From preserving the habitats of bats and bumblebees to enhancing trails and cleaning up a popular park, residents in the Kawarthas are being recognized for their innovative environmental initiatives.

The Rotary Environmental Innovators Fund (REIF) unveiled the recipients of its prestigious annual awards that honour individuals’ outstanding efforts in environmental conservation and sustainability.

Five local environmental “trailblazers” were recognized during a gathering on April 19 at Camp Kawartha in Douro-Dummer.

Catherine Legault, REIF manager, told kawarthaNOW what made the awards special this year.

“What stands out most is the breadth of issues addressed by our applicants,” Legault said. “From biodiversity conservation to sustainable technology solutions, we’ve seen a broad spectrum of innovative projects aimed at tackling pressing environmental challenges in our region.”

“This increased awareness and support signify a significant step forward in our collective environmental stewardship and sustainability efforts. Witnessing the growing impact of REIF’s outreach and the tangible difference it’s making in our communities is inspiring.”

The collaborative efforts of community organizations like Cleantech Commons at Trent University, Community Futures Peterborough, the Innovation Cluster Peterborough and the Kawarthas, and Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development, alongside the unified support from five Rotary Clubs (Rotary Club of Peterborough, Rotary Club of Peterborough Kawartha, Rotary Club of Bridgenorth-Ennismore-Lakefield, and Rotary Club of Fenelon Falls), have certainly made a difference, REIF noted in a media release.

“These projects exemplify the spirit of innovation and dedication to environmental conservation that the REIF aims to support,” said Graham Wilkins, REIF chair in a statement. “Each award reflects the passion and creativity of individuals devoted to protecting the environment. May dedication inspire us all to continue our journey towards a sustainable future.”

Three “environmental pioneers” were each granted $3,500 for their initiatives promoting environmental sustainability and raising ecological awareness. The recipients are:

Sarah Jamieson, Moths & Bats

Pollinators like the rusty-patched bumblebee and monarch butterflies are declining rapidly, with alarming statistics suggesting significant population decreases. Moths, often overlooked, face similar threats and are poorly studied.

Jamieson’s research aims to understand the intricate connections between moths, plants, and bats to preserve their habitats and populations better. It includes uniting local citizen scientists and inspiring gardeners to support nighttime ecosystems to encourage conservation actions.

Katie Krelove, Catchacoma Old Growth Trail Enhancement

The Catchacoma Forest Stewardship Committee aims to enhance public hiking trails in the Catchacoma Forest, highlighting its rare old-growth eastern hemlock ecosystem.

The project will raise awareness and support for the forest’s protected status through educational signage and guided activities, including recreational, educational, and research opportunities. By engaging community volunteers, the project will create accessible trails and informative signage to promote conservation values and biodiversity appreciation.

Maria Coates, Flora’s Reign

Flora’s Reign is an augmented reality (AR) mobile game where players restore nature by planting and nurturing virtual gardens of native plants in real-world locations.

It educates children and families about biodiversity, ecosystem balance, and conservation principles while fostering curiosity and sparking real-world action for ecosystem regeneration.

Through AR technology and community engagement, the game innovatively bridges digital entertainment with ecological awareness, empowering players to become stewards of the environment.

“Our club is inspired by the remarkable individuals and organizations,” said Betty Halman-Plumley, president of the Rotary Club of Peterborough. “We draw inspiration from the exceptional individuals and organizations honoured at the event for their ingenuity in addressing pressing environmental challenges.”

Susan Davidson, president of the Rotary Club of Bridgenorth-Ennismore-Lakefield, concurred.

“These award winners ignite a sense of purpose within us, urging us to champion environmental stewardship and bring a sense of hope for tomorrow,” Davison said.

To recognize “exceptional ingenuity and dedication to environmental conservation,” two additional finalists received $1,000 each for their initiatives:

Jen McCallum, Ashburnham Memorial Stewardship Group

The Ashburnham Memorial Stewardship Group, which organizes two clean-ups of Ashburnham Memorial Park (aka Armour Hill) every year, aims to transform the park into a vibrant and biodiverse space by reimagining the existing parking lot at the top of Armour Hill as a multi-use green area.

Through community engagement and professional design, the project seeks to mitigate environmental issues such as garbage dumping while enhancing wildlife habitat and promoting sustainable recreation.

Gerry Marcotte, Tick Suit

Marcotte’s Tick Suit offers protection against ticks and biting insects, addressing the growing threat of Lyme disease and other insect-borne illnesses. The dense and tear-resistant fabric and ventilation panels enhance the safety and comfort of researchers and outdoor workers.

