMimr�Toxnm�e5lM1e{maeon mvirtnmenlulpreannnon, Rt. 19.1932p6 Ancrat Forest Our one side were the developers looking to makes a get deaf of money, Aloorla Forest residents who wanted their properties to mm a profit mid some [own politicians while on the other side were Pickering environmentalists, many residents and some own politicians. Dm. 2,1992—Pickering Town Council considered asking the province to explorea possible land wap with developers who own the Altana Forest. Councillor Kip Van Kempen and Councillor Maurice Bremer, bat of whom opposed development do Almoa Forest, encouraged Me land swap as a cost effiret ve way of saving the foresh65 Oct, 11, 1992—The politicians decided an proceed with Weir calves[ to the province m look at a land swap with developers who owned Aimed Fared, but only in regard to Meurban forest' Already slated for 11th preservation, Councillor Maurice Brenner said Wm the decision' does noting for to envhomnmt' He and councillor Kip Van Kempen wanted a land swap Mat would preserve all Me Wrest lands considered as mvlmnmentallysignifncmt. Van Kempensaidtal"Iftereisall arca for the homes proposed in Me forest, we owe it to the people, Pickering m find it if we have any feeling for conservation whatsoever:' r aaray. Councillor Doug Wellman wanted many He suggested 67 sae'Lrban forest" to be considered for a land swap as he expressed his feelings that too much revenue will be lost to Me Town of Pickering it the Almna Forest development doesn't go through. Mayor Wayne ANlurs came out against We land swap saying "lf we want We province mjerk us around Ali two years, shin (mag ed) will achieve Mat' Ao, Atthis rime,Bremated lord. was Me major landowner in the swap with now19 a res prmNou owning Ig acres. Tho provincial land swap im the now 19 acres proposed for "Urban forcsi' would mean Mat Me To aid not base to compensate We developers by allowing Mem to build higher density homes elsewhere on Me Almtm Forest she. Oct. 12,1992—The Laurelling Post published m mtide by Michael Runda mlledalNule explM gMevassecologiaally Important reasons for saving Altrm Porect. This article is an ascribed d early summary of why so many people felt at sonsingly about Aboard Forest. (See Appeodu B for a copy of the ar icleJar It was at this time tar developers were joining fomes with local trade unions, tabour groups and builder's installations as put pressure on Town Council to permit Me planned developments to proceed The conflict was mandifying. 6 e clanioe News A&wrze. Pie4tla6 to ssk roc Albin Poml hod e W vnge, Qt 2,1992 p J 6sNcw og New, Atwater. Alan, w ri flops. Wr 11, 1992 is 11 11resultsnw.no Rouge -memo Name, 'eThe Alp,, Poem. Int iceeel Rune0.0u 12. ps?a 1 UIf fuec.18,19W —Thu, Town confirmed Nm It bad received development applications for three quarters of the 330 acre Altana Forest. finance; slated to work on road patterns and be environmental management study for be small wood lots.w Oct. 1993 —The natural history of the land is in important As the human history. In fact, the natural history often dictates how people react and interact with the lend. That is be code in Altana postal A Geology and Wisdid Geology, study was conducted in the Albna Forest area. The report pointed out bar be order is within the boquois Plain physiographic region, which represents that portion of the Lake Ontario basin which was inundated by glacial meltwater during the recession of the Wisconsman Ice sheet some 12,000 years ago.. The shoreline of ancient fake htquois is located to be north near Concession 3. The boquois Platy consists of land inundated by the glacial lake which foaled following the cancer of the lake Ontario ice lobe. The shoreline (noM of Agenda Forest) is composed of beach sands and gravels. The slope of me burnous lake bed is relatively subdued due b the combination of smoothing of the glacial till by wave whom and the buffing of depressions by sediments m This explains why Altana Foran has such a gentle slope from north to south. Test holes were drilled in the Almon Forest men with the following results bxlmck was not encountered in any of the drilling Qlespest hole 16.8 metres; 55 below low does it outcrop near the site. • underlying bedrock Irradiation is blue -grey shale formed during the Upper Ordovician Paroad and is part of be Blue Mouoraw Formation. the majority of me site is cadmium by a dense glacial fill, generally encountered within 60 can of the surface in most mooted meas, that pre -dales glacial Lake boquois and is (mown as the Flaton Till. The till is very dense and compact allowing very title water to percolate down or flow through except m some fractures which are not more dean 2 in below the sumace. organic soils were found only around moneor-less paramount ponds a(3 in the present este of Allona board and 4 more in the portion which was developed) These observations confirm that 0e topsoil is thin and the underlying till is hard and prevents the trots of acres from shading deeply into be ground Water has difficulty, being absorbed lab be water table but mans off slowly due to the gentle slope of be bond. The soils in the men me silts and clays with some foams or clay loams and not very good for successful agriculture in most areas. 6BPictrnnr Nen Atlretixr, AMwFOMtlerelopmenrvslry Mxr. �.1g. 1990 69 The Ah®a Rom Amu Cnvtrmmeninl Managenwnn carry PM1sce 1 Repro. Michael MiclWrkl Avou nns $latae EagiMlnug ltd. OR. 1990 ra Hytlmgmlegy of the Duareva Iighbush Ubdiesiou, OCL 1993 41 0 ¢yS 1696 fi...,,F,I..- nIl 1 0 The shallow pembeA groundwater system does provide some seepage discharge to Petticoat Creek via shallow firwa ras in the 011;71 Feb. 12, 1993 —It was announced today by Pickering Regional Councillor Kip Van Kempen, Nat the Provincial government was close to making acommitment of$IO wadhim to save a pan of Alma Forest from development. The Town and Pickering and Region of Durham were expected to contribute around $I million to the project When Katherine Murray of The Friends of Altana Forest was told of the decision her reaction was "What? Oh my Cwd. Holyjumping. Wow! What shock. Wow! I dont know what to say, I'm speechless."n March 1, 1993 (week o¢ MTRCA adopted the proposed Alters Fares[ provincial pumhau plan as an acquisition project." March 8, 1993 —Pickering Council approved the road parent plan for the development of Alton Forest. Regloml Correction; Kip Van Kempen, Maurice Bremer and local Councillor Eileen Higdon voted against the scheme. lie road pattern calls for three north / seen madways through the Ahom Forest area which would allow landowners to develop that properties independency dram each ether'° and the developers to build nearly 1000 homes. April ],1993—It was reported that Councillor Doug Wellman wrote to the provincial cabinet suggesting the province can't aHmd the $IO million to save that of Aftma Forest In the Inver, CouneBlor Wellman stated "Frankly, the Town needs the levies of this development to meet its future financial obligations," and "Then, there rs the tissue of) ongoing management of be property. It namely is used as a dumping ground, haven for teenage parties and dirt bike competitions." and forther that be provincial government has"done more than Mayapple. its share of land conservation or Pickerwg"He went on m insult the Miwsty of Natural resources and MTRCA staff, who have reported on the environmental significance of the site, As "young, idealistic biologists who can find noble reason to protect every species of cower and vegetation esm shemT" The letter angered Councillor Kip Van Kempen, who sat on beMTRCA board and who made the announcement of the $10 million provincial support. Hewmte a memo to Mr_ Wellman swing "h will be unforgivable if your actions, in the absence of public debate, hurt our chances of this gift from the Previous. am Ir famphysiN ReswuceAssasmmtft, Bmmaka Ighbmi, Spblview. Dor p, 1993 720ctuing Noxa Adwhi F ormov may sen Allonv Faint hb. 13, 1993 is 1 oThe Bay Nexa. Alban Preen road plans app wri dvlele p1mr,i inn Wopmal. Masa 10.1993 p.3 IiTe Bay News. Albnv Fonu road plain oppmM d"gw pnarvalloa m1pywl cash 10. 1993 p.3 olickenng News Adw, um, GumiWr WeBmm, nip Bapam lowering Antos Fmmt Wet April 3, 1993 p.1 A 43 livid.'^` Long rime supporter of saving Alone Partial, Katherine Murray of Friends of Ire Altona Fundal, called Mr. Wellmati s letter "silly. That's his opinion; it's outdated. It's probably dated about 1953."" While all this was going on, the Town of Pickering was proceeding with development applications waiting for a final derision from the province re lending etc.. When the letter was leaked to the residents' groups and the press, Mr. Withers softened his position, saying he would support the preservation of the forest H "wrinkles' were worked out. April 11, 1993—In an interview with the Pickering News Advertiser, Councillor Kip Van Kempen relayed that the council would soon meet an, shadow me suggested provincial $ 10 million acquisition of 160 acres of tire 330 acre Almon Formal. He fell that the proposed deal with Bramalea Ltd. could fall Nrough unless Pickering gave its approval. The deal was arranged with Councillor Van Kempen and Mayor Arthurs met with the Premier on April 9'". The MTRCA would receive the money which No mm they would use to purchase the site. Additimal funding was to be managed from the Town of Pickering and the Region of Dudnan7i April 10, 1993 — Ward 1 Weal Councillor Doug Weimar, in an interview N The Bay News, criticized fellow councillor Kip Van Kempen for his alleged "refusal to work with his colleague add said that his use athe media No make announcements before they go in Commit may be leopard irim a deal to "one Pickering's Almna Forest" and "He's sm MTRCA representative and he doesn't work with us;' and fuller "if Van Kempen is 'going to put a gm to everyone's beard' by asking for support without providing all of the information Ihen'I don't see how council can support the thing.""' In response Van Kempen assured The Bay News that 'he'll proceed slowly and cautiously in an effort to gain support for the plan from council" He also stated that the issue was discussed at a previous meeting and more information would be provided m Council U the next meefing.0 April 18,1993—The Ontario Municipal Board approved die plans to preserve a part of the Algona Forest Under the terms of the approval, ole MTRCA and the provincial Ministry of Natural Resources had two years to purchase the approximately 66 hectares (163 acres) aforest to be prot¢led xl April 19,1993—The Town of Pickering Council met to vote on the $10 Neutron acquisition of 16Pioxnng Newsisiom f¢Cowienawwoumm nip torso, p,m[rvieg Atbnn FwwrwW,Am13,1993 r3 11Re4wg Neo Adwaiscr.Cnnnunns Vid"winip nnWe, pmerrvq Nbna Fors, s drAPN3.19mr.3- 1XP'e4vNgNwsAavWsv.Albm Poem Nm Li tnWPApv111, 19Y3P.1 _ 19ITe ivy News, Counril"intlnrY'regnNinPAlnona FartstPivn: Wtla,m Aril l<. 