If exercise and enjoying the great outdoors are among New Year’s resolutions, residents of Northumberland and Peterborough counties can carve a path forward on new trails near Campbellford.

The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) recently unveiled new public walking trails at the Mary West Nature Reserve, located at 1186 County Road 35 in the Municipality of Trent Hills.

The newly opened trail system, along with a native plant seed orchard, are part of the privately protected Mary West Nature Reserve.

The nature reserve features 2.8 kilometres of walking trails that wind through forests, wetlands and along a creek. There are new boardwalks and interpretive signs, and the trails are open year-round to hikers during the daytime. Leashed pets are welcome.

“The new trails at the Mary West Nature Reserve are a fantastic community asset for the Campbellford area,” said Mark Stabb, NCC’s central Ontario east program program director, in a media release.

“We hope these new trails encourage people to get out and experience the unique sights, scents and sounds of nature this winter, while travelling through this beautiful forest and meadow.”

The 38-hectare Mary West Nature Reserve is home to towering white pines, spring peepers, a river, and the at-risk eastern wood pewee. Donated in 1991 to NCC through the estate of Mary West (a descendant of the Wests who originally owned the farm at Westben), the property protects wetlands and forests in the Trout Creek and Trent River watersheds.

It is home to species at risk, such as butternut, wood thrush, and snapping turtle.

“This nature reserve also provides carbon storage and flood mitigation, as well as clean drinking water for the community,” NCC noted.

NCC said it is also working to restore old farm fields at the site into a seed orchard of dense native wildflower plantings and grassy meadows.

“This will result in a source of locally grown native seed for NCC’s tallgrass prairie and oak savannah habitat restoration projects across Northumberland County and will provide opportunities for community volunteers to help contribute to habitat restoration over the long term.”

The newly established trail system, parking lot upgrades and the establishment of the native plant seed orchard were supported by numerous partners and donors, NCC noted.

“Nature trails and conservation areas are important for communities and the protection of natural ecosystems,” said Filomena Tassi, minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for southern Ontario, in the media release.

“Our government is pleased to support (NCC) and its efforts to build and maintain lands that benefit the environment. NCC provides opportunities for people to explore, learn about and enjoy the beauty of southern Ontario’s natural habitats, and we are happy to support them.”

During the past two years, NCC said it has influenced the protection of more than one million hectares — almost twice the size of Prince Edward Island — coast to coast to coast.

“In the face of rapid biodiversity loss and climate change, nature is our ally. There is no solution to either without nature conservation. When nature thrives, we all thrive.”

NCC works with people, communities, businesses and government to protect and care for our country’s most important natural areas. Since 1962, NCC has brought people together to conserve and restore more than 15 million hectares. To learn more, visit natureconservancy.ca.

For more information about the Mary West Nature Reserve, call 1-877-231-3552 or email ontario@natureconservancy.ca to inquire about the trails and access points at the nature reserve.

Haliburton Highlands Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are asking for the public’s help in locating a missing 49-year-old man police have identified as Jonathan.

Jonathan, who also goes by John, was last seen in Coboconk at around 2 a.m. on Thursday (December 28). He is believed to be driving a red 2015 Ford Fusion with Ontario licence plate CLJD280.

He is described as 6’3″ tall and approximately 170 lbs, with blue eyes, short brown and grey hair, and glasses.

Jonathan was last seen wearing a blue and white oversized sweater, blue jeans, a blue and white baseball cap, and brown Sketchers.

Police are trying to locate Jonathan out of concern for his health and well-being.

Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is asked to call Haliburton Highlands OPP at 705-286-1431 or the OPP Provincial Communications Centre at 1-888-310-1122.

Kawartha Lakes’ deputy fire chief hopes community members will respond to the call of duty and consider joining the fire department in 2024.

Kawartha Lakes is actively recruiting people to join the Kawartha Lakes Fire Rescue Service (KLFRS).

“Volunteer firefighters are needed for a majority of our fire stations, especially in the rural areas of Kawartha Lakes, to ensure that we have proper staffing when an emergency occurs,” Mike Matthews, KLFRS deputy chief, told kawarthaNOW.

KLFRS is soliciting for firefighters for the spring 2024 recruitment class. By joining the department, residents help protect the community from fires and other hazards, the fire rescue service noted.

Appropriate candidates for the task need to be dedicated, have excellent teamwork skills, be in good health, and be physically fit, KLRS noted.

“You’ll join a team of like-minded individuals, learn transferable life skills, and help promote a safe community by upholding the three lines of defence against fire.”

Firefighters acquire knowledge and participate in a wide range of specialized training. They help promote safety by “upholding the three lines of defence against fire — public fire safety education, fire safety standards, and enforcement and emergency response.”

To be eligible to join the fire rescue service, residents must have a Grade 12 diploma or an equivalent.

