Do you drive down Blair Road frequently? Have you seen the new rare signs that have just gone up?
The long awaited unveiling of these creative and educational signs began in the beginning of April. Since the township of North Dumfries has recognize the importance of these signs and has granted us the permission to install them, the first 5 listed here have been errected. The other 3 signs will be errected as soon as the City of Cambridge grants permission to do so.
Please enjoy and respect these informative images. A brief description is provided below to help describe the importance and significance of each individual sign. If you have any questions or would like anymore information about the issues and species addressed in this signage project, please contact Tarah Walsh, Community Relations Officer at 519-650-9336 ext. 112 and she would be happy to respond.
As one of rare’s most prestigious historical buildings, this sign indicates the location of the historical 1840’s Slit Barn. Right now, one of rare’s biggest priorities is restoring this architectural monument and using it to hold public events and talks. The Slit Barn is one of the oldest structures on the rare property – one that has the potential to help facilitate our educational programming and act as a physical reminder of our dedication to our cultural histories. The barn, once restored, will act as a public shelter at the trailhead of our Cliffs and Alvars trail.
For more information on our efforts to save this cultural icon please go to: http://raresites.org/cms/en/GetInvolved/Restoringthe1840sLimestoneBarn.aspx?menuid=82 or contact our Director of Community Relations, Patti Leather by email at plleather@raresites.org or by telephone at 519-650-9336 ext. 118.
For more information on our Environmental Education program please go to:
http://raresites.org/cms/en/EnvironmentalEducation/ChainOfLearning.aspx?menuid=44 or contact our Manager of Education, Matt Lawson by email at melawson@raresites.org or by telephone at 519-650-9336 ext. 114.
This sign indicates the location of our community gardens. With a scenic view of the Grand and Speed confluence, this site provides a perfect place to relax, garden and meet with friends. Whether you are renting a garden plot here, or just visiting to walk the Springbank trail, you are sure to find peace of mind as well as knowledge. Our community garden plots offer a place to grow local produce with access to tools, water, compost and advice. There are also demonstration gardens here which teach and educate both adults and children about gardening, plant cycles, pollinators, sustainability and the importance of healthy eating.
Upon studying the greater rare area, Geologist Alan Morgan, states that the limestone cliffs seen at rare along the Grand River were deposited by a warm tropical sea which covered this area about 420 million years ago. This rock is part of a larger mass named the Guelph Formation. The early settlers of this area used the thicker units of the Guelph Formation for several buildings in the older parts of Cambridge. At rare, the 1840’s slit barn along Blair road is built predominantly of this rock type. Close examination of these rocks reveals numerous signs of fossilized specimens, distant relatives of clams, squid and octopus. As well, these cliffs, while similar to those of the Niagara Escarpment, are the only ones in Waterloo Region. They house and protect old trees and globally rare ferns.
Out of the many things that could be said about the rare property, this sign highlights highlights the key facts that indicate its importance to the community. The size of the property contributes directly to the number of unique species and sightings that frequent it. And with six of eight pre-settlement landscapes, this space provides an unparalleled site for research, education and passive leisure, with archaeological material and historical buildings that represent our cultural histories.
With its playful reference, this sign encourages curious minds to think about one of the issues surrounding land management. Invasive species are an ongoing threat to biodiversity, second only to habitat loss. The introduction of alien species to an ecosystem happens in a variety of ways. Sometimes it’s due to humans travelling from one place to another and taking plant life with them (i.e.European settlers bringing over plants and seeds), sometimes seeds are transported by birds, and sometimes it’s as simple as a dog running off leash through a forest and into a field, carrying and depositing seeds as it moves from one ecosystem to another. Garlic Mustard (as shown on this sign) is an example of an invasive which has threatened the biodiversity of native plants here at rare. As part of our mandate to protect biodiversity, rare tries its best to manage invasive species where it can.
The rare Reserve acts as an annual meeting place for Bald Eagles; a species threatened by habitat loss and currently considered a species of special concern by the Ministry of Natural Resources. Since the Bald Eagle is under such pressure and does not tolerate humans within 300 metres of its hunting perch, rare mandates that people stay a respected 300 metres in radius from known perches and nocturnal roost sites between November 15th and March 15th in designated areas of the property. We ask that you do not use the Cliffs and Alvars trail, as it falls within High Risk Zones, during the stated time-period. Winter is a period of thermal stress for these birds and disturbance increases their energy requirements. During very cold days, eagles prefer to sit on a perch all day. Studies indicate that on these days they may fly as little as 30 minutes per day.
This sign indicates the location of our head office – 1679 Blair Rd., also known as the historic Lamb’s Inn – or more recently as The Nicholson Tavern. Originally built in 1837 as a stage coach inn, this provincially designated heritage building now houses rare’s administration offices. A central objective of the charity is to preserve both the natural and built heritage here, highlighting its significance and sharing its history with the public. As an Inn along the stage coach line in Blair, the oldest Village in Upper Canada, the building and its surroundings offer an incredible opportunity to consider the past.