1993 p5 xxih IIaY NewFCnimell "waoN'regnNinp Alnunv Rone'1 plan: NHlmun Apll rdIual pi bRYecna News AA'e,isa.A row Forest new orlanme Ewe, Vico Ai it 19, 1993 p.1 160 acres of Altona Forest for a pnvvuve.n Steve Marshall of Save the Rouge Valley System said the ecological importance of the Miens Truest "is not jug a Mediating issue... The province has offered you a gift. Would you dare tum this doom?"° "We applaud tha efforts and offer our commendations to all involved," said Katherine Mummy of Friends of the Altorm Forest prior to the vote." ' The proposd was approved unanimously, however, people who owned small parcels ofpmperty in the area to be acqutred retained rights to development if the government failed to come forth with additional funds to purchase Nair properties. Coumll agreed that if the individual properties were not purchased before the deal went to the Ontario Municipal board that the owners would renin residential wiling on their properties in protect their property values. Councillor Rick Johnson complained that "the IiNe guy got left auf' but Councillor Van Kempen argued that developers were compensated first because they owned 110 of the 130 acres to be protested. He old Commit and those present, that the Memo Toronto and Region Conservation Authority was committed to raising the money to compensate smaller landowners n Only Comc0lor Maurice Bremer opposed the clause retaining readmitted zoning in the forest, arguing than "it makes a scam of the whole process. If you support the acquisition, you've got b support it to the end" Lata at the same meeting, Council approved plans for a 591 home Bmmales subdivision, be be built m am area of the forest not designated for praeminn" Community groups counting to oppose the planed development add made plans to present their objections at the Ontario Municipal Board. April 23, 1993 —MTRCA held a meeting W approve the purchase of put of Altana Forest when tl1Plcblv6 NewsAdvMim. AIWIa Pvml rv@ iu 4mEv.Apil t1.1W3 µ 1 NPic4 'ng NeaaAtlmtia,AM1vna Pvra p�wemrivewtre Tvrn OK. ApN21,1933 OAdxnng News AtlSMSQ,Atlane Pura1 pmernfivv,rim Tarvn OK, April El, IM3 "5Rekuing News Ad iew Alrvvepvpervvhvppreved, V1121,19p3 si4n"vg News AO�ndwi, AlbmpaperwvekapprvrN, Apu21, 1993 the $10 million was received boor to pmvwce. a' July 21, 1993 —A multi-million dollar deal to save me Alohw Forest from becoming a subdivision was approved by Queen's Park. The news was confirreed in a letter he fie Town of Pickering Into the MtRCA. It was also announced that the Town of picketing was going to be asked for a contribution to help ways firs, $10 million grant to the needed $138 million to acquire the pmpelaies. "It's going to be tough," predicted Pickering Councillor Kip Van hempen, a member of the MTRCA board. "People are going to be looking to Pickering m set the paceit will make for goad debate if someone suggests Pickering shouldn't contribute anything." In an earlier report, Town tmosarer Jim Walls, suggested picketing contribute $400,000 in two Installments, to be paid t 1996 and 1997 But a contribution "won't mean a tae increase;' promised Mayor Wayne Antras. "Definitely not."The Town has funds for parkland acquisition In a reserve account, but they are not specifically earmarked for the A1mna Forest-" Sept. 16, 1993—At a press conference in Attend Forest, Howard Hamytoa Naulml Resources Minister be the NDP government, announcedthatit would give $10 million in purchase 53 becrares(13l acres)BfimMior AltonaF eslrnaneffonmprotectis (13heetmnsof Penlcoat Creek valley lends were dedicated as pan of the purchase). Decimal West MPP Jim Wiseman and MTRCA announce Bill Granger were also in snendance. It was announced that the MTRCA will "hold title to" Bud manage the lands. Mr. Granger said, "We believe this is a wonderful mandate for people m enjoy nature right on their doorstop. We're very already committed to preserving this forest as an minor commissar " He later said that trade could likely be introduced at some point and that to Conservation Foundation of Greater Toronto, a fundraising arm of the MTRCA, was working toward acquiring four becomes of property known as the Speirs wood lot, located in fie southwest comer of me Altona Forests9 The MTRCA was tasked wit raising additional money from the federal and regional governments and Pickering to purchase some of me surrounding properties. Katherine Mwray's response to fire news was "Its superb: we're veryhappy. We're getting much closer to our odglal goal, which is protection of to entire forest It's like an commit painting," she said. "If you offer to purchase an original Rembrandt, you don't purchase just half." She added tat environmentalists will keep fighting to preserve to entire foresbw Ib. Spehs' dreamed of Altona Forest as a sanctuary for wildlife was a huge step closer. The Friends of Ailing Wrest renamed concealed about potential impacts from development surrounding me forest. mYapsm,g News AEvuliaq Alwna Porcp re@ m 4mLo. APN 11,1993 P.1 92Rivalledco,,Adv,dI A hour Fares In 1,m,l] Illy 31. I WI PSA wed Bay Nees, Allow ie n done net Sep 7; 1993 wHchxma Nem An mver Asell never to Nysten. Start 9,1993p I 46 Nov. 8, 1993-1n a surprise vote, Pickering Town Council did not approve changing Nedistrict development plans for Altona Forest to reflect the provincial sevubition of apart of Almost Forest- The vole left in met the mightal plan which called for a very small'urban forest and housing in most of the forest. The vote was a resole of Councillor Rick Johnson lambasting of Queen's perk for giving money for the developers but not for the resident landowners who still want a financial offer. Mr. Johnson said Nat'Mey bailed mut the big developers - this is great - and lel the poor little guy come womplandng) to crunch.- Councillor l p Van Kempen once again pointed out that the developers were dealt with first because they owned the mush property. The MTRCA was looking for another 0.8 million form other sources including the Town of Pickering and the Region of Durbam, to finish off the acquisition of land and for other expenses. He defended the Authority's handling of the simetimn. picketing deputy director of planning, Tom Melymuk, pointed out that the modificumus to the district plan would have eliminated many of the issues that concerned local pounds intended m bring before the 0191 This left the whale process in a slate of confusion but it was a common belief that the issue would be discussed again at the next meeting. 9111UISMg New, Ad,,m,r, Almon Fume prpv++nrk mneea, Nov. 19, 1593 p 0 47 Nov. 15, 1993— Paperwork reflecting provincial acquisition of the envtronmertaBy significant Altona Forest was finally approved at a council meeting. A provision in allow private landowners rights to develop if the government did not buy them out was also passed. Councillor Maurice Former opposed this clause saying Ne moil should support Ne provincial plan to the end. At the same meeting, plans fm a 591 home Bramale t subdivision, to be built in an area of the forest not designated for protection, was reaffirmed by council. Community groups contained an protein and promised m fight this development at she Canaria Municipal Board n Dec. 13,1993—We a request for $1.25 mllion from the MTRCA up for vote, Wand 2 Regonol Councillor Kip Van Kempera suggested aISM,000 arllounl paid over four years for the land purchases involved in saving Altona Forest Mayor Arthus' opposition win displayed in his statement Thal "t feel no particularobligation to acquire additional property, are Town has no interest ii "' He later stated "I hope when all is said and done we will be seen as responsible pannus in Ne project 1 am prepared to assist m a modest way'We It was once again pointed out that Ne parkland reserve find, money paid by developers in Ne form of cash in lieu for parkland, could be used as a souse for line money, Wool Regional Councillor Rick Johnson, reacted angrily towards the suggestion the the town contribute money to Ne proposed purchase, despite the money was reserved hottest such purchases He called Ne $10 marks provincial contribution to preserve Altona Forest a "political announce' and suggested the money could have been beture spent onother eravimnmemally- senslYve properties and community projects.95 With majority suppon. including a reluctant Mr. ohnson, Pickering Council's executive committee decided to follow Town treasurer Jim Walls suggestion and ford $W0,000 toward ire purchase of environmentally significant Altura Forest, The funds came from ire Town's parkland reserve account so that no special funds were needed. They money Bass designated to buy specific parcels of property marling 21 acres, owned by residents, to add to Ne preserve of Altana Forest % 9„"+u,va News Ativmifee Albnx papemxek xpP�^wa,Nw.lt, r99) 9>rt.nivg New, Mwtixv, Tom ,,1Rt,dean, symtlilg xx Amm Foml Dec IJ. 1993 94Tr Bay News, Tom MAY to pve LUUAUU1owvNe.Vbre Foms "mhose, Da.152,1993 91nw Bay New[Town may n01, NOOAiin mwic, A11ou renal jsnchae. Dn-152.1993 csAkv,19 News AL'Wttn. Alone roml rwtlmg appmvai le, 15, 1993P A4 Dec. 20, 1993 —The recommendation from the executive committee for funding was brought before the whole council at Weir meeting on this Monday. Knowing that $400,000 was Cloudy approved, the MTRCA asked for $800,000 from We Town as they were trying to raise $3.8 million needed to supplement the $10 million from We government, Councillor Rick loartom pointed mut Nat this diamond funding is ear marked by We MIRCA m purchase more land Wm Pickering badinmindfortheMWne Forestmd`mdthiswoaldcutlam pewupma land earmarked for development. There we services in there and land is ready W be developed"'^ Of Comm it would cut into development land. That was We whole idea, The suggested $400.00 was discussed. Craig Meurer from the MTRCA argued for an increase to $720,000 which he said would encourage Durham Region and private sources to male large contribution. He pothrod outthat We provincial government normally funds only 50% for such projects and the grant of $10 million was unusual and showed Or importance of the Moore Forest. "I don't want anyone W thick want to pave everything over." add Mr. Johnson He added, "We've done our share to preserve green space, We have We Greenwood Conservation Area and the Claremont Conservation area"as Mr. Van Kempen spoke about "doing our share' but eventually We recommendation of $400,000 was passed. Dec. 10,1993—Rothma 's report on its revised development area, predominantly in Jot 31, smiles that "The majority of the proposed development ares is old fieldlearly secondary succession habimt in m abandoned agricultural seting. The more sigrdfcant mature habitat areas have been preserved in We proposed PmeslPreserve.19 Although technically we, Wey faJedm mention Nal they, and mother developer, owned much of the'abandenedagriculWml land and Oat might have lad an influence on it being no longer fesmed. Also, a large section of We MIRCA's environmentally sensitive area with three ponds and mature trees was included in their proposed development area. Spring 1994 —0r. J. Murray Spells conducted another deiaved territory mapping of breeding birds in Allows Forest. He used the data to compare with We results of similar studies in 1949 and 1950. He conducted