This page is for announcements of current events and reports on nature-related issues. News and reports on environmental issues will now be found under Environment.

 

To submit your announcement or report:

1. Log in and click on the "Edit" tab above.

2. Enter your announcement (include a title) just above the previous one, leaving a space after it.

3. Add your name, unless you'd prefer to remain anonymous.

4. Click on "Save" below.

 

For more information about editing go to Contributing to the Wiki.

 

Birder's Guide

Don Hall has provided a digital copy of A Birder's Guide to the Sault Ste. Marie Border Area by Ed Czerwinski. Click here to download a copy. Note that the document is in a format that isn't readable on line, so you'll need to print it out.

 

Biodiversity Conservation

Diane Meyer of the Michigan Sierra Club's Three Lakes Group has informed us of the Michigan DNR's plan to identify "Biodiversity Stewardship Areas" and take steps to conserve them. Clubs and individuals are urged to nominate high-quality natural communities for inclusion in the DNRs list of stewardship areas. You can upload a Conservation Area Recommendation Form for this purpose. Contact Amy Clark Eagle (517-335-3351, eagle4a@michigan.gov) for answers to any questions you have about the program.

 

The following information is from the DNR's website, http://www.michigan.gov/dnr.

 

Conserving biodiversity is essential for the health of Michigan's ecosystems, species populations, and individual plants and animals. It allows them to more easily adapt to changes in their environment, such as changes in climate, loss of habitat, or new diseases.

The DNR has several strategies for conserving biodiversity. The primary strategy at the ecosystem level is contained in the Biodiversity Conservation Planning Process (BCPP) which strives to establish a statewide network of Biodiversity Stewardship Areas (BSAs) that will contain examples of high quality, representative natural communities (or groups of natural communities).

The DNR is in the process of implementing the BCPP on a regional basis. An implementation plan summary and an implementation diagram have been developed to illustrate the process. At the heart of the process is a Core Design Team for each of four ecoregions. These will be collaborative teams composed of DNR staff, and other governmental and public representatives. They are responsible for seeking public input and additional information regarding potential BSAs and then recommending a set of BSAs for their ecoregion that will best achieve the BCPP goal for biodiversity conservation.

Core Design Teams will have many tools and resources available to help them with their deliberations. A preliminary analysis for each ecoregion will be completed that provides a potential set of BSAs for consideration. Community Summary documents for each of the 76 natural communities of Michigan have also been developed for use by Core Design Teams. Additionally, a series of public information gathering workshops have been scheduled in each ecoregion for the purpose of seeking recommendations for specific sites to be considered for inclusion in the network.

Public participation in this process is encouraged. Individuals with knowledge of areas with examples of high quality natural communities are asked to attend one of the public information gathering workshops and share this information. The public may also submit recommendations for specific natural communities to Core Design Teams by using the Conservation Area Recommendation Form.

(Sept. 17, 2009)

 

New Mushroom Calendar

 

Mushroom photographer Taylor Lockwood is offering a calendar, which will be available in a few weeks, featuring some spectacular mushroom photos from America and around the world. See the cover at:

http://www.kingdomoffungi.com/a_pages/cal-a10_cover.php

It is a 13-month (Jan. 2010 to Jan. 2011) calendar, and a sample month is at

http://www.kingdomoffungi.com/a_pages/cal-a10.october.php. If you would like one or more calendars, email "Taylor F. Lockwood" 

<taylor@kingdomoffungi.com>. The retail price is $14.95. Quantities will be limited.

(Sept. 10, 2009)

 

Rock On with Lake Superior Agates

 

Karen Brzys, our October speaker, has sent a news release about a rock show dedicated to Lake Superior agate collectors and enthusiasts. Muskallonge Lake State Park will host the second annual “Rock On with Lake Superior Agates.”  This free show will take place at the state park in Deer Park, MI on Saturday, September 19, 2009 from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.  The event is being sponsored by the Gitche Gumee Agate and History Museum, located 20 miles west in Grand Marais. Download Rock On for more information.

 

Betty Nassoiy's Passing

 

We received the following message from Paulette Attie, a neighbor of Betty Nassoiy from Birch Point.

 Just wanted you to know that Batty Nassoiy passed away on Wednesday, September 2, at 2:00 a.m..  Her daughter Aimee was at her side.  I know she was an active member of your organization and your membership would like to know of her passing.  We will miss her dearly on Birch Point Beach.  Paulette, a neighbor.

