Tom Henihan
Express Staff
@SmokyRiverExprs
The Kimiwan Lake Naturalists annual community hike took place a little later than usual this year, due in part to the McLennan Trade Fair on September 23 in which many regulars on the hike were involved and would likely have been busy taking down their booths.
As was expected, the Thanksgiving Sunday also conflicted with participants schedules but to postpone the hike any further would have left it too late in the year.
Sunday October 9 was a fresh, sunny afternoon and over a dozen participants took to the trails with Kimiwan Lake Naturalists members Mark Heckbert and Philippa O’Mahony being among the group heading out.
The community hike has been an annual event since 2011 and apart from the fun and exercise of going out on the trails, the event is also a means of making people aware that the facility is there and encouraging the community to avail of it.
The O’Mahony Conservation Area is open year round for people to show up and enjoy it at any time.
The area, developed by the O’Mahony family, G.P. Vanier School and the local community, is not only a conservation area for birds, wildlife and vegetation but is also for the community’s enjoyment and recreation.
However, when used for skiing, walking, bird watching etc., it is important that people respect that it is first a conservation area and remember to take out anything they bring in to preserve the natural equilibrium of the area.
Motorized vehicles, bicycles, fires, hunting, pets and horses are prohibited.
The Kimiwan Lake Naturalists are a not-for-profit society committed to maintaining the ecological integrity of Kimiwan Lake and to utilizing the area for education, research and habitat enhancement activities.
The Society operates its Interpretive Centre and Birdwalk, on Highway 2 in McLennan located on the south shore of the lake.
The O’Mahony Conservation Area is located approximately 9 kilometers south of the Town of McLennan on Highway 2. The parking lot at the trailhead is 1 kilometers from the highway on Township Road 770.