further studies in 1995 and 1997 and with We help of Doug Lockrey, additional studies in 1999 and 2000. rcNov,va No, Adwmm, floating w, clean WWtion b$CWC, Dec 321933 V. 5A �Pakmng News AOmrlur, NO,ennge�ns romr mnrrieulion lo$GWG, Rc13, 1933ry 5-A w BiogayeMnl Reewrcc Aseessmvr lm mrertuka HigM1busM1 SUMivlsian, Cec. li, 1993 49 April 9,1994 — The Obtain Municipal Board approved We plans to preserve 66 becomes (163 acres) of Altona Forest and to allow We rest to be developed with low and medium -density housing. Not all We designated me as acquired, probably because of increased costs. "It's a may positive decision for Pickering," said Mr. Carroll,Pickering's director of planning.mu Alrona Forest Urban Forest came into existence officially on this date. Altura Forest now included 131 acres or 52 hectares which represented 39,7% of the cright forest. This was nowhere near the amount of environmentally sensitive area which the Friends of forest and harm 10 Ame Forts. Altana Forest hoped to save, however considering the Pickering Preferred Plan called ferjust 9% of the forest to be saved it was still a great victory for We environment and was recogwed and celebrated as thar Sept. 1994—The Forest Edicts Management Plan for the eastern boundary of Alrona Forest was sughtmed to We Town of Pickering. The plan included feucing, access, hazard Vee removal, grading, drainage and countries planting. Feb. 24, 1995 —MTRCA approves We purchase of 3.9 acres of the Dinardo property for $687,580 (over $176,000 per acre) plus $18,000 in legal and planning costslol pending conclusion of imperious with IDR Dbari . Match 29,1995 —Negotiations far We purchase of 3.9 acres of We Dmaore property, continued between We MTRCA (represented by Don Prince) and Julie Albanese and her brother Louis Durable who owned 10 acres in the soon portion of Alrona Forest near the location of Strouds Daae and Altona Road. so June 23, 1995—The Forest Management Agreement was finalized and amended on March 9, 1996. The agreement gave the Forest legal protection, In perpetuity," which prevents it fmm being pound into lust another city park. The definition of"in perpetuity' was up for discussion in the years W come as members of Town and nen City Council chose to define it as around 5 or 6 years. The actual definition he "The Wary or condition of being berpemaq time without end; modify Pow Ril,oiza Nex,a AdmIl",Am,u Fmvr rataor hwm; em nae. Atilt 10. 19M repass Bay Nem. Ahm, Fm aPmjxr had d, tae lmdo"o,. Mmaa 29. 19959.8 ro.Tba Bay Nem. Antro 6mal Prof"[ aaduae far lMBowhm. Much 29.1995 P. a rob Ansaen.cam at 50 Sept. 15,1995—Luigi DI ,GiWiana Albaneseand Concuta Dmudotrnsferred Pans3 and 4 on 40R-16478 to The Metropolitan Toronto and Region Conservation Authority for tM sum of $750,000. (A lithe mare than originally approved by the MCA.) This land acquisition completed the south portion of Allona Forest north of Strouds Lane.1ar The Densities sold their west side an, Nonlwar for development while the east side became pmt of the 1. Manny Speirs Ecological ReserveofAlmna Form. March 29I 1996 The Alton Forest Environment Management Pian was completed and included protection and restoration objectives for Ne forest. The main goal of the plan is to ensure the longterm protection of the ecological Intapdty, of Allona Forest. The plan mum ed acceptable recreational uses for Allona Forest. Passive and non -intrusive outdoor activities has are compatible with the somal environment are accepted ho& li l'ng, leashed dog walking, bird watching, wildlife photography). Active area m rhe forest (e.g. mountain hgdng, camping, vehicular traffic, mc.) are not permitted. In order m minimize negative cumulative impacts through human disturbances, the management plan holds access to specified halls, as well as other provisions to protect vegetation and wildtife.1w The report pointed out that Alton Forest has interim forest habitat and is pan of the less than half of one percent of this type of wooded habitat remaining l the GreaterToronto Area. Fire specific goals of the Management Pim were listed con(See Map of border forest is Alton) 1. To protect and maintain the Allona Forest Property 11. To protect and maintain the natural ecosystem of roe Alton Forest property In. To esmblish and protect the J. Mormy Speirs Ecological Reserve as a natural ecosystem for passive ienfiftc and lay field studies. IV. To conserve the area ae0lograd features and when appropriate allow investigative research and interpretation of these mamres- V. To promote opportunities for public education about natal heritage and appropriate public use in the Altana Forest Property that current the use or the scosystem.106 Interior Forest in Altor a May, 1996 — Dr. 1. Murry Speirs (a well Imown troubadours, retired University of Tcromo In' Intl Reglsay Moh,Oudmm land Registry Offies, 590Rmslaud RoeE W1ti0y as Alma Farm Cana lry Nanelemr. Rpt 199%VoI.1,No,I "a Alwu mass OOWrwwvW Management Plan, 10TRCA Maran M. 19% professor and furore recipient of the Ordar of Canada) discussed the generous donation of a large product of We own lands (28 h sclared in MCA as pat of a larger ,.ecological reserve, within the Altera Forest. Negotiations between Dr. Speirs and the 'IBCA resulted in the donated land becoming the heart of the appmximntely, 10 htttae I Murray Speirs Counci ieal Reserve which IS not open to the public and is used for passive scientific field studies by environmental scientists; June 6,1996— Dr. John Murray Speirs and his niece, Rosemary Speirs, msnsfemA parts 2 and 3 on 4OR-16568 an The Metropolitan Toronto rand Region Conservation Authority and thus comment the Edwards property to the rest of Almna Forest, for the sum of $2. Considering what ether landowners received for Neu property, this 'gift' was indeed generous and in keeping wile Dn Speirs lave and dedication to the environment and his life long interest in birds which nowouIf coni visit -- AltersForestNgreatnumbers TRCA ympertyssquifi[iwf forAl[m[v Pm2a. in safety. It was in his pourer, that the J. Murray Speirs Ecological Preserve was established in the sentiment pan of Albert Forest 'm 011ier pans of Altana Forest which continued to be owned by 6ramalea were prepared for development. Many other landowners sold their property to dr uralea to emarge the development lar I.md Reyisay bcok, Barbaro Land scieLy faces, 390 moslaad Reed whims 52 1997 - Wish approximately half of Algona Forest protected, the developers mused their attention to me pan of the forest approved for development. The Friends of Adman Forest coordinated plant and nee reaches which were ongoing and 1998 when all bac the south portion was surrounded by development. The residential development of a large part of the original Alrona Forest resulted in the loss of approximately 26 of the 66 vegetation communities and 13 partial communities which included an eastern while cedar forest and associated wetlands, three amphibian ponds, a large wet meadow, an old -field complex and several commandoes of lowland, upland and succession but Aug. 20,1997 -Barbara Rivett sold Pan 1 on plan 40r-9866, the mangle in the extreme north, m The Metropollimrr Toronto and Region Conseryal Authority to expand Altova Foran The selling price was $213,000, as While all this was going on, the inhabitants of Altana Forest continued their return development. There were a few foxes in the forest but the chymbes drove many of them out. A small herd of white 0ed dear accused freely but were being crowded into the horst by continued surrounding development. The deer were so hungry they have nearly destroyed the forest floor Flowers, which they have grazed repeatedly. By 2W8, much of me spring flowers like William, have berm destroyed by the data This is less the deer's fault and mom themesult of lessened area to fees. Eventually the number of deer will diminish in a level more in keeping with late size of the forest. It soon became evident that as neighbours' pets were allowed to son freely in the forest, they Farmed the forest wildlife. Cats have killed many birds and residents needed to ba educated. Alrona Forest was saved from development but would surrounding ---- development sulldestroy it? f wat. ID, 1997 - watercourse ofR RCA received an application for under allocationM d the watercourse of Roseba on is Tributary where it sons ander Shrouds Lane.t over Retauutary also included thane. sego were appved Rod plantatehibumry onSwuwsdane. Therewereapproved and west proceeded. ributalloweddevelopment offnerStrouds to lanewest orrgersm o hibmeBarrary proved tobeabattierto medium et larger animals in the forest which now had to cross the madtogetto evaconumem part of Altova forest and m petticoat Creek Conservation Area. June 1999 - Dr.Spelrs contacted Doug Dimity, with the assistance of Heather Jessup, to walk along 101 oo0 fool survey wboozi tun tam Reat back. DmMm laid Regivvy Office, 590 RwMavd Road WNtby las Land Reines back, Isiman Isnd Regkny Off , 590 Rooland Road Manny 53 lines, in We J. Murray Speirs Ecological Reserve. Throughout Ne month of June they identified birds by their songs and inserted the specific buds on a grid, enabling Dn Stream to estimate the numbers of nests in the forest. Sept. 1999 — Vol. 1 Number t of the Alone Forest Community Newsletter was distributed thus month to Humana, community members who expressed and interest in the forest and to those residents who live on streets which bolder on Allona Forel[. It started with "Yom home is shouted next to some of We most environmentally significant land in Pickering: We Allona ForesCn'° The newsletter went on to explain more about the 52] hectare forest door Envhonneentsl Management Plan, Stewardship Guidelines for Neighbours of Altana Parsed, Natural Landscaping for those close to the forest, including recommended trees, shrubs, wildFlowers and ground covers, and contact information if may had questions. Dec. 1 1999 —The Allona Forest Stewardship Committee was officially established who representation from the TRCA, Pickering Naturalists, Ministry of Natural Resources, Friends of Allona ForeH, leachers, students and concerned citizens. The first meeting look place on this dale at Duabamon High School, Pickering. The meeting discussed We tele of Ne Stewardship CmmmiuCe and a Draft Terms of Reference was drawn up. Their Intonate was to help manage We forest mid give recommendations to We TRCA for whabifitation projects. The committee continues to monitor the lends within and surrounding the pmtuted mea of the forer, W consult win We TRCA and other agencies, such as We Toronto Zmas to make plans for We coloratura and improvement of We forest envirorwend, to write grant proposals for projects and W insist with the implementation of Minna Forest Enviromnental Management Plan. The Stewardship Committee has applied for and received grants from TD Canada Trost Friends of We Envbonmead, Contain Power Generation, The Toronto Zoo and We Trillium Foondation re many out rehabilitation and Nterprentive projects m Altana Forest. From 1999 to 2008, We Altona Forest Stewardship CoInmihee has