The project aims to mass produce and distribute these suits globally, benefiting environmental workers and communities worldwide.

REIF, established by a coalition of Rotarians, proactive citizens and businesses, champions local environmental innovators dedicated to tackling pressing environmental concerns impacting the Peterborough area.

The fund aims to promote environmental awareness, sustainability, and remediation by supporting new environmental initiatives in the Peterborough region.

Change doesn’t happen overnight, but it certainly helps to have passionate, trusted leaders who know what it takes to make things happen.

As the president of the Rotary Club of Peterborough, Betty Halman-Plumley must lead the way to change every day but, as one of only a handful of women to hold the position in the more than a century history of the Club, she is aware that her responsibility as a leader extends well beyond the role of most presidents.

While the Rotary Club of Peterborough — comprised of community members looking to make positive and lasting change — was founded in 1921, its involvement of women does not date quite so far back. Only in 1989 did the club’s constitution change to officially allow women in the club the following year.

Though certainly not eagerly welcomed by all members at the time, Susan Mackle and Eleanor Phillips became the first female members of Peterborough Rotary in 1990, with Mackle later becoming the first female president in 2001-2002. Halman-Plumley is only the fifth female president of the club since then.

Even on a global scale, only in 2022-2023 did Rotary International welcome its first female president: Jennifer E. Jones, a member of the Rotary Club of Windsor-Roseland.

As one of the first female leaders of the Rotary Club, Halman-Plumley shares how she manages the pressure of leadership, the importance of inclusion, and how she manages to do it all while wearing heels and her best lipstick.

I don’t see it as a burden, I see it as a light I’m drawn to.

As the oldest of four children born within five years, perhaps it’s not surprising that Halman-Plumley knows she was “meant to be a CEO or leader.”

Or perhaps it’s not surprising because, no matter the sector she has worked in — from her current role as a division manager with IG Wealth Management, to having been the program director for Ontario Early Years Centre, to being past president of the Women’s Business Network of Peterborough — she has always been leading the way.

“They have all been about supporting teams and being really focused on how we’re moving forward,” she says of her past roles. “All my experiences together just builds and grows from that.”

Despite how natural leadership comes to her, it was not lost on Halman-Plumley just how significant the role of Rotary Club president would be when she stepped into the position in 2023. Having been a member of the club for upwards of a decade, she knew how meaningful it was to fill the role as a woman.

“I don’t take it for granted,” she says. “I think about it a lot and I’ve always thought about it through my daughter, and now my granddaughters. How do I want to show up for them? I want people to be proud and I want people to say, ‘Look at her, look at this woman doing it, and she’s passionate and has a heart for this’.”

While that alone could be more than enough pressure for a lot of people to bear, Halman-Plumley does not let the weight get to her, but rather lets it motivate her.

“I think about it a lot, about who I am and who is watching, but I don’t see it as a burden,” she says. “I see it as a light that I’m drawn to at an impossible way.”

You have to take care of yourself first.

Between being a mother and grandmother, to working and being an active community member, it’s not difficult to see that Halman-Plumley is a very, very busy woman. But she’s more than okay with that because she loves everything she does.

“Women can do it. We can juggle a lot of things,” she says. “When you love what you do, it doesn’t feel like work.”

That said, she is certainly familiar with stress and has had times of being overwhelmed and getting in over her head.

“When I was in college, I did have a time of burnout, and I’ve had times where I’ve been exhausted,” she recalls. “I learned so much from that and now I’m very aware of what that feels and looks like.”

“You have to take care of yourself first,” she adds, noting that rest is especially important when it comes to leading others. “Rest your mind, body, and spirit, and then build on that.”

For Halman-Plumley, taking care of herself means daily walks and taking the time to be quiet, reflect and reconnect. But, she adds, it also means surrounding herself with people who support her, whether it’s personally from having a network of women she can travel and go for dinner with, to professionally surrounding herself with those who keep her grounded.

“I’ve had great coaches many times in my life and coaches are phenomenal because they help you focus and move towards your goals,” she says. “I really believe in coaches.”

Similarly, both in her profession and the Rotary Club of Peterborough, she notes that leadership can only go so far. It’s the team who really makes things happen.

“At IG, I have a great team that supports me and my clients,” she says. “And with Rotary, there’s a great board and great people around that. As the president, I say ‘Here’s where we need to be moving’ and steering the ship, but everyone is all hands on deck all the time.”