 

There was no funeral. Instead, a small group of her relatives and neighbours had a memorial for her Sunday, Sept 6, on the beach by her home.

 

Val Walker writes "Many have been touched by Betty over the years and we will never forget this elegant lady."

 

From Sault Evening News Death Notice

NASSOIY, BETTY R., of Brimley, Michigan died Wednesday, September 2, 2009 at Freighter View Assisted Living. She was born June 20, 1922 in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.

(September 6, 2009)

 

Obituary from Sault Evening News

Elizabeth “Betty” Rae Finlayson Nassoiy

Betty Rae Nassoiy, of Birch Point Beach, MI died on September 2, 2009 in Sault Ste. Marie,  MI.  She was born in the Sault June 20th 1922, to Donald and Margaret (Raeburn) Finlayson.

Betty grew up in the Sault, and achieved her undergraduate degree at University of MI. Betty lived in many other places throughout her life.  She earned a master’s degree in social work in Colorado. 

She met her husband Duke, in the bay area of California, where she was working with amputee soldiers from the war.  Married in California, Duke and Betty were stationed in many places during Duke’s career in the US Air Force.  They lived in Mississippi, Oklahoma, England, Missouri, New Jersey, Alaska, Washington DC, and New York State.  Betty explored each place she lived with adventurous enthusiasm, and volunteered in different ways. 

Betty and Duke volunteered as ski patrol in Alaska. Returning to Birch Point Beach, Michigan in the early 1970’s, they built their retirement home here, and actively traveled throughout the northwoods, canoeing, hiking, skiing and backpacking.

Widowed in 1983, Betty continued to adventure with friends and relatives, traveling in Europe, Central America, Canada, and the US southwest, by foot, boat, skis, and bike. 

Betty volunteered with the Lake State Elder program, and with the Voyageur Trail Association.  Betty’s love of life, and sense of humor was contagious, inspiring people who knew her. 

Betty is survived by her son Edward of Birch Point Beach, Michigan, and her daughter Aimee of Lopez Island, Washington; as well as her sister and brother-in-law Gene “Bubs” and Harry Regenstreif of Ann Arbor, Michigan, and sister-in-law Fran Finlayson of the Sault.  Her grandson Robyn N. Minkler lives in Portland, Oregon. 

There are numerous other friends and relations who will miss Betty’s smile, laughter, sense of human justice, and love of life. She is preceded in death, by her husband Duke Nassoiy, her brothers Jack and Don Finlayson, and her sister in law Katie Finlayson.

Betty’s life will be celebrated in a small private ceremony, on her beloved beach, today, Sunday, September 6th.  She is cremated and will be scattered in the wild places she loved.  We invite you to do something you love on today, and remember Betty.

Memorial contributions can be made to Amnesty International, Chippewa County Hospice, or the organization of your choice. Clark Bailey Newhouse Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.

(September 7, 2009)

 

Reptiles at Risk on the Road Project

 

Joe Crowley, Ontario Herpetofaunal Atlas Project Coordinator, sent on the following information from Jeff Hathaway about this reptiles project. He says "It is an excellent opportunity to learn more about Ontario's reptiles and to see many of our native species up close and personal. For any groups interested, we could arrange for a joint presentation between this program and Ontario Nature's new Herpetofaunal Atlas program. The Sciensational Sssnakes! segment would provide information about Ontario's reptiles using live animals while the herp atlas portion (which could be kept short to 10 mins or so) would provide you with information about how to get involved in the new atlas program. Please note that Jeff is trying to work out the presentation schedule for the fall/winter this week so if you are interested you should contact him (or myself) immediately." (joec@ontarionature.org, 705 742-0518)

 

Greetings from the Reptiles at Risk on the Road Project!
 Our project is a partnership between Sciensational Sssnakes!!, Scales Nature Park, Laurentian University, and CARCNET. We have received funding from Environment Canada's Habitat Stewardship Program and the Ministry of Natural Resources Species at Risk Stewardship Fund to provide educational programming about reptiles at risk. We have a variety of target areas where Ontario's reptile species at risk may be found and are looking for groups and events within these areas that would work well for one of our free programs. At this time we are scheduling events for the fall season of September to November, in the following target areas: the Carolinian zone, the Bruce peninsula, the eastern Georgian Bay region, the Land Between, and the Frontenac arch.