engaged in these resonance or improvement projects and other ongoing activities: • holding (bur or more stewardship meetings each year; • organization of an Altana Forest clean-up day name a year; • publication of an Altana Forest Newsletter one to two Home a you; • development of a 5 km long Ira system with merarmetive poses and signs; building of boardwalks over sensitive or wet *m Decks or Lecey's PoM pro Altana Fcaeu mmmunlay Newslena Vol.I No. l SW.1999 experimentation with various procedures for One removal of invasive species such as commoNFuropean budahom and dog strangling vine; •removal of icvasive plant species (on-going); • development of plans for the rehabilitation of lacey's Pond; • construction of a berm and other measures to effect the partial costuming of Iseey's Pond which has attracted wood frogs and mallard ducks back to the forest; • construction of an observation deck at lacey's Pond; • development of educational programs and inerprefive hikes amended by local students, scout and girl guide groups, and members of the public (on-going); • addition of parking facilities off Altooa Road on old fano drive way; • placement of had rest benches at various locations; development of imupremtive and educational guides for Altana Foresq organizing additional use rescues tram One south when developed was started on the exlension of StrourPs Lade; addition of picnic tables near the parking lot mail safety monitoring (on-goug); institution of an Adapt -A -Trail program whereby residents adopt a pound of the trail to monitor and to do basic nomination (on-going); development of fire fighting svnegie; Or conjunction with me Pickering Fire Department (on-going); cooperation and communication with the local palmic, which has almost eliminated vandalism and other illegal uses of the forest because of police visits and aerial surveillance (on-going); archaeological surveys and studies ofsignifcant areas; • continued development and up -keep of a web site, algarrerwoug. ]Tis site has photos and paintings of Altars Forest contributed by local residents, downloadable total guides and much mare (on-going); monitoring of amphibian species in %e forest (on-going); and monitoring surface and ground water as part of me ongoing study of the impact of urban encroachment on plants and animal species, the uncommon of animals within the forest, the stability of animal populations and the effects of changed dmlmage upon trees (on- going) Fumm plans include; • the construction of a pond in ate uain part of the forest specifically designed to attract other species of areaphibia s back to me forest (2008), • updating of the bail nntl interpretive booklets to incorporate the new pond (2009); • placement of additional interpretive signs (2008 -?); and • restorvion of water retention mons (NOS-?). • adding a link from the parking lotto she south of lacey's Pond; • mapping existing mads in the section south of Sbouds lsne(the pan handle); creating an interpretive trail in the south section of the forest (the pan handle). Part tR-2090 W 2009 Lou 25, MOO—The second Alto m Forest Stewardship Commidee meeting took place at the library of St. EliubeN Semv Catholic School at Pickering, At this meeting Katherine Moray was selected as the first chain of the AFSC. Spring 2000—Using international standards and guidelines, a standard territory mapping protocol was devised and an accurate 30 in posted grid was placed in the 9.9 ha farest plot of the Sports; Reserve by a professional surveyor. A standard protocol was applied to the interpretation of the detailed mapping data of breeding birds in this area from April to the end of how The study was conducted by Brian Henshaw, of Bracklin, Ontario and a senior ecologist with Gertner Lee had, The repot was completed in Ne fall. The body foots 36 mnirodes and 16 species of breeding bird species in be Reserve with adrtitlonal ones In adjacent sections of Altona Forest. This Nmough report fists the birds and even gives the locations where they were seen or heard April 17, 2000 —The Toronto and Region Conservation AuNoriry started an archeological study in Altana Forest on this day. The excavation lasted from April 17 to 26. gists under be dinectio r of Rotten W. C. Burger and Feld supervision Of Carbonate M. Crimuon. All field work as conducted under be Ontario Ministry of Citizenship, Culture and Recreation Licence in Conduct Archaeological Exploration Survey Or Fieldwork (2000-038) issued to the Toronto and Region conservation Authority. All the artifacts, field notes and pians wereseal to the ROM for Lane 23, 2000— Altona tares[ Stewardship Committee Terms of Refcience were finalized. The role Of the Stewardship Committee, as outlined in be terns Of reference, is to communicate with the publiq foster land stewardship ethic, and to work to partnership to accomplish watershed management objectives, establish guidelines and implement activities Nat ore consistent with me t Breeding mods in an mass FmW: Altann Fant, Pickeing invited wrOr. J. Murray Spars by Btloa Hmsbew, far, 2000 One wonders if the Dixons knew about the stories and may have used the plates like books for their children or were the plans, probably a set of Nem, among their more beautiful belongings? The dams of manufacture of these Items indicate that Ne D'mons likely brought these housewares with them, probably from England. Only one artifact was found that could be from pre -cora[ and that was a spoknahave fragment of Onondaga cat which was formed in the shape of an arrow, head. summa 2000—Doug Luckney and Headier losing walked 5 of Ne 10 survey lines in the 1. Murtay Speirs Ecological Reserve, identifying all bees, measuring Neh diameters a breast height, and indicating the ground Dom. Oct. 1,2000- Dating the summer of 2000, vandalism in Altana Forest nosed its ugly head on bees were cut down and left to rot. More than 30 time were cut down over a two week period. The vandals were na caught (See news ankles "V omen; stake Alrona Forest m PickeAng"- PickeringNews Advauser. Sun, Oct, 1, 2000 and `Vandals Axe Trees;' Toronto Star, Mon. Oct. 2, 2000) 58 Durham Region ry VANDALS AXE TREES Resiaentsadjarenuo aForesl onfluiing'chforr have ho xe been ee ending downtrees a and leaving them to leavingheemroa 5; Nor Nooranofthe Alrona Forest Forest Community Stew L Committee that the at over have been called. including 16 N svgermaplesenatlmeeelms. Ar area of about 40 square 5. (aims in the moral near Wmadsmere Crea has been areeded. Oct. 1,2000- Dating the summer of 2000, vandalism in Altana Forest nosed its ugly head on bees were cut down and left to rot. More than 30 time were cut down over a two week period. The vandals were na caught (See news ankles "V omen; stake Alrona Forest m PickeAng"- PickeringNews Advauser. Sun, Oct, 1, 2000 and `Vandals Axe Trees;' Toronto Star, Mon. Oct. 2, 2000) 58 goal and obje ensues of the approver) Allow Forest Environmental Management Plan.2 July 2],2000—The Repots of We Archaeological Excavations on TRCA Kaolin Property In the Town of Pickering, Stage 4 Excavation of the Allan" Forest She (AIGs@4)was completed. The site yielded 2,932 sources; of Pipe historical significance which dated to fire I9" century and may have " — beloagedtotheDixoufxmily.Apileofstorieswerediscoveredwhich hByln¢M roughly emi espoaded to the let survey line. These were probably plied there as the land was cleared for agriculture. The artifacts were typical ofa mid 191° century domestic fmmsteatl and included pans ofglazs bottles, bowls. pipes, bone bultum, plates, square headed nails and animal remains. The mix of tM1ese ,S (lava In the same spot indicated a single family domes0e garbage damp -The lack of fine pacifism such as "bone china' indicated Wet the houseMld was a low to middle socioxonomic status. However, some fine examples mFBlue Willow Plates have design on them which dates from the I820s to the 1860s Piece of bmf while makers marks on the Krohn pipe fragments came from the 18305 to the boron. late 1890x. The example of Blue Willow Plate found al this site is of particular imem st as West plates usually told a story. The beautiful blue designed perRm on We Blue Willow plates looks Chinese, but were Brat made In England. Many English designers copied Chinese plate designs. The Blue Willow plate design is one of the best knmwm designs in We world (See photo of Blue Willow Plate) The story on this plain is about a rich man moved] Tia Ling. He lived In We house depicted on the plate. His beautiful daughter, Kwaug-se, was promised to an old wealthy man. However, she feu In love with Chang, her fambees clerk. Chang and Kwamg-se eloped and Kwang-se's father was an angry that he was going to have them put to death. The gods inteivenW and tamed Wem Into lure doves before life execution and Way revealed. The two lure doves are on the top of the plate.' e Alecm ror mCommunity NAv,Asmv Nov. Mon. Vol, 1 Number r Seedus meantime form example of lkeslmywsrs¢M1 doves for Bluewinow Ploon tow. deveyeues «wpanemwwuow haw Blue wWmv Plate. One wonders if the Dixons knew about the stories and may have used the plates like books for their children or were the plans, probably a set of Nem, among their more beautiful belongings? The dams of manufacture of these Items indicate that Ne D'mons likely brought these housewares with them, probably from England. Only one artifact was found that could be from pre -cora[ and that was a spoknahave fragment of Onondaga cat which was formed in the shape of an arrow, head. summa 2000—Doug Luckney and Headier losing walked 5 of Ne 10 survey lines in the 1. Murtay Speirs Ecological Reserve, identifying all bees, measuring Neh diameters a breast height, and indicating the ground Dom. Oct. 1,2000- Dating the summer of 2000, vandalism in Altana Forest nosed its ugly head on bees were cut down and left to rot. More than 30 time were cut down over a two week period. The vandals were na caught (See news ankles "V omen; stake Alrona Forest m PickeAng"- PickeringNews Advauser. Sun, Oct, 1, 2000 and `Vandals Axe Trees;' Toronto Star, Mon. Oct. 2, 2000) 58 Durham Region ry VANDALS AXE TREES Resiaentsadjarenuo aForesl onfluiing'chforr have ho xe been ee ending downtrees a and leaving them to leavingheemroa 5; Nor Nooranofthe Alrona Forest Forest Community Stew L Committee that the at over have been called. including 16 N svgermaplesenatlmeeelms. Ar area of about 40 square 5. (aims in the moral near Wmadsmere Crea has been areeded. Oct. 1,2000- Dating the summer of 2000, vandalism in Altana Forest nosed its ugly head on bees were cut down and left to rot. More than 30 time were cut down over a two week period. The vandals were na caught (See news ankles "V omen; stake Alrona Forest m PickeAng"- PickeringNews Advauser. Sun, Oct, 1, 2000 and `Vandals Axe Trees;' Toronto Star, Mon. Oct. 2, 2000) 58 Vandals strike Altona Forest in Pickering The vandauam Up to 30 trees cut down over last two weeks continuedwere until pfCl(ERING—The Chairman of which is res 111¢[e were more Ne Alton¢ pored StewardshipCom. forest thible for the 52]- hectare mine room o Finch es prom