You are invited...To the White Lake Iris Pull! (Spread the word, not the invasive species!)

When:  Saturday, October 27, 2012
Where:  Massey's yard in White Lake (3163 White Lake Road)
Parking:  On the road above Massey's house, or in the John Evdokimoff Bike Park, and walk down to the Massey's (about 30 steps)
Time:  9:00am-3:00pm

9:00 pm - PANCAKE BREAKFAST WILL BE SERVED AT 9am!  COME AND WARM YOUR INSIDES WITH HOT COFFEE AND A PANCAKE BEFORE LAUNCHING INTO THE WET, SOGGY MARSH  Breakfast served by STA volunteers.  Lunch will be provided by Tim Horton`s.  (Thanks to BC Parks and Tim Horton`s for providing event refreshments.)
10:00am - INFORMAL INVASIVE SPECIES TALK, followed by work session.

Highlights of the Day:
This event is a Shuswap Trail Alliance Stewardship event.  (The BC Wildlife Federation Wetland Keeper Course inspired us to put this all together!)  Learn about native wetland species and the invasive species trying to push into their habitat.  Discover the difference between a Yellow Flag Iris and a Cattail.  Also receive some training on effective removal and disposal of invasive plants, from a wetland and forest environment.  Mostly, come and slosh around, dig and pull and drag and haul as much yellow flag iris as we can out of Little White Lake.  This is just the start of attacking the iris, which is starting to spread to other parts of the White Lake ecosystem (BC Parks is concerned with the iris spreading into the park on Big White Lake).

BC Parks is co-hosting the White Lake Iris Pull.  There will be prizes, warming stations, BC Parks biologist on location to assist, and lots of food.  Come join the community in this effort to clean up our wetland.  White Lake is one of the treasures of the Shuswap, and we appreciate the help in keeping it clean  and functioning.  Take home lessons learned back to the wetland and trails in your own backyard!

Shovels and tools will be provided by the STA (unless you really need your favourite shovel!), and gloves for everyone from BC Parks (it really is a mucky job.  Wear old clothes!).  Bring hip waders, warm socks, rubber boots.  If you are a snorkler or scuba diver and would like to do some underwater work, there is a patch of water lilies that need to be dug out.  Could be interesting!  Bring along your gear.   Throw your canoe or kayak in, if you`d like to take a paddle.  (There are a couple boats here to borrow.)

RSVP to Carmen Massey (we want to have enough food for you:)).  250-835-8766 or ctmassey@hotmail.com. We look forward to seeing you all there!

Carmen MasseyShuswap Trail Alliance, Stewardship Coordinator