Candidates must have, and maintain, the physical strength and agility necessary to perform arduous work, KLFRS noted. They must also be able to competently operate firefighting and rescue equipment and safety equipment in all types of adverse conditions, for prolonged periods, and be able to lift up to 30 kilograms or more. A positive attitude and the ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality are also required.

The recruitment process consists of a formal application, aptitude and physical testing, an interview, and submitting required documentation. The fire service’s administration team will review the applicants.

“Offers will be made to successful applicants and a minimum of one recruitment class of up to 30 individuals will be selected.”

New volunteer recruits will complete 40 hours of online training exercises and 60 hours of in-person training sessions.

Matthews said becoming part of the fire service is a great way to contribute to life in Kawartha Lakes.

“By joining the fire service, you will have the opportunity to give back to the community that you live in and provide help to someone that may be experiencing an emergency and needs help right away,” Matthews noted.

Applications are due by Tuesday, January 2nd.

Volunteer firefighters are being recruited for the following stations: Station 4 (Ops), Station 5 (Dunsford), Station 7 (Bethany), Station 8 (Pontypool), Station 9 (Janetville), Station 14 (Woodville), Station 15 (Kirkfield), Station 16 (Carden), Station 17 (Norland), Station 18 (Kinmount), Station 19 (Coboconk), Station 20 (Burnt River), and Station 21 (Mariposa).

For the complete list of necessary skills and job requirements and to complete an application, visit www.kawarthalakes.ca/VFF.

Peterborough is part of a broad local, national, and international movement to limit the impact of climate change and protect our environment for the future. In 2023, amidst challenging changing weather conditions, including days filled with hazardous fire smoke, local action contributed to national climate goals.

At the 28th United Nations Climate Change conference, held from November 30 to December 12 at Expo City, Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, nearly 200 countries met to discuss a swift, just, and equitable transition away from fossil fuels.

In the spirit of COP28, we wanted to highlight how non-profits, specifically those doing work in Peterborough, are tackling this transition in measurable ways. Much of the work that GreenUP does, with the support of our national partners, is an important step in helping the Peterborough region reach our climate targets and bolster adaptation efforts.

Green Communities Canada (GCC) is one such national partner that certainly takes meaningful action on climate change, and champions a greener future on a national scale. Part of their national support is to provide resources and funding to local organizations like GreenUP to plan, execute, and reflect on climate action initiatives in cities like Peterborough.

GCC recently released its Collective Impact Report for 2022-2023, highlighting the 22 member organizations that are “enabling grassroots action to increase resilience, address vulnerabilities, and protect human and ecosystem health.”

As a member of Green Communities Canada, GreenUP is one small but impactful part of this collective, and contributes to quantifiable national climate action metrics in three distinct program areas.

The first example of GreenUP’s impact is the driven work of GreenUP’s Registered Energy Advisors. This Peterborough-based team is trained to support homeowners to make emissions reductions through pre-retrofit energy assessments and post-retrofit assessments.

GCC noted that, nationally, they had supported home energy retrofits that resulted in reductions of 2,175,000 kilograms (2,175 tonnes) of carbon dioxide per year between 2022 and 2023.

Between January and August of 2023 alone, GreenUP had performed 272 pre-retrofit energy assessment visits in the Peterborough region. By August, 80 of the homeowners out of 272 had completed home retrofits and were ready to access the financial incentives available to them by completing a post-retrofit assessment.

The total reductions resulting from the retrofits that those 80 GreenUP clients completed resulted in 212,900 kilograms (212.9 tonnes) of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions reductions.

Many of GCC’s member organizations also work to improve active transportation efforts in cities.

Between 2022 and 2023, across Canada, participants in GCC members’ active travel programs walked or biked the equivalent of 115 trips from the coasts of BC to Newfoundland, resulting in 216.7 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions reductions for the calendar year.

In Peterborough, the Shifting Gears programs (delivered by GreenUP) in 2022 resulted in participants using active travel for the equivalent of eight of those cross-Canada trips, for a total of 45,266 kilometres. In 2023, 57,103 more kilometres were travelled using active transportation modes by Peterborough residents.

Finally, adapting green infrastructure was a highlight for urban city centres, including Peterborough.

In 2022 and 2023, GCC member organizations restored 15,825 square metres of urban land. Restoration projects included tree planting, depaving unused concrete areas, installing rain gardens, and restoring riparian zones. The total area is more than 40 basketball courts in size that can now sequester carbon, return filtered rain to the water table, and promote biodiversity.

This work includes 13 mini-orchards being grown and cared for in the City of Peterborough. The Peterborough Community Orchard Stewards continue to support these local Food Forests each season. In the fall of 2023, GreenUP continued building on this success through the planting of our first three mini-forests, made up of 371 trees, and this good work continues.

The COP28 global climate conference concluded with statements supporting that global greenhouse gas emissions need to be cut 43 per cent by 2030, compared to 2019 levels, to limit global warming to 1.5°C.

As GCC’s executive director Brianna Salmon describes in the Collective Impact report, “We know that communities are at the heart of climate justice solutions.”