Nan ore odes in mile is o,kin8 residentsem re to the Brd from ure precious ons Io d We Avenue We more own Ioolum Ad- ppm,sonably alsw Wefoerest cutter mtl fiamnoCase( Was weslmted which were cul dowdring th ID Imes were ut long ReBa.Thererevlwm acait am down wind like the twoweeks. a 982. enlally significant arta down And left to -1 would like Teming montin in 1982. ph to and ll useof this, Tarry Noonan, cm onawant salloomt;tCouple stoppeda Mr, chine on" the Larry Na, who cot Noonansaid,that has Wenrca is Cash whom and cdp to discov rano Ina sees low, who cut aColdnd (ramal wildlife a hu nn sons of aims well an mlempl m dinget eretl w ¢ s , ag been c ontl .ForP as wall ss man, new dNW e[IGt[Inn to was o donut was wanks raga when he ones. owns, terra or go in and chop Howe coward) out rare walk. down Miaces is terrible a y acts was Ile svia up m m M1am been Mile for TRCA sad zone he on- ¢ervpossibly including,hie Inn oswnmnn ulelm, ¢nasalmr TRCA,le in the Ymow develop some leads manwowbltenyeld. lwm cedar,tthat t have No{iry «pChuf a hole In Ne !here wow) and yellow blah tNt with bordering the roles( TuesdayCurre where mill Ne Fact cut sown az otltl heights... with car believed We vandals em<M. He Will He estimated oma CIN the be increasing their Would es males Ina gime, card in mend. wage in a aboutage mirk t w regime, "we're nd an m earaches me range i^ aye prom nuc m ao years and we a um community a6 dna we will be afirea ng ircnl 'The majority of We ones Nokup schools ly connote (smeenmi her Ym 16ngs range mobwl2o Yam olaY nsit judged Nosu"woe mid. he xuJ, online most m ell age skin- 6C He adtlea ty to caolion wNmldes M haa'e Nee au to rM18c individuals eahe"e hetsod.I wandering if the Comervnlmv AuthoultAct, Under but acoustic Plans to }emm fm the trees said, "we're hoping Meaning win an mJ no, the,,re rax nxvna. the key b our Crucial: Mr. Noting, .said he's rtpwcea We Anyone with iNammtion is mend damage to dw Toronto and Regionto lI [be TRCA enrcro m ak Consternation Authority (TRCA), branch at (416) 984-08W. n very special delivery for Pickering man Governor-General pays visit, bestows Order of Canada bw,e, Am; mMM!mm ,�ma wyr si w:°a"",m a : we sasm"ease umml wMid e I to , fuK ass, emM, W"a eU ad, a, mmmW n�ynbm1W If mr, eM "1 'maw,, m"w: II, "IfMd so b", SMI. ,mom Gswd� Ah n,CnnW: wIW69ueaYvllMMem"mk""v u.e ,��os s�" ,1,oM veo ro"Y.h.MWN0.",a- A u nod RamNe u�ue d pn,tl"mvd &It,MW n b "f emkm". 'Yew bwh w 0.W PlCin„g re,vbu nr J Mvrq Spm w,awutlm,be pNen of fa MV EyWmmorGrnwlAbl°mr CIar4,m, Mm,Cq'. ShvuveEWSpirsal,YrorM PIAn'rghvme. Nov. 7, 2000—Dr. J. Moray Speirs received Oe Order of Canada for hid life long work wills the environment and wildlife. Being too ill to (revel to Ottawa, the Governor General of Canada Adrienne Clarkson, presented this award to Dr.Speirs at his home backing onto his beloved Honour bestowed on Pickering ornithologist MW.N w"a t:.M �y °rom � .f`aRe a WW r IM IdoMI1 Md 61 a. .;nrd CIMS wa .,. mun: ° rM :MoR 2da I'sm;1 Nov. 7, 2000—Dr. J. Moray Speirs received Oe Order of Canada for hid life long work wills the environment and wildlife. Being too ill to (revel to Ottawa, the Governor General of Canada Adrienne Clarkson, presented this award to Dr.Speirs at his home backing onto his beloved Ahead Fore t.e(See news articles - "Early environmentalist to receive top honours;' Toronto Sem Nov, 2000, and' very special delivery for Pickering man:' Pickering News Advertiser, Nov. 8, 2000) April to lune 2001—Another detailed Input mapping of breeding birds was done during these months by Idea Henshaw from BfOoklin, (ntario. It was found met be J. Murry Speirs Ecological Reserve (in me modern par[ of Altona Forest) supported 14 species of breeding birds and additional ones in the forest outside the study mea.. This dale was compared with be data covecmd io previous studies, to 1949, 1950, 1994, 199],1999 and 20M and changes of species and or territories were noted. The number or territories decfined by approximately 50% wile the number of specios declined steadily with be exception of 1994. Potential agents for these impacts were suggested as follows: •increased densities of urban- sponsored pmdaton@luejays, American crows, squirrels, chipmunks, raccoons and red foxes); • orb= sponsored nest parasites (cowbirds); human pees (drags and eats); noise, light. mountain bikes, fire pits, garbage, cutting or other physical disturbance; • social behaviour among mese birds War requires the presence of conspecific(Conspecificily, is a concept in biology where two or mora individual organisms or populations or bans belongto the same species.) Some conspecific birds, even lmritonal ones, are 41 amaeRd l0 We same mea because We pRbevee Of conspecifics in DO. Murry Spears that area and it is a reliable indicator of habitat quality. The problem arises when the tenimry is not huge enough for multiple birds of the same species. • historical dysfunction in be development of the breeding bbd Community; • abehavlonral Volt of the species but requires a minimum distance from houses, or, • Increased competition from resident species War me urban number Boarding birds we still one of me atlribnles which make Attend Forest unique, however, flus factor has reduced m We urban environment closed in on the forest The report goes on CO point out but good mmmgemenl practices, proper signage, removal of invasive plans species and initiatives of the Assam Forest Stewardship gaup should help the situation, Sept. 3, 2001—Dr. J. Murray Spein, one of me strongest voices for be environment and the Avxyepaiel Jellvuylce Rckerw¢my-Goveerw. e l pap visit Msrows GNerofGaeN, News AdvcrrM r. Nov. arsenal r From Witipedir me free encyclopedia on are Nremet B¢¢d BINi a m Oman beese Alrmu Fares, DeCkumup 2001, prepared for Dr. Speirs Md Reeemary Speueby Brian Henshew 62 wildlife which lives in our peat murloms, passed away of heart failure. His many friends ho loured him at a forms] service and many promised to carry on his work, especially in Altona Forest.(See news article- "Commuwry moms death of Dr. J. Memory Specs, Pickering News Advertiser, Wed. Sept. 5, 2001) His more fives on in to 1. Murray Splits Ecological Reserve, part of Altota Forest and his legacy of environmental work will live in perpetuity in Ne J. Mummy Speirs Ecological Reserve (Prow of Murray Speirs form rremonap Spring 2002— Jeff Bowers sinned he develop the Altana Forest Website, Feb. 27, 2002—The Ahona Forest Stew udship Committee and a representative from me MCA presented the Draft Allots Forest Trail and Management Plan at a public meeting. 57 Community mourns death of Dr. I Murray Speirs -bl� ✓aw 91 I= m.quwi i wmu ==Z! =ice _ZIF Spring 2002— Jeff Bowers sinned he develop the Altana Forest Website, Feb. 27, 2002—The Ahona Forest Stew udship Committee and a representative from me MCA presented the Draft Allots Forest Trail and Management Plan at a public meeting. 57 arch 2002—The Northstaf Homes sign was placed to announce the extension of Stmuds lane to Alberta Road and the development of "Timmer Treils Pickering Site Location". (See photo.) March 24, M02—The lost plumes of the Dmardo farm house were other, This line example of stone constnmtion was demolished to make way for the Nephritic development. oiwrdo Muse. A cl ausic aunt Stone. It"as a shwa shat it we NaMetar Hameseevelopsai eve Mazue April t8, 2002—The grade 7 classes Gum St. FA¢abeN Seton Catholic School partietpated In a use rescue Gem the Nordistar Homes sire to Alone Forest. Over LOO trees were transplanted to the forest by Nese students. Apil M 2002—Members of the public gave up their Saturday to join in the saving of more than 100 additional been from the subdivision site of NOMstar Homes to Almna Forest. The Altana Forest Stewardship commence arranged this tree rescue activity In conjunction with due TRCA and in corporation with Nonhsar Homes. June 2002— Began invasive vegetation management program by treating Buckthorn. June 2002—Larry Noonan leads night time police raid into silicon Forest be an active dog house. No people were found but the drug materials were removed and the fidimong week the house 0 was dismantled by TffCA staff and everything removed. This wNre pi0e me gew lost Ootsi it IM woven im Nine line wbkb was teplaoai by a canlit JI team wMn SmuaI was Wentlei to Altona Rmtl. Simuds Lace Is now I in the a1i01 deptaefim in ow n0it wit 0l lM plindng. 65 Only users found Nat the seclusion of Altona Forest was an excellent area to do drags. A number of drug Sita were found over the years and each one removed. It was hoped that with the opening of the hiking trails, the privacy for such illegal actions would be &mubed. When the trails were opened the incidents of vandalism and other illegal activida in the forest reduced drastically. June ], 2002 —The TRCA endorsed Ne Altona Forest Trail Development and Management Plan June 14, 2002 - Vandalism continued in Altona Fores to the spring and summer of 2002. The Ver were cul down by four boys between the ages of 13 to 16. Unfortunately they were neve caught in the act but once they were aware Oat we knew who they were and enforcement officer's m eand to their parents, Oe vandalism stopped.' July 2002— With Oe deepening of Roaebahir TMudI Lecey's Pond was inertly reduced. Over the interceding years no frog calls were heard to this pond and it wos decided m are 0 anyO g could be done to rehabilitate it. During this mono the AFSC examined the pond m determine the extent of damage. The pond was frond to be 2 metres by mann with a depth of less Oan 30 cm. By me end of July the pond was dry. Disappearing trees spark outrage in Pickering Alarst cringasur Inner aa', ratrwg 1p uArz hand Inz t rn�aimxgrbresr a In n ho An. IwArchr m. An FAAAAh;Al m, A III III wmw M ,.I hr Ill 'Ar Arm am InAmAl WL runs ffir ` Aran AA a.ur�v, All Ll Inne AnA, I. Lh a Anne. 11. Ir6^�.I 11 An, IM, III Al Illow An, w ,'M II. Al .mss..m..,Nwv.:".;+m..w.......-.,k,,,,,aw. August 2002—By the middle of this summer over 400 call neve, about 1 to L5 In in height, were stolen from Oe north end of Almna Funs The old woven wire drove was cul to allow r Uimppevinp who sparkouasgw HCY 'w& News A4vntiea lure l4, 2002 0 access to a large vehicle, probably a truck. The owes were dug up and unreported through the hydro property to their new home or placed where they would be sold. Attempts by the police and TR(2A enforcement were unsuccessful in discovering Ne Nieves. The TRCA took a suggestion Wm the AFSC to paint whim dom on We remaining cedar trees in the area and this was done with the help of the Noonan family and IBCA staff. The thefts stopped after this. Sept. 2002 —Completion of Slon of public Bails along with interpretive buil guide and location posts was amounted in due Alone Forest Community Newsletter. Primary, commerce were Gum Stand's Lane, Summrpeck Cres., arclovdce a, and from Altona Road .