We are contacting groups like yours in our target areas because you already have an enthusiastic interest in your local environment.  We greatly appreciate the work your groups are already doing for species at risk, and would like to provide you with further information about the reptile species in your area. At this time we are asking you to help us by making us aware of any gatherings that your group is planning to have this fall, or available dates for possible gatherings, that might work well for one of our programs. We will be doing many school programs, but will especially be looking at venues to visit in the evenings and on weekends. These programs are free of charge to groups in our target areas. Please understand that we will not be able to visit all venues, however we will try to fit in as many as possible.

Our programs are run in two parts, beginning with a 40-45 minute presentation featuring live animals of various native species. This is followed by a hands-on experience where the audience is given the opportunity to touch or hold many of the animals and ask questions. Many of the species we use in our programs are species at risk in Ontario, and we feel that education is one way to ensure these animals will be present for
future generations.

For more information please visit www.reptilesatrisk.org or www.scisnake.com

Feel free to contact us by e-mail at jeff@scisnake.com or by phone at 
705-327-2353.

Thank you for your assistance, and we look forward to hearing from you in the very near future—

Jeff Hathaway

(Forwarded by Tony Walker Sept. 2, 2009)

 

STAC Committee Meeting.

 

At the August 6, 2009 meeting of the Sault Trails Advocacy Committee, the following matters were considered: HUB Trail priorities, the Fort Creek and Waterfront Extension, Current Construction, a Great Northern Road Traffic Study, the Finn Hill Grand Opening, and the Jim Miller Trailhead. Click here to upload the Minutes of the meeting.

 

Play "Tag" with the Birds: Be a CamClickr!

 

We received the following message from Tina Phillips, project leader of NestWatch (nestwatch@cornell.edu)

 

Dear Birding Friend, 

We need your keen eye and quick fingers! As you may know, we have live cameras positioned at active bird nests all around the country. Since 1999, we’ve archived more than eight million images from these NestCams. To help sort through the images, we developed CamClickr’an online tool you can use to view the images and sort them into albums, then tag each image by the type of behavior you see: preening, eating, feeding chicks, etc. 

What’s in it for you? NestCams allow you to peek into the nests of Barn Owls, bluebirds, Wood Ducks, and other birds for an up-close look at fascinating bird behavior. CamClickr will appeal not only to bird lovers, but to people who enjoy testing their skills with online games. When you help sort and tag the camera images, you collect points and compete for prizes such as binoculars, DVDs, books and posters. It's easy and fun! 

Why do we need your help? By using CamClickr to help tag and sort the NestCam images, you help scientists studying breeding bird behavior. The more we understand about bird behavior, the better equipped we are to understand how birds are responding to threats in their environment. 

Just visit www.camclickr.org to create an account. This allows you to chat in the NestCam forums, tag photos, and track your stats in CamClickr anytime. You can check your rankings in ‘my sessions’ to see how you stack up against other taggers. The redesigned CamClickr home page also provides the latest Twitter feeds. Educators will appreciate the newly developed lesson plan, appropriate for all ages, and easily modified for individualized instruction. You can watch videos of fascinating nesting behaviors from the Lab's Macaulay Library. 

Make it your summer project to help science and the birds—be a CamClickr!

 

(Forwarded by Dave Euler, July 8, 2009)

 

Ontario Nature Information

 Barbara MacKenzie-Wynia, Central and Northern Regional Co-ordinator of Ontario Nature, has provided the ON files described here. Click on the appropriate links to download them.

Ontario Nature Network Directory Summer 2009.pdf

As in previous years we are distributing a directory of club contacts for the Ontario Nature Network. This information is compiled from the updates provided at the Spring Regional meetings. The intention of this document is so you can easily contact other members of the network if needed. Changes can be emailed to naturenetwork@ontarionature.org for our records.  Please respect that this document contains personal information. Please do not copy or circulate. This Directory of Member Groups is provided to Ontario Nature Presidents, Ontario Nature Representatives, Ontario Nature staff and Regional Directors to be used solely for member group communication. We take great care to respect the privacy of our members and consequently we do not release this document to the public, commercial enterprises or government agencies. Please do not copy or distribute this Directory without the express permission of the member groups and individuals herein.