Grassroots action led by Green Communities Canada and its member organizations, the local champions of this work, will be essential to reaching ambitious climate targets like those set at COP28.

As a Green Communities Canada member, GreenUP is proud that Peterborough is part of a national movement.

As we move towards more ambitious, and very necessary, climate targets, GreenUP looks forward to continuing this work to ensure our community meets our climate goals.

On behalf of GreenUP, we wish our community a safe and happy New Year. We look forward to working alongside you to advance the local, national, and international climate movement in the critical years ahead.

Police are asking for the public’s help in locating a missing 34-year-old man.

On Sunday (December 24), the Peterborough County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) received a call from a person reporting an abandoned vehicle on a trail just off County Road 507 in the Municipality of Trent Lakes.

After going to the location, officers found a grey/silver pickup truck with a large German Shepherd dog wandering around it. A tag on the dog’s collar contained a phone number that was the same as the registered owner of the vehicle.

Officers have unsuccessfully attempted to contact the owner and are asking for the public’s help in locating the 34-year-old man, who they have identified only as Ryan. Police believe he was making his way to the Bobcaygeon/Crystal Lake area.

Ryan is described as being six feet tall and 175 pounds with a medium build and mixed-length curly dark brown hair and brown eyes. Police believe Ryan may now be operating a blue Dodge Ram with Ontario licence plate BR65060.

Police are looking for any information that may assist them in locating Ryan to confirm his well-being. If you have any information about Ryan’s whereabouts, call the Peterborough OPP at 705-742-0401 or at the non-emergency line at 1-888-310-1122. If you prefer to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or at online stopcrimehere.ca.

Cathy Borowec has, in a sense, moved back home.

Borowec is returning to Habitat for Humanity Northumberland (HFHN) in January 2024, taking the reins as CEO from Meaghan Macdonald, who has left the organization after over 12 years in the role.

Borowec started her journey with the Habitat for Humanity affiliate in 2001 and will re-join the organization as HFHN enters its 26th year.

“The board of directors is excited for the return of Borowec, who brings over 20 years of Habitat leadership experience to the role,” reads a HFHN news release. “At HFHN she was the first staff person hired and under her direction, Habitat moved out to serve families in different areas of (Northumberland County) and opened the ReStore. In her eight years here, she led with innovation and established the first Habitat renovation program in the country.”

After leaving HFHN in 2009, Borowec became director of affiliate relations at Habitat for Humanity Canada, where she was charged with building relationships with local Habitat organizations across the country and helping them increase their capacities.

“Her visits to the many areas within Canada where Habitat works has given her a unique perspective on housing needs,” reads the release.

In 2018, Borowec returned to a local Habitat affiliate as CEO with Habitat for Humanity Kingston Limestone Region. During the past five years, she has worked collaboratively with Northumberland, creating partnerships for sharing services and resources, the news release noted.

“Building on relationships in Kingston, she spearheaded a project that will, in time, create more than 60 housing units in a diverse neighbourhood with a mix of built-form and affordability.”

“With the heightened urgency to create and maintain affordable housing in this current crisis, the board of directors at HFHN believes that Borowec is uniquely suited to steer the affiliate in along its path and continue work on the exciting projects that are underway.”

Borowec returns to lead HFHN as the affiliate is currently working on its largest single development project to date, in the village of Baltimore in Hamilton Township.

Located at 4751 Highway 45, the seven-unit townhouse development is a $2.5-million project. It’s also a new venture for HFHN in the sense the organization is hoping to build the largest Habitat net-zero development in Canada.

HFHN said in November that construction of the build is on schedule, with the framing of the first floor completed and the second level floor system nearly finished. The goal is to have exterior work completed by the end of this year, including completion of the roof and installation of solar panels shortly thereafter.

According to HFHN, the project is on track to house seven families by the summer of 2024. For more information about the Baltimore development, visit buildinghopewithfamilies.ca.

Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) is investigating the death of a 40-year-old man in a Lakefield apartment after Peterborough police responded to a report about a person in distress early Tuesday morning (December 26).

At around 1:30 a.m., a woman contacted the Peterborough Police Service to report her son was in distress and was at an apartment on Queen Street in Lakefield.

Upon arriving at the Queen Street location, an officer saw the man holding a baseball bat outside of the apartment. The man struck the officer with the bat and re-entered the apartment. After additional officers arrived at the scene, unsuccessful attempts were made to communicate with the man in the apartment.

Officers decided to break down the apartment door, and found the man in the kitchen in medical distress. Although first aid was provided to the man by officers and emergency medical service personnel, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The SIU is a civilian law enforcement agency, independent of the police, that conducts criminal investigations into circumstances involving police and civilians that have resulted in serious injury, death, or allegations of sexual assault. The SIU has assigned three investigators and one forensic investigator to the case.

The SIU is urging anyone who may have information about this investigation, including video or photos, to contact the lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529 or online at siu.on.ca.