° With inmwased public use, vandalism and Irate thefts decrease dmsticaBy. Oct. 27, 2002—The Annual Altana Forest Clem up took place. In attendance were Beavers, CLbs and Adventurers from ScmB as well as Wree high school students from Dmbman H.S. along with a nmffien of pments and children from the neighbouf sand and four students from the Tree Bee club at St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic School. There was much less garbage than in previous year. April 2003 —A grant proposal to Bre TO Canada Trust Friends of the Emerromnent was submitted for the Altona Forest Interpretive Hiking Trail Protect. The Dunt requested was $6696.00 and was to be used for two boardwalks, three interpretive signs and nail marker May 12, 2003—Altana Forest web site was launched on this date. The web master is Jeff Bowers, w.alumperAtore June IS, M03 —Iamy Nomura, (rearm of photo) representing the Altona Forest Stewardship Committee, accepts the first J. Murray Speirs Rehabilitation Award at the Durham Regional Office. June 25, 2003 —the map of the planned rehabilitation of Iacey's Pond was completed. 8 Anpna INA 2002, VOL 3, NMI Jim. 2004 —For a few years the members of Ne Alining Forest Stewardship C nagflt a had made umber of observations about water levels, trees dying and falling over for no apparent reasons and others indicators which may have pointed to a change in the water balance in Algona Forest. A study was initiated by the MCA and completed this month. The data interpranation suggested mat developments around Aborm Forest have impacted the amount of wager reaching We forest vegetation. The groundwater flow and monflow within the forest and adjacent land had been disturbed and reduced because of the developments to the east and was[ of the forest.blim was before the additional developments to me north and south of the forest) A comparison of pre - development, wasting (2001) and probably Ennui conditions surface runoff volume contributing to wet packet area locamd within the cenhal portion of Algona Forest indicated a reduction of up 1019%Woman ¢airing and preAevelopment and up to a maximum of 66% under future development conditions (in 2005 to 2009). This estimation was conservative given the hydro- onular will continue to contribute runoff under Aware conditions. The comparison also did not assuriemitigation measures £mthefuture developmeN.s The recommendation omdation was: The Almna Forest hydrologic angubson water balance analysis and field visit by TRG staff suggests rhat drainage area to the forest and runoff volumes have been altered due m developments adjacent w the forest. Following short -germ and long-term measures are recommended to mitigate impacts to rhe forest and weaponless areas and to ensure that a Aural sooner Hydrologic and Weln Balance Analysis, Repan to l rO, Claudia. Ing. 2Ni 68 future development does notfunherreduce water supply to these features. Short -reran measures • Create a check domAn'm to pond water at or mar to wet pockets. The height of the dam should be between 0.3 and 0.6 or (done at Lacey's pond but not a other sites) Integrate a maid around the wetpocketfsature. (done at Lacey's pond.) Develop a monitoring program to assess water levels and to provide information to directfuture long-term actions. (Water m anhow sondons were maWled in the winter of 2008) long-term measures Directportion ofdramagefrom minorsystemflaw, of adjacent developments to forest through an open channel or pipe; • Readewoffuture developments within Almna Forest drainage areas t0 mature both surface and ground water balance is maintained and mounted wherever paxsible10 Feb. 2004—The 117 page long Who an Foundation Fund Proposal for the Altman Forest hamprodve HOdng Tori Project was completed and subsumed. This proposal was ajoint effort of the AFSC. the Pickering Naturalists and the TRCA. no funds requested ween N the amount of 858.605.58 which was for the new parking lot bored walks and trail enhancements. FOUNDATION Funding Proposal he Altona Forest Interpretive Hiking Trail Project 10 Alwa Fortaz Hriectsic and Water Balance AwthAe. Repent as TR(A.(angles, See 20>4 April, 2004—The ]RCA began sports to restore hydrology of Mona forest — improvements undsrken at Lacy's Pond to extend water retention and restore wedand habitat. A berm was constructed where Lacey's Pond stable Rosebank Tributary. This revita0axl La day's Pond back to about 50% of its original six with the rains of spring. A pair of mallard ducks moved into the new Lacey's Pond and some dikes reported fire call of a single woodfrog. This was unconfirmed as the AFSC thought me next spring would be due better time to see if We helm was successful. Spring 2004 -Tree salvaging compared prior b installation of Shroud's Lane extension. April 20(p4— An Adopt -A -Trail program was started in Mona Forest. This program has volunteer faaWies lookiag after sections of the almost 5 km of trails. Thew responsibilities mem50C by Mr. Named's Grow 5 Sumaid. St El icalreO Sewn School Bag, bent slap! On Wednesday. Luce 9°,body wu what,, Me Name. wasquacur go&5 class who IM paid of exclusive; at build Me bcvN owns by Alone Faro. While it why 32T an the am&, we hmmneveU awaywsWling,nom Me 20) bslds Numbering nails, wapping mpquimee.3hapag, mrtymg wand, wnnng names an the hare, legion Ow picrate okra by Ne News Substrate: newspaper. ruining ob of wilN mu and ardymgthe forest life resulted I thrng were ad draw of at dead mat transaction we achievement our sural Ed leaning we board walks Mare the end Of Me dcbml day After ae day's work, we asset head the shat and had poetic cou ands Cur quid a bila sad were very quiet. Emily bag spry. moquim mass blWVS End hr wait was all loi it We succeeded in building Ne bmrtl wide. Showers or a baW and a nap were on Ell my mirdE by Mannoml time. Thmtto humhu Caeavadool Authority for ill towhaM to help Jai �y ad 0me Mlpen The whole tion ommnnid will hullowai mbelp wishthee her a vex[Mla he osit the wdeatl omedmenatyevwar weasels NechslmdoLLonlum22.the KmMeen Showa and Laura w'ah scene man Cstimat 0Aummitl geedmlevwh dWtlen[isher all th wishes estimate pf efgreciana antl dame smNl gigs, for all wellhr hands wawingbud w Ne Lmmwelk work Where you go per a e W: he Alava Forest ham we drum enamce ad walk Over the muddy areas wiwwt leading dirty or war 1anmNdthe gmha5 class a3W I is 110 build Na hand walks we card Such 5041, include visiting the trail at least once a month, basic cleaning of their portion of the and, reporting dangerous leaning pees End any vandalism Nat they might see. June 9, 2004- Larry Noonan's class of grade 5 students from St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic School built Me board walk; near interpretative post H3 in Altona Forest. The project was assisted by MCA sniff and some parent volunteers. The two hoard walks were completed by 2 p.m. Naz day when me students had well deserved popsicles. (See article "Satan 504') June 24, 2004 -After interviews and a site visit, the Duane Trillium Foundation approved our funding proposal in Ne meant of $57,600. The AFSC soon received me Letter of Agreement and after Doug kray of Pickering Naturalists and tarry Noonan of the ARom Forest Stewardship Comminve signed this document, we were presented with the cheque. July ].2004- The Toronto and Region Conservation (TRC), Region of Durham, City of Pickering and me Almna Forest Stewardship Committee with support from the TD Canada Trust Friends of the Environment Foundation m the amount of $6,695.00, held me official opening of the Alban Forest Hiking Trail. (See news article "(Rt N much wine nature" -Pickering News Advertiser, Wed. July 14, 2004) The funding was used for me fo0owinin • hail head sip I kiosk located at the main enhance off Sound's brute -m welcome visitors to the hiking Well while pointing out acceptable activities; • 37 interpretative posts installed along the (rail at sites detertninW by to Trail Committee (mese posts contraption to the had hiking guide which can be downloaded hum the Altona Forest web site at ahmafore t.org); • 30 meo-as of board walks over two wet areas close to me sumbem enhance to protect forest floor habitat and prevent hail spread. (See article Seton 504 in His newsletter for information on these hoard walin) ]be hail made Alum Forest more accessible to visitors who will help to protect the forest while e toying all rhe natural arremdes it has to offer. The official Planning of the Altona Forest Trail system at lie Stuarts Lane kiosk From left to right are Jeff flowers (stewardship ormatted. Mike header (TRC), Mayor Ryan (City of Pickering), Larry Noonan (stewardship comminee), Andy Wachon (manager of TD Canada Trost - Amberlea Maze) and Doug Lcckrey (Pickering Fernandina) Get in touch with nature Plckei0}'s Alton Forest trail system to roz rare =119 for businesson rearm x�rysorod rwr ircu Mono eviy.n ar^uOwsot .lwLrMo ft' so NIM dmrlwossrd�ofthme � 4oA ere lo tkmber 23, 200st - Tee public was invited to participate NNe construction of the wetland board walk on this day. A number of families helped in building the, go an long structure around the pond, which was completed fit one day. The observation deck was completed the following week. This dock is used for bund watching or just relaxing and enjoying the pond, trees and flowers m the area. Many order visit this pond as can be witnessed by tree variety of foot proms visible during the winter months on 0e form walk. last year, fm the first time m over 30 years, mapped] docks nested in Ne pond. Spring time should bring back Nese nesting ducks to Ne proud, Itis hoped that amphibious will also return to the pond this spring. 72 All signs point to nature Access to Ne observation deck is easiest from the Chickadee entrance on the west side of the forest. Hikers coWd travel through the wedged mea keeping dry while avoiding damage to this sensitive area Trillium Foundation was acknowledged for then funding of this project. Construction of observation deck and elevated board walks around Luey's Pond was completed by members of the public. A number of families helped bond Ne 80-m long immune mound the pond, which was completed m me day. March 20, 2005 --The Vegetative Fidge Management program from the new townhouse development on Chickadee Loan was released. The developer agreed to keep a 2.0 in wide strip of named revegeUtion inside Nen property along the existing fence on but Almra Forest property Line It March 30, 2005 —Thanks to Bob Johnson at the Toronto an. a hog monitoring smaon was borrowed by Larry Noonan, than of Altana Forest Steward ship Committee and placed at Laceys Pond. This project was to determine what frog species lived in Laceys Pond- Frogs which have been reported in Aimoa Forest in the past include. shams, wood, leopard, treefmg, green frog, Amereican toad, and perhaps bullfrog• spring peeper, pickerel and mink hogs The hog monitor recorded a short sound bite every 20 minutes as well as the exact time and Ne air temperature. tarty Noonan picked up the tape every Nree days and put me results N a log bmk April 6, "S -- The berm a Lacey's Pond was found destroyed. Apparently Nis vandalism was done onver the preceeding weekend. Some residents had expressed concern that the newly crestal pond would Inereas mosquim breeding w the forest and Nus increase the