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wp 26 -- Scugog Citizen -- Tuesday, March 19, 1996 A Jennifer Ouellette of the Greenbarik Pathfinders was awarded her Canada Cord at a ceremony In Greenbank recently. Durham MP Alex Shepherd = pfesented her with a certificate from the federal government. At right in . photo Is Marle Powe)l, Pathfinger leader and Guide Commissioner for Sunderland District. Jennifer this year is a member of the Beaverton Rangers. Child Tax Benefit -cheques in the mail The Child Tax Benefit yaymenis should reach returns 6f on the Child Tax Benefit Application. return to continue to receive their Child Tax Wednesday, Benefit p ts. Those who are expecting March 20. Revenue Clients can havé these a benefit payment and Canada. issues these payments deposjted - have not received it by monthly payments so that directly into their accounts March 22 should contact recipients usually réceive at ~~ their . financial Revenue Canada's Child them by this date each, institutions." To take Tax Benefit enquiry month. advantage of, this option, service, at 1 - 800 - 387 - 1193. This service available from 8:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. local time on weekdays. The Departihent would like to remind recipients that this filing season, both , spouses have to file a tax clients have to complete the Direct 'Deposit Request, which is on page, 4 of their income tax OSHAWA GENERAL - HOSPITAL announces MARCH BREAK REDUCTIONS IN 'SERVICES MARCH 9th to 24th, 1996 INCLUSIVE WHAT THIS MEANS FOR OUR COMMUNITY i HM The Following Essential Services will continue to operate: - Chemotherapy, Dialysis, Obstetrical Services, Critical Care, Crisis Intervention, Pinewood Cente. Orthopedic Clinic is open for emergency and urgent treatment March 11, 15, 20 and 22. " HB The Emergency Department will be staffed during this period and you may experience a longer wait if- your case is not urgent or life threatening. M Two Surgical operating rooms will be staffed for emergency and utgent surgery. BM Many Service Departments will be Closed. OUTDOORS By Steve Wickens There is a great miscon- ception among many about the need for safeguarding wetland areas. The need for ever increasing yields in agriculture, and the consistent growth of urban areas in Southern Ontario have lead to significant declines in wetlands. In fact, sincé pre - settlement days, waterfowl, that is second to no other lake in terms of size #nd variety. It"is for these one or more landfill sites in" close proximity to the lake area. Wetlands Wo much more than just provide a wildlife habitat. They are a unique onto th 68% of the existing wetland in Southern Ontario are now gone! Many others face ongoing threats from pollution and forejgn invaders such as zebra mussels. and purple loosestrife, and are losing the battle. Wetlands are a complete ecosystem. They contain a community of plants and animals that live together. These plants and animals are totally dependent on the wet soils or moisture present for survival. Wetlands are defined as areas where moisture content could be considered scarcely more than damp soil, tb water depths of two metres. These areas grow a variety of plafit species that Many of the plants found within wetland areas grow no where else. Many unique species of plants and animals are endangered or very rare. When you effhinate the wetlands, you eliminate the species! Wetlands provide huge benefits to us all. Aside from representing prime spawning areas for many warm water fish species such as bass, northern pike, and muskie, théy also act as «natural resevoirs, absorbing water during high water periods to reduce flooding, and helping to maintain the flow of water into streams during dry summer periods. Wetlands also act as natural purification systems. provide shelfer and food for , They are able to/strain many waterfowl, fish, bear, deer, pollutants and suspended small md&mmals, owls, solids from the water. These osprey, numerous songbirds, and a wide variety of amphibians such a% frogs, turtles, and salamanders. Lake Scugog, and its surrounding area, represents one of the largest remaining wetland areas in Southern Ontario. It is one of the most popularly utilized lakes by migrating waterfowl, and has a resident population of Ce / | a Utliversity areas provide prime nesting areas for all: types of : waterfowl, and "safe" nursery areas for new broods. As well, wetlands provide food and shelter for numerous species of furbearing animals. : There are many other facets to wetlands that we take for granted. They generate tourism business [ EETETICRTICIIYI Thinking University? THINK DURHAM UNIVERSITY CENTRE Full-time, day-time university degree programs " starting Fall 1996 at Durham College.. This Fall, for the first time, Durham residents can obtain a university degree on a full-time, day-time basis through two outstanding univepsities at the Durham University Centre Jocated at Durham College. Choose from a Bachelor of Administrative Studies from York = University, a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Stience from Trent ,Come out to an Information Session at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, ~ M April 2, or Monday, April 15 in room 1-110 at Durham College, 2000 Simcoe Street Northt Oshawa. " Preserving wetlands for local economies from. fishing, hunting, trapping, . photography, and hiking. Perhaps most importantly, they provide a unique classroom environment in which to teach and conduct research projects. What can you do to help preserve wetland ecosystems? Start by reducing (or eliminating) the use of pesticides, herbicides, and non - 6rganic fertilizers. Ensure your septic system is operating efficiently by having it pumped out regularly. Remove any purple loosestrife you see growing along shoreline areas, as these plants multiply rapidly, and will choke out other beneficial plants. Gain an appréciation for wetlands; know how they function, and what animals or plants make use of them. Lake Sdugog's beautiful shorelines are prime wetland arens. Unfortunately, a closer look will quickly show that some boaters use the lake as a dump. The trash they toss into the water in the way of bottles, cans, and assorted bags, often end up washed up into these shoreline wetland areas. Many ofjthese items can be' lethal to wildlife. If you witness a boater tossing trash into the lake, report them to the Ministry of Natural Resources! (Get their boat license numbers, as well as a destription of , the size, make, and colour.) Most importantly, pick - up the trash, and bring it into shore with you wherp it can Ape properly deposited into a garbage can. \ # / rf] BJORK A UNIVERSITY. 3 i Up SYR! #5 a)