Sunnyside Acres Heritage Society
"Dedicated in perpetuity for its intrinsic and heritage values."
Winter 2016
"Sunnyside Acres Sentinel"
President's Message:
It is always a pleasure to welcome visitors to this second growth natural gem in South Surrey. Whether you are an established member of the community or new to the area, we hope you will find each visit enjoyable and an incentive to return at every opportunity.
As the forest is continually changing in its many dimensions and in conjunction with changing seasons, it is worthy to take note of what changes you might observe in travelling along the trails whether it be walking, jogging or cycling. For anyone physically challenged, The Wally Ross Trail has been established and is “off limits” to cyclists.
Our information kiosk is located in the Wally Ross parking lot and has a display of maps, trails, a bulletin board of “Upcoming Events” and self-guided interpretive walk brochures.
For additional information please visit our website at: www.Sunnysideacres.ca and our facebook page.
We welcome your feedback at anytime on any matter.
Ron Meadley
Our Mission:
We work cooperatively with the City of Surrey to protect and manage the 130 hectares of mature second growth forest known today as Sunnyside Acres Urban Forest. We are committed to sustaining the forest and its flora and fauna in as natural a state as possible for the benefit of current and future generations, and to promote public use, enjoyment and knowledge of the heritage represented by Sunnyside Acres Urban Forest.
"Sunnyside Acres is designated an Urban Forest, set aside in perpetuity for its intrinsic and heritage values to provide long term, non consumptive enjoyment and benefits to the general public.”
Upcoming Events:
November 19th Habitat Enhancement on 20th Ave., 142nd. Volunteers, of all ages are invited to join members in a community planting and invasive plant removal clean up along the forest’s edge.
Refreshments and tools will be provided.
Ongoing Events:
Forest guided tours and speaking engagements.
[more info at www.sunnysideacres.com ]
Please contact Dr Strang if you plan on booking a tour or would like to invite him to speak at your organization on the benefits of living next to an urban forest. roymstrang@gmail.com
All tours begin and end at the Wally Ross Parking Lot 24th Ave 145th St.
Park Concerns:
Waste dumping... Unsightly trash which frequently includes green waste and earth is generally strewn into the forest edge requiring collection and removal. In addition, damage to the under story result from the unnecessary trampling and efforts to effectively remove this trash.
Green waste in particular poses a real threat to this natural area as waste material can act as a medium to transmit live invasive seeds and roots along with exotic pests and plant diseases into the forest. Invasive plant growth as a direct result of green wastes being dumped is a large “RED FLAG.” It requires immediate attention and effort to extract roots from the understory as soon as they appear. Usually, it will take several years of monitoring and follow-up extraction before all of these roots are effectively removed.
Off leash dogs. Please note that dogs on leash are welcome to enjoy nature along with their human owners. There have been a few incidents where off leash dogs have frightened park participants, chased wildlife, and destroyed natural habitat/vegetation. We ask that you obey the park rules for the safety and enjoyment of all users and leave nothing behind but footprints.
There is a lot going on inside a forest. Trees fall, branches drop onto trails during winter windstorms and wildlife can become injured or die. Trails can flood in times of prolonged wet weather. These are natural events.
Off leash dogs allowed to run free off the trails disturb wildlife and plants. Dog owners who do not pick up after their pets or those who leave plastic bags of feces need gentle reminders of the impact their animals are having on an environment that should be enjoyed by all. Garbage bins are supplied at all entrances for deposit of doggy droppings, paper products and tin cans.
People breaking new trails and dumping garbage is costly to remove or repair.
Invasive plants if left can soon take over the forest floor crowding out the native flora.
If you would like to become a Society Volunteer Observer please contact president rmeadley@netrover.com
And, for your convenience and feedback, we are also on Facebook.
Who Am I?
Meet BC’s official bird...the beautiful but very cheeky Steller’s Jay.
Recognized as the only crested jay in the West, Steller’s Jay is named after Arctic explorer Georg Wilhelm Steller, who discovered this bird on the Alaska coast in 1731. The darkest jay in North America, it has a black head and crest and a sooty black back and breast.
Song... Variety of calls, including harsh shaack, shaack, shaack and shooka, shooka notes; a mellow klook klook klook; and shrill hawklike vocalizations. Often mimics calls of other birds, including loons and hawks.
Behaviour... Bold around campgrounds but somewhat shy in woods. Often travels in flocks which includes family groups after breeding season. Most often feeds in treetops and on ground. Omnivorous; eats frogs, snakes, eggs and young of other birds, insects and carrion, but approximately 70% of diet is comprised of pine seeds, acorns, and fruit. Caches seeds and acorns for winter larder.
Breeding... This species is known to be monogamous. It is known as a solitary nester. Courtship feeding is done by male Steller’s Jay.
Nesting... Incubation 16-18 days mostly by female. Altricial young remain in nest 17-21 days. Fed by both sexes. 1 brood per year.
Population... Steller’s Jay is common in pine-oak and coniferous woodlands. Its population is both stable and increasing. It is nonmigratory and weighs 4.5 ounces.
Source –Smithsonian Birds of North America – Western Region
Kidz Korner
Black-Tailed Deer
Did you know that we have a small herd of black-tailed deer living in Sunnyside Acres Urban Forest Park? We must be very careful when driving around our forest because sometimes these deer cross our busy streets. We can’t light any fires in the park or throw cigarette butts out of our cars windows because they could start a fire that could burn down the forest and the animals wouldn’t have any homes or anything to eat.
Deer like to eat Douglas-fir boughs, huckleberries, salal, and deer ferns. They also like wild berries.
Do you know what a male deer is called? It’s called a buck and the females are called does, babies are fawns and are usually born in late May or June. Fawns only weigh 4 kilograms when born. That’s about the size of an adult cat. They take their first steps within a half hour of their birth. Bucks grow horns which are called antlers. They grow new ones each year. Bet you didn’t know that!!
Here are some deer jokes for you.
Jane asks Mark: "What do you call a deer with no eyes?" Mark shrugs and says, "No-eye deer."...
Why do male deer need braces? (Because they have buck teeth!)... What do you get if you cross Bambi with a ghost? {Bamboo} That’s all for this edition...don’t forget to color the fawn above.