2009 Newsletter Contacts.xls

Thank you to everyone who provided their newsletter information at our regional meetings. This information has been compiled and provided to you in order for you to share your communications with other members of the network. What a great way to strengthen the network and learn about othersˇ˝ activities. Newsletters are sorted by region (CE = Carolinian East, CW = Carolinian West, East = Ontario East, GLW = Great Lakes West, LON = Lake Ontario North, PP = Provincial Partner). If you have specific questions about the newsletter I encourage you to contact the club that provided the information via the directory. If you have additions please email them to naturenetwork@ontarionature.org

3) 2009 Speakers List

Thank you to everyone who provided their speaker information at our regional meetings. This information has been compiled and provided to you in order for you to assist you in selecting potential speakers for your meetings and/or AGMs. Speakers are sorted by region (CE = Carolinian East, CW = Carolinian West, East = Ontario East, GLW = Great Lakes West, LON = Lake Ontario North). If you have specific questions about the speaker I encourage you to contact the club that provided the speaker information. In cases where contact information for the speaker was not provided the representativeˇ˝s email was provided. Please contact them for additional information. Ontario Nature does not endorse any speakers.

To see what Ontario Nature has accomplished recently, download their Champions of Nature Donor Report.

 

(Forwarded by Tony Walker, June 30 & July 17, 2009)

 

New Ontario Herpetofaunal Atlas Program at Ontario Nature

Ontario Nature, in partnership with the Eastern Ontario Model Forest (EOMF), the Natural Heritage Information Centre (NHIC) and other governmental and nongovernmental groups, has begun work on a new Ontario Herpetofaunal Atlas Program. The purpose of this project is to compile records of reptile and amphibian observations in Ontario through public solicitation of observation data, field surveys and amalgamation of existing databases.

They encourage volunteers to submit observations of reptiles and amphibians found throughout Ontario. Observations can be submitted via an online form, an Excel spreadsheet (useful for submitting a lot of data) and a printable data card. The Excel sheet and data card are available on the Ontario Nature Herpetofaunal Atlas website www.ontarionature.org/herpetofaunal_atlas.html and the online reporting tool will be available in the near future.

The Eastern Ontario Herpetofaunal Atlas www.eomf.on.ca/atlas is part of this provincial atlas program but contains data submission forms, species distribution maps, and other program content specific to eastern Ontario. Any observations of reptiles and amphibians from Ontario's 5 eastern-most counties (Leeds & Grenville; Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry; Prescott & Russell; Ottawa; and Lanark) should be submitted to the eastern Ontario atlas.

ON will be organizing presentations and training workshops for groups that are interested in participating in the atlas. Presentations will provide an overview of the local herpetofauna, techniques and tips for reptile and amphibian surveys and an overview of the atlas project.  Workshops will also be offered to local groups and are intended to provide hands-on training while surveying a local area of interest.

Contact Joe Crowley, Ontario Herpetofaunal Atlas Project Coordinator for Ontario Nature, at joec@ontarionature.org or 705 742-0518 to find out more about these opportunities.

 

Second Annual Research Merit Award

The Sault Naturalists Executive, meeting on April 3, 2008, voted to authorize an award for the best LSSU Biology/Fisheries & Wildlife senior theses on a natural history or environmental conservation topic. On April 3, 2009, club members Leslie Askwith, Jean Mannesto, and John Lehman selected the winner of the second Research Merit Award, which provides $100 to the LSSU student research project that best meets the objectives of the award program. The following news release was provided by John Shibley of LSSU.

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – A naturalists club with membership from Michigan and Ontario has given its annual research merit cash award to Lake Superior State University student Peter N. Bonneau, a graduating senior in biology from Canton, Mich. He received a $100 check from Sault Naturalists Club officers Leslie Askwith and John Lehman for his senior research project to detect and measure an enzyme associated with a devastating fish disease.

          Bonneau used an enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA) procedure to both detect and quantify the presence of an enzyme linked to Early Mortality Syndrome in fish. Fisheries scientists can now use it as a tool to quantify the likelihood of EMS in an ecosystem or hatchery. His work to detect the enzyme was his required senior-level thesis, while the analytical method that measures its concentration fulfilled the thesis portion of his participation in LSSU's Honors program.

         "The Honors program offered me an opportunity to study subjects I may not have otherwise had the opportunity to study," said Bonneau. "Like most competitive pre-med students, I found interest in a myriad of topics outside of my primary fields of biology and chemistry. The honors program allowed me the excuse to study a diversity of material, gain a broader perspective of human existence, and ultimately be a better-rounded individual."