We need the combination of experience with fresh ideas

One of the things Halman-Plumley values most in her work with IG Wealth Management is legacy planning through intergenerational wisdom and connecting with family members.

Proving just how much her leadership roles build off each other, this is a philosophy she similarly brings into her community work by encouraging not only women but people of all ages and expertise to join Rotary.

“We need the combination of experienced Rotarians and newer Rotarians working together,” she says. “I’m such a believer that we need to bring the wealth of experience and knowledge and passion from people have been involved in Rotary way longer than I have, but then also the fresh, new, and other ideas that new Rotarians bring. You need them both.”

The idea of bringing in all views and perspectives was also a priority when Halman-Plumley started different programs for the Ontario Early Years Centre, and one that she will likely continue well beyond her time as Rotary Club president.

“I think that’s just how I’ve always been, and that’s who I am,” she says. “The philosophy is let’s build on the experience and wealth of knowledge that we have and bring in the new, different ideas and perspectives and have it all come together.”

Be yourself.

One of the best compliments Halman-Plumley ever received was being told she brings an “intelligent mind and beautiful heart” to the position, and that’s exactly what she strives to do each day.

“Being in this position sometimes means having important conversations with people and, other times, it’s also having compassion, so it’s who am I as Betty and also who I am as a woman,” she says, noting that it means not shying away from being a feminine leader — even if it means, she jokes, being the first Rotary president to reapply her lipstick before introducing a speaker.

“What I love about this world of inclusiveness is I feel I can be myself. I can be a woman that puts on lipstick and wears high heels and loves to get dressed up and be a feminine woman, while also being in a leadership role.”

As a music lover, adding a bit of herself in the role even includes encouraging speakers to dance their way to the podium.

“I want people to leave feeling so excited and happy and passionate and proud to be a Rotarian and thinking ‘I want to join this amazing group’,” she says.

But just as she is able to expertly balance all aspects of her life, Halman-Plumley finds a way to balance the fun and the work in the Rotary Club. As president, she had prioritized developing their strategic plan and looking to add to the lineup of legacy projects like Five Counties Children’s Centre, Camp Kawartha, and the Rotary Greenway Trail.

“What I love is you can go anywhere in the world and you’re part of a big family in the Rotary Club,” Halman-Plumley says. “As Betty, I can only do so much, but collectively as a club in Peterborough, and internationally, we can have a bigger impact. Some Rotarians are so generous with their time and money, it’s incredible, but they also know that that’s pooled with other Rotarians to make an impact.”

For more information about the Rotary Club of Peterborough, visit www.peterboroughrotary.ca. For membership inquiries, email membership@peterboroughrotary.ca.

A day after he was charged with several vehicle thefts and released from custody, a 26-year-old Peterborough man was arrested again for stealing from vehicles.

On Wednesday morning (April 17), police received a call from a resident about a man rummaging through a vehicle on Perry Street in downtown Peterborough. After arriving, officers conducted a search of the area and located a man matching the description provided to police. The man tried to run, but was taken into custody.

When searching the suspect after the arrest, officers located a makeshift device believed to be used to break vehicle windows as well as stolen items, some of which police have since returned to their owners as a result of online reports filed on April 13.

The accused man, who was also wanted on a warrant and bound by a probation order to keep the peace and be of good behaviour, was arrested and charged with four counts of theft under $5,000, four counts of mischief under $5,000, four counts of possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000, and four counts of failing to comply with a probation order.

The accused man appeared in court later on Wednesday.

The following night at around 10:15 p.m., officers were called to the Hunter Street East and Mark Street area in East City after a concerned citizen reported a man who appeared to be trying to get into vehicles. After arriving, officers conducted a search of the area and located a man matching the description provided to police.

While speaking to the man, officers located items they believed did not belong to him. The man then tried to run and was taken into custody. During a search after the arrest, officers found about four dozen items believed to have been taken from vehicles.

The suspect was then charged with possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000 and failing to comply with a probation order. The accused man is being held in custody and will appear in court on Friday.

Police are continuing their investigation and are currently going through the items believed to have been stolen.

Kawartha Lakes has something to chirp about.

Nature Canada recently certified the City of Kawartha Lakes as a “Bird Friendly City.”

A bird-friendly city is described as a community where threats to birds are reduced, and nature is restored so native bird populations can thrive. Residents are actively engaged in admiring and monitoring local bird populations, and organizations host events to protect birds. Certification entails meeting standards to keep birds safe.

Kawartha Lakes has announced it has been awarded Bird Friendly City certification as of March 22, 2024.