chances of West NBe Virus carrying mosquitues N the same. The nett newsletter explained what the news media had report numerous times, Nat is, that West Nile Vitas carrying mosquitoes breed in small meas 11 Vegetative mgs Managarelt Pep IandwapeArthiwn. OA.LA., Taranto 73 a water like in a birdbath eta. and not in ponds. In fact, ponds make excellent homes for me predators of. mosquitoes including those who carry West Nile. The berm was capatred and destroyed again the next weekend. It was repaired again and again destroyed. Finally it was repaired and a steel grid installed to protect it. This, and me delivery of me next news letter to near-by residents resulted in no harbor destruction to me berm. April 15, 2005 -- The hog monitoring station was recording a variety of birds, vain whistles, airplanes, dogs barking but no frogs. On this day it was different. The fent calls of one wood hog coWdbeheardat5:59p.m.wimmeoutdoormmper at0°C Atll:58p.m.wimme temperature of I °C, there were kite calls of number of wood frogs. Sunday April 17, M05 --9Te Incey's Pond frog monitoring station records multiple loud quacking of wood hogs s 11:51 a.m. with a temperature of 12°C. latus that abemoon, at 3:50 Fri., the monitoring among recorded vandals smashing the tailings on the observation deck. the voscm e male and they were dome their ditty, work th broad daylight Unfortunately, they never called each other by name, m least that we could discem. The TIICA retained me railings quickly as it was dangerous without them. The repair was abetted with thicker boards and heavier hadware in an attempt to prevent a repeat of this incident. Over the next few days, many examples of wood frog calls were rewrdM. No other bog calls were heard April 19, 2005 —The annual Altona Forest Spring Clean Up started out from the parking lot m SL Elizabeth Seton Catholic School. The amount of garbage was noticeably reduced from previous years when there was no mail. Friday April 29, 2005 —Despite me mating season for wood logs extending two the early pan of Mayon average,11:11 p.m. on this date with a compensate of 4-C was the Ist recorded wOW frog call for this year. The monitoring went onto see if any otherfregs would show up. June 17, 2005 —]RCA and City of Pickering by-law enforcement officers, lead by laity Noonan, descend on an elaborate ding house in me southern reserve. The drug house was under construction using band new lumber and boxed stand nails from Home Depot It had a dug out soon to be saret storage place under me subboor which was not finished. The group had cut down 15 leave to clear a section m which W build. All me material was removed. Even though the culprits were not caught, the amount of money spend on building materiels which was siesed, must have been in the hundreds of dollars June 22, 2005 -- With the number of ruordings totalling 2320, the last recording using the hog manindr was mkeo m f.aceys Pond a 8:21 a.m. on this dote with a temperature of 16°C. Only the wood frog had managed to mosmblish itself at Iacey's Pond. The reasons for this were found to be the length of time that water is available in the pond is only sufficient for the wood frogs. The Wee ponds which were destroyed by developmerajost east of Iacev's Pond rental water longer and does were capable of somebody a wider variety of frog species. A one of the mandates of the Maine Forest Stewardship Committee is to study ways to rehabilitate the forest, it was decided to look into the establishment of another amphibian pond which could attract one or more of the other frog species. June 2005 -- Tee play cabin built in the I War was set on fun. Than dully the time arsonists didn't know how to do It and the logs were only severely singed. Close by trees also show evidence of fres being set at their base. It was decided that the play cabin would have to be dismantled in ordm b discourage these people from Ods area. This was done and the logs used to edge the bull in this oma. It is mdortunate that a cabin which had giver so many children and Nan; her for almost 50 years had to be taken apart because of some stupid pre Neas who instead of playing he and around it, wanted to bum it down for some unknown reason. Spring and summer 2005-ONer bad improvements mature fee hnlnllatlon of 10 rest area log benches, and the installation of bail head signage. Abna Forest improvements a dream come true Pex we m w,a 4_ .e.._. . _ .0 u:.r Aug 1, 2005 --The deadline for submitting the Mal report to Trillium could net be met as the construction of Ne parking lot was not complete. We asked for and got an extension to Dec, 1. Aug. 15, 2005 --A cleanup loaned about 100 in from the drug house which was removed in June, was discovered. Sixteen bees were cul down and a small foaming operation was stoned. Fertilizer and tools were abandoned as whatever the crop was, it was harvest. The police were notified and the GPS location added to thew helicopter surveilanme. No additional activity was seen in this area. May 7. 2005 --Many parties are held in AMma Forest. Some e at the observation deck and sometimes these result in we and I or beer bottles being thrown halo Laceys Pond. The more hiker's on the trail, the fewer incidents of this type have been recorded in Almost Forest. Summer 2005 —Installation of first public parking area, allowing for Ne safe access N Ne bails of Altura forest was completed. The parking lot was built on the old drive way to one of the original farm houses. Sept 18, 2005 —The Altona Forest Stewardship Commitee, the Pickering Naturalists, the Toronto and Region Conservation and the City of Pickering hosted a trail opening event at Altona Forest. The final preparation of the hails, which took place between August 2004 and August 2005, was made possible by aput to the Pickering Naturalists from The Ontario Trillium Foundation. The final work included earth work (clearing, excavating and gilding), access area (l arldng lot materials, topsoil, stiles and stones), restoration (native bees and shrubs), wetland boardwalks (abgade boardwalks, a raised boardwalk and the observation deck at Leroy's Pond), restareas (forest benches and wheelchair accessible picnic tables) and signag (hail head signs andba0markerposts). Dec. 1, 2005 --The Reporting Forms for One -Yew Grants, with receipts and all documentation, was prepared and submitted to Ne Oman Trillium promotion completing our obligations. April 10, 2006--PainWall games are evident around the Chickadee enhance as Ne signs said many bees there are covered with the exploded point balls. Larry Noonan repotted this to the police. Constable 1. Munchen assured the AMC Met these individuals could be charged. The local residents were asked to phone the police if they saw anyone enter the forest with painting guns. Summer 20pfi —hails were marked with directional blazing and explanatory signage was 76 installed Sept 18, 2006— A meeting was held in nob Altana Forest to discuss rhe needs and location of a new amphibian Pond. Holes were dug to check the ground water and a plan of action was devised In attendance were Larry Noonan AFSC, Dave Ireland, Toronto Zoos AdopPA-Pond Program, and three contractors who advised Ne group. Fall 2006 --A grunt pmposal was prepared by Larry Noonan and sent to the Ontario Power Generation Is the amount of $5000. The money was to go totally toward the construction of a w amphibian pond in the northern pmt of Along Forest. This proposal was lost when the administration at OPG responsible for the applications wag transferred to anotherjob and her replacement could not find if A new application was submitted in the spring of 2007 and approved. Dec. 14, 2006 --On this day Doug Lockrey received an Environmental Award from to Pickering Naturalists for his efforts W improve many e rvhomnentany sensitive areas but especially for all his work and comribufiem to the development of Alton ForesL kl:v' Spring ngo — ConOnuedinvasiveandestatevegetation treatment, focussing on Dogghmaglhag Vine and Bnagbam. �� k Summer 2007— Seemed funding in the amount of $17,604) from Toronlo Zoo, Ontario Power Generation, mad TD Friends of the Environment to contact amphibian pond in the north portion of Doug Leducy wan the the Forest mvio,u t•.ma reatrMs mngmnlntons. July 200'1— Altana Forest was pan of me presentation in the Provincial Communities in Bloom competition which Pickering entered for the fist now. In awarding top marks m Altom Forest, the judges made a number of comments on the official 2007 Provincial Evaluation Form, which included, "Pickering enjoys the special privilege of having within its borders many naturally landscaped areas, some in conjunction with the Toronto Conservation Authority and othu's with joint Farmers. Within this Smorgasbord of beauty, Alrna Forest goods out as a unique gem. Congratulations on successfully saving this natural landscaped mea from encroachment 77 by developmenC and "B is hard to add suggestions here as they seem to have plans well underway." lTe very high marks received by Abona Forest helped Mooning achieve Ole 5 Bloom status in Communities in Bloom, the highca award a City can achieve. Aug. 200"1—Installation of pound water monitoring devices to better understand impazls and changes laking piece in the forest (on-going). Fa112007 -Secured funding for the Healthy Headwaters Initiatives from EcnAction. Dec. 10, 200]—After much study of surface and ground water well other factors, a number of sites were identified ns possible locations with acceptable hydrofics for catching and regaining water for an additional amphibian pond, for which funding was almedy in place.wjw� These were as follows • site #1 south of Va0 near post# 29 which has space waucrmomwmghatun aIIM In Ahom Forest for an appropriate sue of pond and is an open chak ground wmu keels. canopy widt minimal removal of trees and thick . forest nearby.'Ihis is @e preferred choice of the Stewardship Committee as it has the necessary physical conditions of water Bow, u close to the hail for interpretative purposes and it is surrounded by trees. site #2 north of site #1 on north side of the trail which hunches additional use removal of intensive and formerly open field tate species. te #3 south of post#25 on wait which has sufficient size with open canopy and only some small clumps of moss would have to be removal to curate suitable slope and depth contour. • site ft along old creek hard east of post# 19 and leading m smrm catchment in esident's back ymd. This site was determined to be too narrow and not available for ivteaprertion. It was identified for humorist work to slow water flow m Ne storm catchment. Feb. 29, 2008 —The chair of the Altana Forest Stewardship Commipee wrote a letter to me Honourable lies Watson, Minister of Municipal Affehs and Housing, asking for the Altana Forest to be added to Ontario's Greenbelt which is just north of the forest. A reply hater stated that the suggestion would be taken under consideration. April, 2008 — Rosemary Sirens, we the President of Ontario Nature, some a letter to the Hoaoumble aim Walsoo, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, to