The Friends of Laurier Woods, a non-profit charitable organization, is gearing up for its annual spring interpretive hikes throughout the month of May.
The two-hour walks, led by members of the Friends of Laurier Woods, will offer perfect opportunities for visitors to view spring birds and early budding wildflowers.
The bird walks will take place on Saturday, May 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th starting at 9 a.m. The plant hike will also take place on Saturday, May 26th starting at 10 a.m. All hikes will leave from the Brule Street parking lot and are free.
The 9 a.m. walks will be guided by well-known birder, Dick Tafel, giving seasoned and novice birders the opportunity to discuss and view a wide range of migrating species.
Lori Beckerton, plant enthusiast, will lead the 10 a.m. walk on May 26th, identifying edible, medicinal and poisonous features of a variety of plant species. Registration is required for the plant walk, as enrollment is limited to the first 15 people. To sign up, contact Lori at [email protected].
The Laurier Woods Conservation Area, within the heart of the City of North Bay, features a 12-kilometre trail network through significant wetlands and upland forest. The 240-acre area is home to a variety of woodland and wetland creatures, including beavers, frogs, turtles, white-tailed deer, raccoons, porcupines, and an extensive range of bird species.
The Friends of Laurier Woods was established in 1990 as a volunteer body to preserve Laurier Woods for future generations to enjoy. In 2006 the Friends of Laurier Woods and the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority became joint owners of the property.
For those unable to attend the spring walks, the Friends of Laurier Woods encourages you to come out and enjoy the site on your own.
The parking lot and access to the trails is located at the end of Brule Street. Brochures for Laurier Woods are available at the display kiosk on-site and on-line at www.laurierwoods.com .
