| Exercising your dog can be a great way to enjoy the outdoors however:
Dogs must be on a leash at all times Dogs off leash can disturb environmentally sensitive areas where small animals, ground-nesting birds and habitat may be disturbed. Owners are also required to “stoop and scoop” after their pets. (Clarington Municipal By-law 2006-227) Please minimize disturbance, widening or cutting new trails. This conservation effort will ensure that natural spaces and significant habitats in the Orono Crown Lands will be preserved and protected for present and future generations. Help us preserve the beauty of the lands by carrying all refuse out with you, or deposit in containers located at main entrances. No motorized vehicles allowed, except for maintenance and special occasion allowances. |
| Linton Trail Interpretive Walking Guide
| ||
| linton_trail.pdf |
Please print this map, and take it with you! Just save it to your computer and print at home.
Roy Forrester
Butterfly Garden
In 2006 a native perennial butterfly garden was constructed in the events area of the Orono Crown Lands. 85 perennials were planted in a bed of soil which had been prepared the previous fall.
We watched in earnest as Mother Nature supplied the necessary ingredients required to transform our dreams into a reality; plenty of moisture followed by bright sunny days. Just what the doctor had ordered.
As the plants started to bloom our guests began arriving. Bees, moths and butterflies feasted on the nectar. If you create a butterfly garden then why not turn it into a Certified Monarch Waystation?
Butterfly garden in full bloom, late summer
Monarch Waystation
A Monarch Waystation is an intermediate station between principal stations on a line of travel. If we imagine the principal stations for Monarchs to be the over-wintering sites in Mexico and the points of reproduction in the breeding season, then you can visualize the value of resource-rich Waystations along the annual fall and spring migrations. Without resources in the form of nectar, fall migratory butterflies would be unable to make the journey to Mexico. Similarly without milkweeds along the entire route north in the spring and summer months, Monarchs would not be able to produce the successive generations that culminate in the migration each fall.
In August 2006, at our annual Corn Roast and BBQ, surrounded by friends and four generations of family members we dedicated our butterfly garden to an avid naturalist Roy Forrester, who had worked tirelessly over the years to raise awareness about outdoor conservation.
Roy was presented with a Certificate of Registration from Monarch Watch, University of Kansas certifying the Roy Forrester Butterfly Garden as Waystation #753 along the migratory route between Canada and Mexico.
Less than three years later, there are now 2,968 registered Monarch Waystations.
Monarch Chrysalis, photo Jim Richards
| 
Monarch Larvae, photo Jim Richards
| 
Monarch Adult, photo Jim Richards
|
Monarch life cycle
If you want to attract and sustain Monarchs then you need the necessary ingredients: milkweeds, nectar sources and shelter. Milkweed, some might ask? Milkweed is a required ingredient to complete the Monarchs' life cycle. Life begins on the underside of a milkweed leaf when the female deposits an egg no larger than the head of a pin.
The striped caterpillar that emerges 3 to 12 days later immediately starts feeding on milkweed plants. Within two weeks the larva will have multiplied its original weight by 2,700.
The larva sheds its skin five times as it grows. The final shedding occurs when the fully developed caterpillar has stopped eating and located a sheltered perch. Here the larva weaves a dense mat of silk, then grips the fiber while violently dislodging its last larval skin to reveal the pupa.
This fragile blue-green pouch, studded with gold spots that control colour in the developing wings, turns transparent in about two weeks, exposing the features of a grown butterfly. As the adult gingerly exits the chrysalis it pumps body fluid into its wings. Once expanded the adult soars away to feast on nectar and propagate a new generation.
The Shade Shelter, NEW in 2011!
In partnership with community members and local businesses the shelter was built by Courtice Secondary High School students. It's purpose will be to host environmental seminars and workshops by interested youth groups or the public. We hope you enjoy the shelter and picnic area and ask that you take your waste and recyclables with you.
In partnership with community members and local businesses the shelter was built by Courtice Secondary High School students. It's purpose will be to host environmental seminars and workshops by interested youth groups or the public. We hope you enjoy the shelter and picnic area and ask that you take your waste and recyclables with you.
Bird Houses
We have birdhouses placed throughout the area to attract species such as:
The birdhouses are monitored and cleaned by OCLT Stewards, and if you'd like to help let us know!
- Eastern Bluebird
- Tree Swallow
- House Wren
- American Kestrel
- Eastern Screech-Owl
The birdhouses are monitored and cleaned by OCLT Stewards, and if you'd like to help let us know!
Bird Feeders
We have several bird feeders that can be found when hiking the trails. They are maintained by OCLT volunteers (Stewards) from November to April.