          Honors students must graduate with a minimum grade point average of 3.5 and complete 21 Honors credits, including a senior-year honors thesis reviewed and approved by a council of five faculty members and at least three students.

          Bonneau was also a Hart Scholar during his years at Lake State. The scholarship is named for the late Philip A. Hart, who served Michigan in the U.S. Senate between 1958 and 1976. Hart earned the title of "conscience of the Senate" from colleagues due to the way he conducted politics. Since inception in 1977, more than 130 Hart scholarships have been awarded to LSSU students who have gone on to become doctors, teachers, engineers, nurses, and executives in the world of business.

          Bonneau plans to enter medical school this fall at Wayne State University through the U.S. Air Force Health Professions scholarship program. After his residency he will practice as a family physician in the Air Force.

          The Sault Naturalists presents a $100 award annually to a Lake Superior State University student for an outstanding research project that extends scientific knowledge of the natural world and may help to maintain a healthy environment.

          The Sault Naturalists Club is active in environmental advocacy, stewardship, and education. It has participated in the planning process for national and provincial parks. Its goals promote an appreciation, preservation, and conservation of the Eastern Lake Superior region's natural heritage. The organization holds monthly programs and periodic field trips to local areas of natural history interest. Information about upcoming meetings, outings, and relevant topics is available from the club’s website, Soonats.pbworks.com.

 

Fisheries Management Zone 10: Lake Trout Operational Objectives and Management Strategies 

Check out the newest Fact Sheet on Lake Trout and the proposed changes to this recreational fisheries: http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/267914.pdf

For a condensed version of the changes and the Club's direction see: FMZ10 Public Input.pdf

 

Quebec to Protect 50% of Northern Boreal Forest

On Sunday April 5, Quebec's Premier Jean Charest announced the creation of 14 new national parks and additions to another, totaling 4.5 million acres (135,326 sq km) of new protected areas in the Boreal Forest. This brings Quebec's total protected areas to just over 8% of its land – a dramatic increase from 1% just 5 years ago. Charest also pledged to protect at least 50% of northern Quebec's Boreal Forest and an additional 4% in the south, officially following up on a campaign promise made last summer. These additional commitments total more than 250,000 square miles (625,000 sq km) – an area the size of Texas. Go to http://www.borealbirds.org/ (the Boreal Songbird Network) for more information about Boreal Forest issues and to sign up for Boreal bird e-mail updates.

 

(Forwarded by Dave Euler April 7, 2009)

 

Wind Turbines at Algonquin Park

A wind energy development (48 industrial sized turbines) is planned for 2500 hectares adjacent to the border of Algonquin Park near the East Gate.  You may want to check out the Keep Whitney Wild Website at http://www.keepwhitneywild.com/   to find out more about this situation.

From Barbara MacKenzie-Wynia, Central and Northern Region Co-ordinator of Ontario Nature,

Mar. 3, 2009

Email: barbaraw@ontarionature.org

 

Report Your Robin Sightings

Keep your eyes open for any Robins, tell your friends and family to watch for Robins. 

Report your sightings on the Journey North website. If

you've never seen it before, you're in for a treat, there are several migration maps on different species of birds, whales and Monarchs. It 

shows the northward progression in spring, the first sightings in spring, even the

first frogs of spring. Check it out.

 

From John Ralston, forwarded by Dave Euler Feb 20, 2009

 

Fisheries Management Zone 10 Council Report/Lake Trout Fact Sheet

As the Club’s representative on the Fisheries Management Zone 10 Council, I am sending you this ‘hot off the press Lake Trout Fact Sheet. This fact sheet summarizes the state of the lake trout resource in Northeastern Ontario. It also highlights the province’s new Ecological Framework for recreational Fisheries Management.

 

 Ontario is now divided into 20 Fisheries Management Units (as opposed to the former 37 Fishing Divisions). The Algoma District is included in Zone 10. As you may be aware, the Ministry of Natural Resources has created a council made up of local stakeholder representatives to help develop management strategies for our local sports fishery. The focus of the Zone 10 Council is on a plan for the sustainability of lake trout. Right now, lake trout here are in poor health overall with 27% of lake trout lakes in decline and 41% considered degraded.

