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Cleaning up our oceans

Cleaning up our oceans

CTV News5 days ago
Atlantic Watch
We chat with local diver Salt Water Sean about his latest finds, and how we can all do our part to clean up our oceans.
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Windswept pine tree at Killbear Provincial Park gets 30 clones to be planted soon
Windswept pine tree at Killbear Provincial Park gets 30 clones to be planted soon

CBC

time2 hours ago

  • CBC

Windswept pine tree at Killbear Provincial Park gets 30 clones to be planted soon

New The tree, which has attracted visitors for decades, is now rotting from the inside out Image | Killbear Tree Caption: Chief naturalist Kenton Otterbein says this white pine tree has been photographed by visitors at Killbear Provincial Park thousands of times. Some people even have tattoos of the tree. (Killbear Provincial Park/Facebook) A non-profit organization has created 30 clones of a windswept white pine tree in Killbear Provincial Park that has attracted visitors for decades. "It has become one of the most photographed trees, beloved by everybody that comes to the park," said Kenton Otterbein, chief naturalist at the park which is northwest of Parry Sound, Ont. "It's basically become the symbol of Killbear Provincial Park over the years." But in recent years that famous tree has started to rot from the inside out, and can no longer support itself on its own. In 2022, park staff had to lean it on braces to protect visitors. Otterbein said that decision has sparked a lot of strong opinions. Some people think the park should be doing more to save what is simply known as "The Tree," while others say it's part of the natural cycle of life for the tree to die. Nevertheless, a not-for-profit organization called the Forest Gene Conservation Association has stepped in to keep the tree's legacy alive through 30 clones. CEO Kerry McLaven said trees are cloned by grafting small pieces taken from a branch to a seedling. "What we're creating is not quite a tree, but a graft we call it," she said. "And it started with two different pieces of a tree, but the top part of it, where all the seeds will eventually be produced, is actually from that original tree." McLaven said the cloned seedlings are currently growing at a facility at Kemptville, Ont., and will be planted at Killbear Provincial Park in the late summer or early fall.

Ontario Barn Preservation group turning its attention to the north
Ontario Barn Preservation group turning its attention to the north

CBC

time4 hours ago

  • CBC

Ontario Barn Preservation group turning its attention to the north

In 2019, the non-profit Barn Preservation of Ontario was created in hopes of saving and preserving as many barns across the province as possible. Mainly focused in southern Ontario, the organization is now turning its attention to the historic barns of the north. "Right now we can't speak to how old the barns are in northern Ontario, we need reps up there to help us dig up the information up so we have a better knowledge of them," said group representative John Busch. "I had posted information on a barn here on the Facebook page and a woman commented and asked if I would consider coming to look at her barn." Busch is planning a trip to Manitoulin Island next month to see that barn, as well as six others he's become aware of. He says while the barns of the north are generally not as old as down south, some on the island date back to the 19th Century. The group literally tries to keep barns from falling over by giving advice to property owners, as well as suggesting contractors who could help. And one day, the group hopes to be able to offer financial support as well. "Once the history is wiped out, you have nothing. You need to study the history to learn the future," said Busch. "These old barns are built at a time when it would maybe cost the farmer $600 to help with the frame of it. They were then built by neighbours coming in to help finish the build. "The barn was the base of that farm but also the core connection often within the community." He hopes there will be someone in northern Ontario who will step up and become a regional rep for the organization in that area. "We need help, we need volunteers from northern Ontario to collect their stories and add them to the main consensus across the province," said Busch, adding that he has heard of some historic barns up in the Kirkland Lake and Cochrane areas, but hasn't been up to see them. "They probably don't even know about us. So we need someone in northern Ontario who can hold up our flag and help these people."

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