Spring Walk Along the Rideau River - Spring Flowers, Invasive Species, and Why This Corridor Matters
A boardwalk over a muddy patch, with early ferns and other lacey greenery on each side.
Have you ever wondered, as you drive along Riverside Drive north of Hunt Club, what is hidden from view along the Rideau River shore? On May 2, come and join this Jane's Walk and experience first hand what you've been missing. . This diamond in the rough is not only ready for our walking pleasure, but is an essential natural corridor for flora and fauna to survive in our urban jungle. This is part of the Southern Corridor, an inner horseshoe of greenspace which is home to rabbits and coyotes, ducks and bald eagles, beaver and groundhogs, mosquitoes and bees. All are important in the circle of life at our backdoor.
We will explore the natural history, examine the rock formations of the escarpment, identify some of the special trees in this mixed forest, and look for the spring flowers along the way. We will identify varieties of invasive species and see their impact on the local habitat.
For history buffs, we will share a few stories about the previous uses of the land in this area. We'll walk up to the escarpment with a view to the west across the Rideau River, and then turn around and head back to our starting point.
The walk will go ahead if there is light rainfall but will be cancelled in the case of heavy rain, thunderstorms or windy conditions which make it unsafe to be in the wooded area.
