To:  All Members
From:  Peter Kennedy

Your nominating committee will be searching for members to fill positions on the PHFN Board of Directors that will be vacated in May, 2006, when present Board Members' terms of service will end.

We welcome more participation by members in the various PHFN activities.  This would involve a "Hands On" commitment and input by members, and hopefully relieve the "Old Timers" of some of their past volunteer responsibilities.  PHFN has always tried to provde more than entertainment value for members, and perhaps some consideration should be given to new directions and different interests, but this must come from the membership.

FEBRUARY 14 - Presentation:  "Radon Gas", Presenter:  Luc Lance
MARCH 14 - Presentation:  "Survival and GPS Orienteering", Presenter:  Sandy Guse
APRIL 11 - Presentation:  "Wildlife in Souther Arizona", Presenters:  Terry Carr and Steve Van Duin

Mystery solved!  Those who attended the January PHFN General Meeting were treated to truly beautiful photographs of this unique area. [Jim Johnston advises that he uses an Olympus E100 SLR digital camera]  The Penokean Hills are located between the Great Lakes- St. Lawrence boreal forest and the Abitibi uplands which means that we are blessed with the flora and fauna of to ecosystems in addition to being geographically and geographically centrally located.  This is a "transitional forest" zone and for many species of plants and animals this area is their natural boundary, and in many instances their ranges overlap.  We are lucky to live in, and be part of this world of living things. The wolf from the north and the coyote from the south, from shy and rare northern to abundant southern wild flowers and plants.  We are also in the northernmost zone (between Manitoulin Island and Chapleau) for maples since none are found further north.  Jim's knowledge and enthusiasm made the hour fly by much too quickly.

Trip leaders should be contacted for specific dates and particulars.  There will be sign-up sheets available at the appropriate General Meetings.  Should there be any changes necessary, they will be posted on the PHFN website.

February 2006
Winter Photography
Dan Humeniuk 848-0940

March 2006
Bird "Sanctuaries" of the North
Terry Carr 461-9123

Survival & Tracking
Jim Johnston 848-7377

Attached to the December Wolf Howl was a full-colour publication on two invasive insects of particular concern to us.  The Emerald Ash Borers have been found in northern Michigan, and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency would like to be notified if we find evidence of their proliferation to our area.  We remember what happened to all our elm trees about 50 years ago and the more recent problems with the Spruce Bud Worm.  Your assistance is requested in locating these destructive pests and reporting to CFIA.

The Baillie Birdathon is a fund-raising activity sponsored by Bird Studies Canada.  Its purpose is to track migrating birds in May.   Participants register with BSC, find sponsors who will pledge monetary support, and choose a day in that month when they go out and record individual species.  Pledges are then collected and both money and species count are submitted to BSC.

The neat part is that participants can direct a portion of the money they raise toward their club.  In 2005, PHFN was the recipient of $370.75, reflecting the participation of two members, Elizabeth Matheson and Joyce MacKenzie.  Joyce teamed up with her daughter, Nikki, whose workmates were very entusiastic sponsors; Joyce and Nikki sent in $1080.00 to BSC!  Elizabeth, who had never done this before 2003, collected $423.00 in pledges, much of it from PHFN members.

The Birdathon is really a win-win situation all around.  BSC receives valuable information plus significant funds.  PHFN is the beneficiary as well.  And sponsors who pledge $10.00 or more receive a tax receipt.

Stop the spread of destructive pests by not moving firewood or other types of wood from regulated areas.

These include: Trees, Nursery Stock, Pruned Branches, Logs and Forest Products with bark attached.

A particular threat is the presence of The Asian Long-horned Beetle in the Toronto/Vaughn area in Ontario, and The Emerald Ash Borer in Southwestern Ontario.

For further information visit the Canadian Food Inspection Agency website at www.inspection.gc.ca (after entering site choose "Invasive Alien Species" from the "Hot Topics" menu)