 

Zone 10 Council recommendation for changes in the 2010 Lake Trout Fishing Regulations is reflective of the need to reduce the harvest of lake trout via a reduction in the daily catch limit as well as a reduction in the open season. Here is Council’s recommendation:

Lake Trout limit = 2 /day

1 any size

1 less than 40 cm

Season: Feb 15 Sept 30

 (Currently 3 LT any size, Jan 1- Sept 30)

 

In addition, there are 37 “recovery” lake trout lakes that have been identified in Zone 10 that have proposed restrictions to further limit harvest.

 

A Ministry of Natural Resources public consultation is planned for this March, so watch this wiki www.soonats.pbworks.com for your opportunity to comment on this important issue.

 

Sincerely,

Valerie Walker

 

Ecological Framework for Recreational Fisheries Management in Ontario

In January 2008, the Ministry of Natural Resources created 20 new fisheries management zones (FMZ) based on biological, climatic and social criteria. These FMZs will become the unit of management for the majority of lakes so that fish populations are monitored, assessed and regulated at the zone level. Each new fisheries management zone will have an advisory council, which will help develop management strategies for the zones. Valerie Walker is a member of the FMZ 10 advisory council, which includes the Algoma District. Click on EFFM.doc to download a file with more information and maps.

 

File from Val Walker, Jan 9, 2009

 

Michigan Audubon Chapter Directory Available 

A directory of Michigan Audubon chapters (Excel format) can be downloaded by clicking on ChapDir_ revision 01 07 09 cmm.xls.

 

Project FeederWatch

Go to Feeder Watch.

 

Piping Plover Watch 2008

Go to Piping Plover Watch.

 

World Bird Populations in Decline

Bird Studies Canada reports that common birds are in decline across the world, providing evidence of a rapid deterioration in the global environment that is affecting all life on Earth, including human life, according to a report released this week at BirdLife International’s World Conference in Buenos Aires.

   The State of the World’s Birds publication and website highlight population declines of more than 50% over the last 40 years for 20 of North America’s most common bird species. These include boreal breeders (such as Evening Grosbeak, Greater Scaup, and Boreal Chickadee) and numerous grassland species (Eastern Meadowlark, Loggerhead Shrike, Field Sparrow, and Grasshopper Sparrow). The story is the same for birds migrating between North American and Latin America. Over half (57%) of neotropical migrants monitored on their breeding grounds have suffered from population declines over the last four decades, including migratory species such as the Chimney Swift, Bobolink, and Canada Warbler.

   The report identifies many key global threats, including human-induced climate change, the intensification of industrial-scale agriculture and fishing, the spread of invasive species, logging, and the replacement of natural forest with monocultural plantations. “Though there is much we still need to learn about what is driving the declines, loss and degradation of habitat are usually implicated,” according to Jon McCracken, Bird Studies Canada’s Director of National Programs.

   Large-scale public participation in monitoring and habitat stewardship is integral to the conservation of North American birds. “Through Bird Studies Canada programs such as the Christmas Bird Count and Project FeederWatch, volunteer ‘Citizen Scientists’ play a vital role in gathering information about bird population status and trends. Their findings help researchers understand how changes in our landscape are affecting birds and biodiversity,” said McCracken.

 

Forwarded by Tony Walker, Sept. 26, 2008

 

New Viewing Platforms Completed

The viewing platform in SSM at the Marina is complete and the city is installing a brick walkway to it from the parking lot.  I haven’t seen it yet, but it sounds good.  To find the platform, turn at the Pine street–Queen street intersection and drive or walk towards the river.  Then go to the end of the parking lot and look towards the shore and you will see it.

The viewing platform at Pumpkin Point is finished and ready for use. It is smaller because we had to stretch the money to build it, but it will be a nice addition to our catalogue of viewing platforms.

 

Dave Euler, August 28, 2008

 

New Device of Interest to Naturalists

Travelers should check out an amazing new communication device called SPOT. Whether you’re canoeing arctic rivers or just driving in northern Ontario or Michigan, SPOT could really add to your peace of mind, and it could save your life.

 

Spot uses GPS and satellite communications to (amoung other things) send distress signals to your family, or rescue authorities. It not only lets people know you are in trouble, it also tells them your exact location.

 

Check out the details at one of the following websites. 

http://www.findmespot.com/explorespot/servicepricing.aspx

http://www.gpscentral.ca/products/spot.html

http://www.equipped.org/SPOT_ORSummer2007.htm

 

Don Hall