He became the founder
of
The Jack Miner Migratory Bird Foundation
(a waterfowl refuge
system by creating a sanctuary
for them in 1904).
It is located in Kingsville,
Ontario (30 minutes east from Windsor and Detroit) near the north shore of Lake
Erie. Five years later, he pioneered the
bonding of migratory waterfowl. The
recovering data was instrumental in the establishment of the Migratory Bird
Treaty in1916 between United States
and Canada...as
no such government bonding programs had
yet been in existence. The Foundation is a charitable organization that
operates solely on grants and the generosity of private and corporate
donations. In 1904, he created a pond on
his farm with 7 clipped tame Canada Geese ~ hoping to attract wild geese. It took 4 years of effort before the wild
geese finally began to settle at Miner's sanctuary. In 1911, geese and ducks were arriving in
large numbers and Miner increased the size of his pond in 1913 ~ the entire
homestead had become a bird sanctuary.
The Provincial Government of Ontario provided funding for Miner's
project, allowing him to add evergreen trees and shrubs and to dig more ponds
and surround them with sheltering groves.
Of Interest: From the Lake Erie piers of Kingsville
and Leamington, car ferries leave frequently for the cruise to Pelee Island
(the largest in the lake)...a serene setting where time seems to move at a slow
pace. It is home to Pelee Island
Winery ~ Canada's largest estate-owned winery with approximately 600 acres
of vineyards. You've heard said, “It's worth the drive to Acton” (for
leathers)...here I advise you that, “It's worth the trip to Pelee Island.” How wonderful it was, a couple years ago, to
cross the placid, almost glass-like waters of Lake Erie to this quiet
island! Enjoy the lake views...the rural
countryside...the peaceful atmosphere and the friendliness of its inhabitants.
Cap off this scenic drive with a visit to the winery's boutique...and a lunch
menu to enjoy with a glass of Pelee Island Wine.
Point Pelee National Park
resounds with migratory songbirds in the spring, hums with cicadas in the
summer, flutters with Monarch butterflies in the fall and is a peaceful place
of reflection in the winter. A half-mile
of marsh boardwalk puts you in the heart of wildlife...a true paradise for
thousands of bird-watchers yearly.
Point
Pelee, Ontario, is the
southernmost part of mainland Canada...which runs parallel to northern California in United States. Just last summer, a local bicyclist rode from
this Point to the northernmost point in Canada's
Arctic...notably quite a physical challenge!
Blowing In
(a story about Clovis the Goose who gets
blown off track...
written by Esther Meerschaut, Harrow, Ontario
and published in the
recent “Our Canada” magazine issue)
Once upon a time towards
the end of April, Clovis the Canada Goose was flying over Lake Erie and into Ontario. He was eager to return to the pond where he
had started life the previous year.
Next year, he would seek a mate,
but this summer he would soak up the sun, float leisurely on the water and eat whenever and whatever he wanted.
Today, the wind was so strong
that he and the other Canada Geese had trouble staying together in their “V”
formation. Then a violent gust of wind
blew Clovis out
of formation and tossed him about like a
leaf. No matter how hard he flapped his
wings, he couldn't get back. Then, just
as suddenly, he was out of the strong wind.
He was once more in control of
his wings.
But, he was alone! He could not
see his friends, nor could he see the pond.
Clovis realized he was heading
directly towards a large, two-storey, red brick building. Below him, beside a
busy highway, were cages containing wild turkeys. Behind those was a pond, but not the one he
wanted. Ducks and Canada Geese were
strolling along the shore, swimming, eating and dozing in the grass.
“Where am I?” Clovis asked the
nearest goose. “This looks like heaven.”
“Not quite,” said the other
goose, “but close to it. You're in Kingsville, Ontario. This is the Jack Miner Migratory Bird
Sanctuary where we are safe and protected.
Here we have everything we need...water, friends and the freedom to come
and go as we like.”
Clovis decided that he didn't
need to look for that other pond. He
would stay right here.
Jonathan
Livingston Seagull
Written by Richard Bach, it is a fable (in novella form)
about a seagull learning about “life and flight” and a homily about self
protection. First published in 1970, over a million copies were in print. The book
received the top of the New York Times Best Seller list where it remained for
38 weeks.
The book tells the story of a
seagull who is bored with the daily squabbles over food. Seized by a passion for flight, he
pushes himself, learning everything he
can about flying...until his unwillingness to conform within the
flock, resulted in his expulsion. An
outcast, he continued to learn, becoming increasingly pleased with his ability
as he leads an idyllic life.
One day, Jonathan is met by 2
gulls who take him to a “higher plane” of existence...in that there is no
heaven, but a better world found through perfection of knowledge, where he meets other gulls who
love to fly.
And the story goes
on!
I strongly advise
that every parent and child
should read this
novel...so amazing and enlightening!
Nature...as a
Great Teacher
If we listen...Nature
talks to us every day and every night.
The earth and sea and
sky speak about their colours and actions.
The everlasting hills
and trees with waving branches speak.
Buds and flowers speak
of their beauty and scent.
Numerous lovely birds
speak as they sing happy songs.
The Mourning Doves,
about which I have extensively written,
teach lessons about
human parenting, about the dedication and
not only protection,
but the rearing of their young to adulthood.
Animals, insects and
marine life teach us many lessons...if we observe.
He who studies
most deeply
into the mysteries
of nature
will realize most
fully
his own ignorance
and weaknesses.
He will realize
that there are
depths and heights
which he cannot reach,
secrets which he
cannot penetrate,
vast fields of
truth lying before him unentered.
He will be ready
to say with Newton,
“I seem to have
been like a child on the shore
finding pebbles
and shells while the great ocean of truth
lay undiscovered
before me.”
(Author unknown)
Nature protects and nurtures its
diverse creations to a profound sense of intelligence that we are just
beginning to appreciate. Consider this: Branches stripped of foliage during winter,
are encased with snow or frost or ice for added protection. Nature is the Ultimate Teacher…of how to
overcome obstacles and woes…and how to appreciate the environment around us.
Pearl of Wisdom
When a flower grows wild, it can always survive/
Wild flowers don’t care where they grow.
(Dolly Parton)
Crafted by Merle Baird-Kerr … March 24, 2013
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