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News

Add Your Testimonials

Some of you will have read in the December Newsletter that we were working on adding a section in your website listing that would allow for the Posting of Testimonials. The benefit of having your testimonials (and the content contained therein) posted on our websites, is that it will increase the quantity and quality of visitor traffic to our sites. Therefore, this should also increase the subsequent visitation to your own sites through the weblink.

We are pleased to advise that everything is now in working order. You can send us your testimonials for posting, or simply go to the Member Services section on our site and enter your testimonials in the same place as you would modify your website listing (you will see the testimonial field at the bottom of this section). You can add your
testimonials by manually inputting them, or simply cutting & pasting them into the designated field. Should you require assistance don't hesitate to e-mail Ruth (ruth at freemap.ca) or give our office a call.

We know that most of you already have glowing testimonials on your own sites, but may be too busy to move them over to your PRTC website listing. Therefore, to take this exercise one step further - we're advising you now that unless we hear from you otherwise by February 05, we will begin the process of moving the testimonials from your own site onto our sites. We can't see how this would be an issue, because by having them posted on your site, they are already out there for the world to see. By having more content on our site and a link over to your site, we see this as a win - win situation for everyone. But as noted above, if you don't want us to post your testimonials on our
site, just let us know by February 05.

02 Feb 2010 by Ruth

2009 Ross Finch Award

President Steve Hartle presented the Ross Finch Award to Dryden's Mayor Anne Krassilowsky at the PRTC AGM held in September. The award, established in 1994, is presented annually for outstanding contributions to the tourism industry in Canada's Heartland. Mayor Krassilowsky has always been a strong supporter and advocate for the tourism industry in the Patricia Region. The award is proudly named after long time tourist operator Ross Finch, who was also the recipient of the first award.

16 Oct 2009 by Ruth

More Info on Non-Resident Outdoors Card

The program will come into effect Jan. 1/09 and anyone wishing to hunt or fish in Ontario will be required to have an Outdoors Card. The card will cost $9.00 and be valid for 3 years. These new requirements are part of the implementation of a new licencing automation system that takes effect 2010. The requirement for an Outdoors Card will also enhance the ability to replace lost hunting and fishing licences and hunters will only need to show their hunter accreditation once rather than each time purchasing a hunting licence. Once the paper application has been completed, the Outdoors Card will be mailed to the purchaser's home address. If you have any questions about the program, you can contact Burton McClelland, Manager of Licencing Improvement Project, Ministry of Natural Resources at 705-755-1802.

06 Oct 2008 by Ruth

Aquatic Invasive Species Monitoring Program - Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Protecting our waters from unwanted introductions of Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) is a priority for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO). A major route of introduction for AIS is by hitch-hiking on trailored watercraft.

Starting in the summer of 2007, DFO has initiated a monitoring program to help prevent the introduction of AIS into the Rainy River / Lake of the Woods region. Watercraft inspectors will inspect trailered watercraft for AIS: Zebra Mussels, Round Goby, Rusty Crayfish, Spiny Water Flea, and the aquatic nuisance plants; Eurasian Water-milfoil and Black Algae.

The watercraft inspectors are working in conjunction with the Canadian Border Services at the international borders in Fort Frances and Rainy River. They will also have a visible presence at local events and fishing tournaments.

DFO is asking that boaters stop for a quick AIS boat inspection and short survey. Help protect our lakes and rivers from unwanted introductions of Aquatic Invasive Species!

Here are websites that describe the devastation of invasive species on our aquatic environment:
http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/science/environmental-environnement/invasive_e.htm
http://www.invadingspecies.com/

Thanks you,

Laurie Wesson

Laurie Wesson
204-984-6340 | facsimile / topieur 204-984-2404
wessonl@DFO-MPO.gc.ca
Central & Arctic Region | Rion du Centre et de lrctique
Fisheries and Oceans Canada | Phes et Ocns Canada
501 University Crescent Winnipeg, MB. R3T 2N6
Government of Canada | Gouvernement du Canada

18 Jul 2007 by Ruth

With a Little Help

The Dryden Trappers Council, with a generous donation of plywood from Weyerhaeuser, embarked on a local pilot project to provide nesting sites for female pine marten. The idea was brought to the Council's attention in an article published by the Timmins Fur Council and an article from BBC News. Declared extinct in England a decade ago, the pine marten are making a comeback there, according to Wildlife experts. The British Foresty Commission accomplished this by erecting den boxes. Projects have also been undertaken in Scotland with encouraging results. The Timmins Fur Council are also arranging for the installation of boxes in the hopes that their efforst will produce similar results.
With the timber cutting and planting processes currently in use locally, there leaves very little natural shelte for marten once an area has been cut off. Marten will travel and hunt in areas of young growth, which house food sources such as grouse, rabbit and squirrel, but will not reside there. They prefer cavities of deciduous trees in mature growth areas. The boxes provide artificial cavities for nesting, shelter and protection from other predators. The boxes are 6" x 6" x 16" long with a 2" hole, large enough to allow marten to enter but too small for larger predators to gain access. Boxes are installed in deciduous trees, 3 to 4 meters above ground level and are places at least 1 km apart.
Fifteen members of the Dryden Council assembled to produce 168 boxes in a day. The boxes will distributed over a dozen different lines. Several members have already reported that they have installed their boxes so if you happen to come across one, please don't disturb it. You may jave just found a new home for a future marten family.

08 Sep 2006 by Ruth