Our newsletter is an opportunity to share a perfect Woodland Beach moment. Seven beautiful swans have been enjoying the quiet and calm water of our Bay. Such a special moment after the die off of migrating ducks littered our shore last Fall. A photo was sent from one of our members and is posted on our website for you to enjoy. We appreciate receiving your photos and hearing your comments.

Summer 2011 was busy for residents at Woodland Beach. The weather fully co-operated for our 1^st Community Clean-up and Canada Day Party. Our Regatta Day and fundraising provided much needed equipment for 19-year-old Marshall Champ who learned how to sail his Hobie Cat at Woodland Beach and qualified to represent Canada in the Pan Am Games in Mexico. WBPOA Meetings were well attended and we hope you found them informative. Several Beach Grass projects were completed and new ones started as part of our Stewardship Program. Watch for new “Dune Protection” signs this year as our members work to protect and restore our precious dunes. Back by popular demand, T-Shirts and Hoodies will be available. Your 2012 Membership Applications and T-Shirt Order Form can be found in our new brochure.

A big “Thank you” goes out to all our members and residents for showing their true support by participating in our 1^st Community Clean Up on Canada Day 2011. Many residents clean up on a regular basis ensuring Woodland remains free of litter. When called on you assisted with the clean up of fish and birds over the summer and twenty of you stepped up to the plate by participating in the clean up of our beach after the upsetting die-off of Ducks affected by Avian Botulism. These activities were organized by John & Tracey Price and involved many of our year round residents.

We invite you to attend our first meeting of the 2012 summer! Sat. July 7 – 10:AM – Bayshore Seniors Hall Speaker: Tiny Twp. Councillor Nigel Warren Topic: Solving Tiny’s Septage Issue Today in Tiny Twp. there are more than 8,800 existing septic systems and holding tanks. Collection and disposal is handled by private haulers. Because the Twp. does not have a municipal sewage treatment facility to treat this waste, it is currently being spread on agricultural fields. The Ont. Ministry of the Environment has indicated that a province-wide moratorium on land application of untreated sewage will eventually come into effect. The Twp. is presently conducting a Class A Environmental Assessment in order to determine the most cost effective and environmentally friendly solution for the disposal of Tiny’s septage and holding tank waste. Councillor Warren chairs the Public Advisory Committee and will explain the process and the alternative solutions.

Plan 656 Woodland Beach residents continue to express their concerns regarding the purchase by Darick Battaglia of the beach fronting Plan 656. The Twp. challenged Battaglia’s legal ownership to the south portion in court last summer. The judge ruled in Battaglia’s favour, a verdict that is now under appeal by the Twp. There is no challenge re his ownership of the north portion. Earlier this spring, Mr. Battaglia began landscaping activity on the beach in front of his own and several adjoining cottages. The Dept. of Fisheries and Oceans objected to this activity and ordered sand to be replaced and rocks moved back. We are not privy to Mr. Battaglia’s plans for his beachfront property, but it is our hope that the present situation will be resolved in a manner that does not penalize property owners in Plan 656 and the residents of WB.

Learn to identify and manage invasive plants on your property. Garlic Mustard is a biennial meaning it takes two years to complete its growing cycle then it dies. The plant grows 13-120 cm with triangular shaped toothed leaves arranged alternately on the stem. Flowering second year plants should be pulled individually. This procedure will need to be repeated for several years. Bag the material at the site, and burn it or take it in a paper yard waste bag to the compost area of the transfer station.

Phragmities: Here’s what works: Pulling & Digging is effective with new plants. Ensure that all buried rhizomes and roots are removed. Removal of Seed Heads Cut the seed heads in late August or early Sept when there is no wind to prevent the dispersal of seeds . This will not kill an existing stand nor will it prevent it from spreading via rhizomes. Cutting Weakens the root system. Cut at the base of the stalk below the first node soon after it flowers in mid to late August. All cut stalks must be removed from the site and care must be taken to bag and dispose of all seeds and rhizomes. Take to the compost area of the waste disposal facility. Refer to the Tiny Cottager website at www.tinycottager.org for identification and removal guidelines.