“We are thrilled that Nature Canada has awarded us entry level Bird Friendly City certification,” said Kawartha Lakes Councillor Pat Warren in a media release.

“It is a recognition of the commitment to a healthy environment expressed in our strategic plan and the bird conservation efforts of many organizations within our municipality. Along with our Bird Friendly City neighbours — City of Peterborough and Selwyn Township — we look forward to continuing this important work.”

The Bird Friendly Kawartha Lakes (BFKL) group submitted an application on behalf of the municipality in February 2024. The BFKL consists of representatives from the Kawartha Lakes Environmental Advisory Committee, Kawartha Conservation, Kawartha Land Trust, Fleming College, Kawartha Field Naturalists, Kawartha Wildlife Centre, and Kawartha Bird Control.

VIDEO: Bird Friendly City – Nature Canada

Thomas Luloff, who represents the BFKL team, is the academic quality assurance lead and a professor in the school of environmental and natural resources sciences at Fleming College’s Frost campus in Lindsay, and he also serves as board chair of the Kawartha Wildlife Centre.

Luloff recently shared why receiving a bird-friendly city designation is important.

“Becoming a certified bird-friendly city is not just a title; it’s a significant milestone for our community,” Luloff told kawarthaNOW. “It underscores our commitment to environmental stewardship and highlights our dedication to preserving the natural beauty and biodiversity that makes Kawartha Lakes so unique.”

“By creating bird-friendly habitats, reducing light pollution, and advocating for responsible pet ownership, we are not only protecting our feathered residents but also enhancing the overall quality of life for all inhabitants of our city,” Luloff continued.

“Birds play a vital role in our ecosystem, from controlling insect populations to pollinating plants, and by safeguarding their habitats, we are ensuring the health and balance of our environment.”

Speaking of birds, Kawartha Lakes is currently running a contest that invites residents to vote for one of 11 birds to be named “Bird Friendly Kawartha Lakes 2024 Bird of the Year.” The online contest aims to showcase the diversity of local bird species and inspire action to protect and conserve birds at the same time.

There will be two rounds of voting, with the first round closing on Migratory Bird Day, which is Saturday, May 11. The top five birds will move on to the second round of voting, which will close on Friday, June 28.

These are the 11 birds on the docket: the northern cardinal, the black-capped chickadee, the American goldfinch, the barred owl, the red-winged blackbird, the tree swallow, the eastern loggerhead shrike, the osprey, the downy woodpecker, the blue jay, and the barn swallow. As of the date of this story, 362 votes have been cast, with the osprey in the lead closely pursued by the northern cardinal and the barred owl.

During the second round of voting, the Bird Friendly Kawartha Lakes social media accounts will feature fun facts about each of the five birds and why they’re important to the community.

The official Kawartha Lakes’ Bird of the Year, as voted by participants, will be revealed on June 30.

To find out more about the competition and to vote, visit the Jump In Kawartha Lakes website at jumpinkawarthalakes.ca/bird2024. You need to register for a free account to cast a vote.

The Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit (HKPRDHU) is alerting parents and caregivers that there are confirmed cases of pertussis, also known as whooping cough, in the City of Kawartha Lakes.

As a result, HKPRDHU is reminding parents and guardians to ensure their children’s immunizations are up to date and on file with the local health unit.

Pertussis is a serious bacterial infection that affects the throat and lungs. It was one of the most common childhood diseases and a cause of child mortality in the 20th century. Routine childhood immunization for pertussis, along with protection from polio, tetanus and diphtheria, has significantly decreased the number of cases of the disease.

Whooping cough can be introduced to communities through travel to countries with lower rates of vaccination, and it can circulate among those who are unvaccinated, under vaccinated, or those whose vaccine effectiveness has decreased over time, HKPRDHU noted in a media release.

It is very contagious and spreads via droplets from the noses and mouths of those who are infected, HKPRDHU said. While anyone can get whooping cough, it is most dangerous for children under the age of one year, and pregnant women.

“Immunization remains the best way to protect your child or yourself from getting sick with pertussis,” said Dr. Natalie Bocking, CEO and medical officer of health for HKPRDHU.

“Please familiarize yourself with the symptoms of pertussis and seek medical care if your child has these symptoms. Pertussis can be treated with antibiotics. Lastly, and most importantly, always ensure your child’s routine vaccinations are up to date and have been reported to the local public health unit.”

Once a person is infected by pertussis it can take up to 20 days for them to develop symptoms. The bacterial infection begins like a cold, with a very runny nose.

After a few days, the typical irritating cough begins that becomes more frequent and severe. Coughing may be followed by a “whoop” sound before the next breath.

