Saturday 26 September; Rain Date Sunday 27 September
10:00 AM – approximately 12:00 PM (noon)
Meeting Location: Macnamara Trail Head (McNab St., Arnprior).
(please note that there are no bathroom facilities)
From Highway 417 exit at County Road 29 (exit 180) and head north to Madawaska Boulevard. Turn left onto Madawaska Boulevard and continue for 1 km to McNab Street. Turn right on McNab Street (just after RONA) and look for the Macnamara Trail parking lot on the right after the entrance to the Nylene Canada plant.
Leaders: Art Goldsmith and Dr. Owen Clarkin
Dr. Owen Clarkin (a woody plant expert) and Art Goldsmith (who claims to know a thing or two – and he does) will lead the group around the Mac Trail with a specific focus on woody plants (trees) and shrubs. While this is a major mushroom year, they will only look at 2 or 3 interesting ones and will also show people the Walking Fern, and one or two other ferns of interest.
Birds are preparing for migrations, and many species have stopped here after arriving from the North. We will NOT focus on birds, but Art will point out any species, and help ID one or two only. In late September, birds can easily require a full day on the Mac Trail!
Solid, comfortable closed-toe footwear and ability to walk for the duration of the hike is required. (While on your own you may be accustomed to wearing sandals on hikes, as a courtesy to the group, please do not risk a foot injury when on a group outing.) Please bring water to drink, sunscreen, bug spray and/or bug jacket and dress for the weather with long pants tucked into your socks (poison ivy and ticks). Binoculars, a hand lens (small personal magnifying glass) and a camera are always a good idea if you have them. Please also note that many locations we visit are in areas where picking flora of any kind is either not advisable or outright banned. Please do not pick anything while on group outings as it could reflect poorly on the club as a whole.
A note about Covid: Participant numbers will be restricted to those allowed by local Health bylaws so register early and only if you truly know you can come. You may register yourself and anyone in your own household only. Participation will be on a first come first registered basis. Confirmation emails will be sent.
We will be maintaining physical distancing requirements. Please bring a non-medical mask in the event the group decides by consensus that this is necessary. Please do not come if you are ill or have come in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. Register at events@mfnc.ca (please include your full name) no later than Wednesday September 23rd.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.