use the new Gaenbelt expansion criteria 0 accept the Altana Forest into the Greenbelt. Thu would give About Forest and additional level of protection. She ended her letter with a plea for allowing more input into the process for expansion by saying: I would urge you to rethink Criteria One a allow Greenbelt mgmeolon propaaab to come from a wider variety (organizations than just municipal cauwiic.. I'd like to see Conservation Authorities proposing expansion that will beverin meet hemostatic It would be wonderful to see Hydro One proposing to maintain its hydro carthdove as vital Greerrbele IiNmges. fond Stewardship Councils. envirormrenal organizations naturalist e(ubs,f ars' orgadzaiarq and concerned citizen groups could all contribute to the discussion of where One Ch eearch should be expanded. Opening the doors to allow more organlzatiore—and members of the public- a suggest Greenbeh expanlon would.I believe, mo ease the publics sense ofotmership of the Greenbe4 It will also nmkefera more positive process. Otherwise, the debate threaten to take piece in an atmosphere of acrimony as concerned cilizensfnnd themseivesfacing all the d culties ofperoweling municipal councilors who are besieged on the other sale by developers demanding more development lands. It was believed the there is WE a strong impulse on the pan of City Councillors in "pave over paradise" to mis mom revenue for the city and Ne Greenbelt legislation was one way to curb this impulse. July 29,b 8- The judging for the 2008 Communities in Bloom took place on this Any 'Che judges were very complimentary of the Moore Forest and me volunteers who look after it. The committee awaited the judges comments which usually come in during the fall. August 27, 2008 -The fired plans for the new Altona Forest amphibian pond is shared with Laity Noonan, chair of the Altana Forest Stewardship Committee. He Immedlafely sent it out in the committee for their information and comments. (See map) This pond, in north Ahora Forest, has been anticipated for many years. The wet spring and summer has been cited as the reason that construction will be delayed. Sept. 14, 2008--A meeting was held in Almost Forest en are the Bagging of the new amphibian. Representatives of the MCA, Toronto Zoo and Ahona Forest Stewardship Committee examined the locations of Ne Flags before signing off on the location and site of Ne new pond.Sept. 16, 2008 -The AFSC was notified that the City of Pickering has again been awarded 5 Blooms in the Communities in Bloom competition We will await the written aper - September 22. 2008 -The construction of the new amphibian pond in nosh Altona Forest was initiated. [pictures of construction) 79 a home for the amphibians which were eliminated by the destruction of 75% or the wet lands inside Altona Forest. This pond is the fust step lo Ne rebamplar on of the wetlands destroyed in preparation for housing developments wound Mona Forest. fuone plans include slowing water runoff from the £areal and the possible construction of wetlands inside the Hydro corridwr All involved in the planning and construction of this pond are congratulated. Now the pond mads a tome. Nov. 4, 2000 —The spending of the new amphibian pond occurred on this daze. In attendance re representatives from the City of Piclaming and the Region of l rhsm, the F tial sponsors (TD Canada Trost Friends of the Environment, Ontario Power Generation and the Toronto Zoo), representatives of the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority and members of the Altona Forest Stewardship Committee. Media representatives came from SNAP and the New Advertiser. IM m:vAnre �:: nr¢D YNYobm'iv bmrl Etii:{lHgm �r;vi+NW Wmr��rl7--ylYa Y.ar✓. maoog0. bkxuni:w0.muhAln eahl+P wtl4o: exlvYaMI1,: MtP.�rYm J»uuoy.zr�.pr, craw. .(mSril:roYif W r tocmtt¢gvM ro�xry oMnp.Ypua0.Uruit� W 0.MelA ac?Erruu(1 °[Tr vmne:mi{..xfMnu:n luc iM+M:na nhurmsug7 nro,eN W:a.nvnnT nElFrnllrrWf:-::-rye rvrtrrvvrA'uy! �Nr ar�: IFlitY.lnml •�'w'E enaClrn'JM:mjT n:1wPi ntlumrroJ tl�r..l:uw:2 �.vi a IM+f'F. .n. _t!..M1f.r m:vAnre �:: nr¢D YNYobm'iv bmrl Etii:{lHgm �r;vi+NW Wmr��rl7--ylYa Y.ar✓. maoog0. bkxuni:w0.muhAln eahl+P wtl4o: exlvYaMI1,: MtP.�rYm J»uuoy.zr�.pr, craw. .(mSril:roYif W r tocmtt¢gvM ro�xry oMnp.Ypua0.Uruit� W 0.MelA ac?Erruu(1 °[Tr vmne:mi{..xfMnu:n luc iM+M:na nhurmsug7 nro,eN W:a.nvnnT nElFrnllrrWf:-::-rye rvrtrrvvrA'uy! �Nr ar�: IFlitY.lnml •�'w'E enaClrn'JM:mjT n:1wPi ntlumrroJ tl�r..l:uw:2 �.vi NEW ALTONA FOREST AMPHIBIAN POND Frogs whichhave been reported in Miens Forest in the past include: ehom, wood, leopard, Grey lrcefmg, green frog, American toad, and perhaps, but not wnfintual, bWlfro& spring peeper, pickerel and mink flags. Plans started in 2004 to find a location for an additional pond in an attempt to reestablish some of We amphibian species ficin Ne original Altonn Forest The following were idenfified as target species because of w61111121&101�preaigos Labimtiov in Day4,Sept.25,2008 thefores[md beeeusu but in immincint angearbypoeneieptu a t. in exixtenm but in imminent danger from development. Chorus frog and Leopard frog - require water crivirawasseendurfit Day S, Sept. 26,2008 March and April but also a nearby meadow with sufficient sw. I.acey's Pond does not have the mandow and is not suitable for those flags, but the new pend and nearby meadows provide Ne necessary hablmt. Day 6, Sept. 29, Jobs Gray tree frog -requires water during May and early The wood frog has fatly bred iv rehabilitated Laceys Pond rotated neer Day 1, Oct, 22, 3008 interpretation post 12 the Tltis goad supplies the supplies tu:cusary April to May sunny wemr maintaining near-bY dampmpwands WHOMWe mean for the rest Day 2, Sept. 23, 2008 o(the smnmen and fall. This frog my move into du new pond as well. Since Larry's Pond usually dries up in early lune largely due witsveryshallownanue, iewas obvious that av additional pond(s) was needad ed to attract other - fewhidr need longer Day 3, Sept. 24, 2006 threat sofstlndivg w ter to live and bored Plans started in 2004 to find a location for an additional pond in an attempt to reestablish some of We amphibian species ficin Ne original Altonn Forest The following were idenfified as target species because of w61111121&101�preaigos Labimtiov in Day4,Sept.25,2008 thefores[md beeeusu but in immincint angearbypoeneieptu a t. in exixtenm but in imminent danger from development. Chorus frog and Leopard frog - require water crivirawasseendurfit Day S, Sept. 26,2008 March and April but also a nearby meadow with sufficient sw. I.acey's Pond does not have the mandow and is not suitable for those flags, but the new pend and nearby meadows provide Ne necessary hablmt. Day 6, Sept. 29, Jobs Gray tree frog -requires water during May and early June but also needs small Does locukd near or the water which are found at the new poor. Green Rog- this species requves pnmanent water for order habitat and over wintering. The new pond satisfies these requirements. American toad -needs pond wither Por May and lune and may rind the new pond valuable Or habitation. Red -backed salamander - is frond in pockets N the forest and this Dew Day 7, Sept 30, 2008 wetland habitat will Provide she moist surface area this lungless salamander requires to suasive in the mrrounding woods. After extensive study of ground and smbcc water levels, ME locations and Day 10, Ont. 3,2008 movement, the present location was selected for the new pond and design work was compinedin June of 2008. The construct iOno fIa ndwascarthel oo tin Octoberof Day 15, On. 8, 20M 2008 and the short items rook to the pond was completed one day before the official opening afNov. 4,2008. Since dcermd coyote tracks havealrady nm pond, is Day 24, Oct.] 76,2008 pond it is Deck cmrmuctiam. pond wilNatthis band will becomety cum of for maudy 0ityfr m yo Dvy 31,On.24, 2008 murals inn Altona Forest. It is hoped that otheramphibians, including mfitiesofsalammdetsandsomeuptake estbe because -be Dow fficinveand.O Only is Alton poral bis is of (be anew pond. Only time will tell but this is a lid gimtsrep forwaMwaehievingamorc balmced Day 42, Nov. 4, Official opening of ecologewnhm Altmmforest pond. The Rouge - Duffin Corridor Is The Altona Forest I tlrlrmiple, rnle rerfmk"l by nd Other Is the fum orinelnle of tnr pmRblMs and Offer Llm ; im l meedim in Oe Ntolln pmVlrle ilourlsh mml for Ile v,,M Gr Jlwle and Wntl➢era Ihat :, ��J ��J w' �� .� J �� ''�� .� �r� .� � �_� I�� '� ��f �I� ��y/� �� ,� ,��i �� ,,q_ � �F� �J- �i. � �� l- �.. � �� `/� �`��i � . ��L �� - �: �� . Cemetery inscriptions for A J. McIntosh, who owned the west half of the property which eventually because Altona Forest, Side 1- In memory of Alexander Knox died Nov. 20,1899 aged 9 me 16 d'ys Robert John died Oct. 12, 1885 aged 1 yr 4 me sons of John & Isabella McIntosh Side 2 - To memory of Alexander Knox died Sep. 11, 1869 aged 58 y-rs 6 me I I dys also his wit2 Jane Henderson died Feb. 15, 1901 aged 93 y'rs 6 me Natives of Berwickshire Saarland Side 3 - In memory of names Kmx died Dec. 21, 1842 aged 8 yys 9 me James Knox died Apr. 21, 1855 aged 16 y'rs 3 me (in MclntoshplotJ. Side I - M In memory of Can McIntosh 1898 - 1959 his wifs Frances Bramwell 1899- 1959 McIntosh Side 2- M In memory of John McIntosh died May 3,1922 aged 81 years Native of Nabooddre, Scotland Isabella Knox beloved wif of John McIntosh died Aug. 11, 1933 aged 85 yeas Peace perfect peace McIntosh 4 can. W'. Side 1 -John Medd died Mar. 28, 1886 aged 39 y's 1 me 18 d's Too good from earth Gad celled him home Medd Side 2 - Sarah Arm Palmer wife of John McIntosh died Ian. 28, 1893 aged 63 y's 16 d's Weep not for me my children dear am not dead but sleeping here Side 3 - Elizabeth dauofJolm&Mar MMddiedlan.29,1882 aged 5 m's22&SNip'd in the InWTo blossom in heaven John S. Medd died July 24, 1899 aged 14 ys Markers: LIBBIE, FAT_ (low fence of iron rail and white posts surrounds the plot). Obituary: The Pickering News Friday May 5 1922 Doubloon After a lingering illness, John McIntosh died at his home here on Wednesday morning in his 81" year. His funeral will take place on Friday m 2:30. o'clock at Erskine Centenary. Service will he held U the house at 2 o'clock. }!r {� ƒ !� ,a�Q •i e •: R . ! \ !!2a \{.14 | 4 ƒ © | � \ ■\}§ ! ƒ{|�� }�� ow : ^ƒ \� %I \»fJ(E%w »©TOWNSHIP 1877 MAP OF PICKERING SHOWING ALTONA FOREST AREA I �Ua'., 'h�kcei ��J fel • •M 1 [Ilaf'�I ��q±I��i2 I� V�I?i�'4i.f Iylry A4''S w. l a 1 ' a 1 I �+k• ��X aAl N .a yC�4 IH�.3 aa,, 1 tiff 1 iY � a� 1 I Ll 7 Z2 1, uB a�-;G c. ate. - n� �'sa M'h's �f. TA�'cuR ,2�Y7 It�v Q[jAfNrS .i7z l�t :'trrrro�T' !� � ti _ I A749 / 15:ffo[crnrv'r-'-Y 3n !W.�HaG�rr.� m M/�s•�/7qf I w W .Y..5.7EYErYS STP/GIr;FPVQ• �eY.G/XU/J �..—_..._. � >�f%4rPI§'"Ei✓? I fiEl� DYH/YF ( .--... a C.Nvc.nr,�s ry __. S•MSchv- _F,_`_�. GEE-r?MON ___I_.__._____. _ __. _.__,, o WiY/T4�- .riE'S'BlTd XE-iPR 377 - IOV-- Sb MH.S%iMC1[JnY r WC>'r[nfE;y SG j `"!'W.,6 1967 Map of part of Pickering Showing location of Altana Forest 1917 Map of Pickering show land which became Aliens Forest 2 ` ® ` � . 2.� � � ® . w J <» a•a RZ � — } IL L