The coughing can be so aggressive that it causes children to vomit or have trouble breathing, HKPRDHU noted. The cough is usually severe for two to three weeks and then starts to get better, but it can last up to one to two months.

Diagnosed cases of pertussis are treated with antibiotics.

In Ontario, a vaccine series to prevent pertussis is started in infancy with booster doses in adolescence and adulthood. HKPRDHU asks parents and caregivers to check their own immunization records, as they may be eligible for a publicly funded pertussis-containing vaccine when the next booster is due.

HKPRDHU is holding immunization clinics for students or people who do not have a health care provider. To book an appointment, call 1-866-888-4577, extension 1507, or visit the HKPRDHU’s immunization clinics web page.

According to the Government of Canada, pertussis is a disease that happens year-round everywhere in the world.

In Canada, between 1,000 and 3,000 people annually fall ill from pertussis. Worldwide, there are about 20 to 40 million cases of whooping cough and 400,000 deaths from pertussis each year.

Without treatment, pertussis can last for weeks or months, and can cause brain damage or even death, the federal government noted. “It is important that you and your children receive all of your vaccinations for protection of yourself and others.”

For more information about whooping cough, including what it sounds like, visit the Government of Canada’s pertussis web page.

Peterborough city staff are recommending the annual Canada Day parade be cancelled and the $20,000 budgeted for the parade in 2024 instead be devoted to alternative events.

A report to be presented to city council at its general committee meeting on Monday (April 22) states the parade “is no longer a sustainable activity” due to a decline in the number of float entries over the past five years.

“Staff are instead planning for a wider range of alternative events that are a better use of budgeted funds, are more easily managed, and are suited to draw interest from the public,” states the report from community services commissioner Sheldon Laidman.

According to the report, the number of float entries has declined since the pandemic. In 2019, there were 56 float entries, although only 16 participated due to heat and humidity. The parade was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic and, when it resumed in 2022, saw only 21 float entries that year and only 25 in 2023.

In comparison, the 2023 Santa Claus parade had move than 60 float entries.

“Considering the costs associated with road closures and the lower float participation numbers the parade is no longer either financially or logistically sustainable as a part of the Canada Day celebrations,” reads the report, noting that the city does not employ staff directly to run events and recreation and park staff have to manage them in addition to their regular job duties.

Instead, the city plans to host a number of other activities on Canada Day, including:

• A mid-morning family-friendly event at Millennium Park, offering several activities such as face painting, music and performers, Zumba, games, try-it activities, and refreshments.
• An afternoon family-friendly music show and entertainment on the stage at Del Crary Park prior to the scheduled Peterborough Musicfest concert in the evening.
• An evening fireworks event following the Peterborough Musicfest concert.

According to the report, a city staff working group was created to review previous Canada Day celebrations. The group consulted with community partners at the New Canadians Centre — which hosts annual multicultural celebrations that culminate on Canada Day — to review the proposed recommendations. Staff at the New Canadians Centre supported the recommendations and provided resources and contacts.

The group also consulted with representatives of Peterborough Musicfest about a city-run afternoon family-friendly music event prior to the evening concert. According to the report, festival organizers and the festival’s sound provider supported the afternoon event.

As for fireworks over Little Lake on Canada Day, another staff report to be presented to general committee on Monday is recommending the fireworks platform in Little Lake be decommissioned and disposed of, with fireworks displays launched from the T wharf and other approved sites instead.

According to the report from acting municipal operations commissioner Jen McFarlane and community services commissioner Sheldon Laidman, the Little Lake fireworks platform has failed several times in the past — most recently in January 2023 when it broke free of its moorings due to high water levels and drifted away, “risking catastrophic damage to critical infrastructure” including the Little Lake fountain.

City staff and a contractor were able to recover the platform and tow it to land, where it remained, with the Canada Day fireworks display for 2023 launched from the T wharf at a lower cost. Because it was no longer in use, the city did not insure the platform in 2023, saving around $2,000 in annual premiums.

“If returned to Little Lake the fireworks platform will incur significant cost, and continued liability to the city’s fountain, as well as other assets on the Trent Severn Waterway,” the report states.

The report notes the estimated engineering costs to review and design a permanent platform would be $10,000 along with additional costs for anchoring and installation, for a total of $14,680, as well as insurance costs estimated at $2,000 per year.

The report adds that, although city staff have received suggestions that the platform could be repurposed as a dock for boats or for swimming, doing so would require additional costs that would exceed the costs of a dock designed and built for those purposes.