Mayne Island Conservancy Society

Business Meeting

The agenda will include reports from President, Michael Dunn, from our Executive Director, Leanna Boyer and the Treasurer, Alan Ryder. Come and hear about the progress in our projects and our plans for the rest of this year and we'll talk financial results and budgets

We'll need to elect a couple of Directors - we have a nominating committee but there may be nominations from the floor as well. We will end with a Q & A session and an invitation to join the throng at our "Raising the Green" St. Patrick's Day evening!

Raising the Green

We invite everyone on the island on March 17th, residents & visitors alike to come to the Ag Hall from 6:30 on, early birds bringing a dish to share (go light on the worms, please) This is a fund-raiser for the Conservancy and admissiion is by ticket (sold at the door $15) so there will be a continuous opportunity to renew or take out memberships for those that did not attend the afternoon's business meeting. We'll be accepting donations too and to that end we will holding an auction of useful stuff and generously donated “services”

Later in the evening we will open a cash bar and an eight piece gypsy fusion orchestra will take the stage. This group, “Compassion Gorilla” performed in a 6 piece embodiment one evening in the Ag Hall grounds last summer to universal aapplause. Ken Wu of the Ancient Forest Alliance says:

“Compassion Gorilla routinely gets a sitting crowd on their feet and dancing! They’re now a staple of the lineup for our annual Tree Huggers Ball”

For more information and pictures about this group have a look at their web site compassiongorilla.com Those who know our team will noticed that one of the accomplished musicians featured is Chris Fretwell who helped the Conservancy with the Shoreline, Henderson and Stewardship projects for the past two years. MICS “likes” multi-faceted individuals!

Last Year

• Reports
  • President's Report
    • Micharl Dunn delivered the President's Report
  
  
  • Executive Director's Report
    • Michael Dunn read the Executive Director' report for an ailing Leanna Boyer
  
  
  • Treasurer's Report
    • Alan Ryder delivered the Treasurer's report
  
  
• Elections & Motions
  • Two Board Positions
    • Two Nominations
    • No nominations from the floor
    • Elected by acclamation - Malcolm Inglis and Deb Foote
  • No further motions were presented for consideration
  
  
• Meeting adjourned

This Year's Guest

Froggy Festivities and Salamandrid Shindigs: spring stirrings in the amphibian world

David Cunnington is the Ecological Gifts Program Coordinator at Environment Canada’s Canadian Wildlife Service. He has worked to protect endangered and threatened wildlife for the past 10 years. Before he became involved in species at risk, he conducted surveys of bats, amphibians and reptiles in the South Okanagan, researched control of introduced tree snakes on the island of Guam, and investigated the effects of fish stocking on amphibian populations.

Dave has worked and lived in the Bay of Fundy, Algonquin Park, Guam, the South Okanagan, the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island, and the Canadian prairies. He has also participated in the Christmas Bird Count on Mayne Island several times. This promises to be a lively and informative afternoon, not to be missed, with delicious refreshments included.

The Presentation

Thanks to Mike Nadeau for the following summary of Dave's talk:

On March 19, we held our AGM at the Agricultural Hall. We had good attendance, with lots of smiles and fresh baked goodies. We unanimously received the business and financials, and in fact every vote was refreshingly supported by everyone in the hall. We thanked Peter Askin and Barbara MacIntyre, who stepped down from the board, for their years of service; and welcomed Deb Foote, and Malcom Inglis. Peter Askin was the force behind the Broom Action Team (BAT). If you'd like to get out and tackle the invasive hoards, the new contact is Harold Kasinski, who is always looking for a few good “bashers.” After the AGM, a crowd ignored the sunny weather to hear David Cunnigham's interesting talk titled “Froggy Festivities and Salamandrid Shindigs: Spring Stirrings in the Amphibian World.” David treated us to his wealth of information from working with amphibians including the history and characteristics of our local froggy friends. Did you know? Amphibians were the first vertebrates to come up on land, about 400 million years ago. They are the only vertebrates to go through a total metamorphosis, going from water to land. They possess permeable skin, which water and compounds pass through: they breathe and drink through their skin! Most of us have seen a frog or two hopping across the road, or hiding in a wood pile but this time of year they REALLY make themselves known!

Normally reclusive, the Pacific Chorus Frog (formally the Pacific Tree Frog), congregate around ponds, ditches and water courses to sing every spring. David informed us only the male frogs and toads vocalize they do this to attract mates and advertise their territory. They accomplish this by forcing air over their vocal chords between their inflated throats and lungs, so they sing without opening their mouths! We also learned about their life cycles and how various amorous amphibians make tadpoles.

Historically, amphibians have been seen as an expression of water. In many mythological traditions worldwide, the link has been so great, that in times of drought, various cultures worship amphibians to restore the natural cycles and bring the rains. Right now frogs need our help. Since the 1970s, amphibian numbers around the world have been declining; once large populations are facing extinction. We can do a few things locally to lessen our impact on these creatures who are vital to our local ecosystems. Preserving brush and aquatic plants around riparian areas can provide vital cover and habitat. Be careful with chemical fertilizers and sewage as they are particularly sensitive to these and have no choice but to absorb them through their skin. Please do not use herbicides such as Round-Up (which is banned on a few Gulf Islands) which has been proven to adversely affect amphibians. Also note that introducing fish to waterways can wipe out frog and salamanders as tadpoles and eggs are used as food for most fish species. Enjoy the chorus!

A splendidlly camouflaged salamander	A Wood Frog on the forest floor

More Froggy Information!

BC Frogwatch

Canadian Amphibian and Reptile Network