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In order to log this EarthCache you
must fill in the areas marked by the letters in brackets,
eg (A), and e-mail them
to me through my profile. You must also provide a photo of yourself
or your team at some point within the confines of the bog. I will
allow 48 hrs before I remove your log entry if I do not receive the
answers. It is also up to you as to whether or not you post the
photos here for everyone to see. Please do not include spoilers if
you do.
Sifton bog began its life approximately
(A) years ago during the
Wisconsinan Period. A chunk of ice fell from one of the
retreating glaciers and embedded itself into the ground at
this site. After a period of several thousand years the ice
melted, forming a body of water called a (B). Peat, on the lake bed, was formed as
plants and sphagnum mosses grew along the edges of the lake,
died and decomposed. This stage of decomposition was slowed
by the amount of acid being produced by the rotting mosses
and lack of heat and oxygen. Consequently the decomposing
waste has been collecting on the bed of this ancient lake and
slowly decreasing its size. As the peat collected it formed a
raised area where other plants could root into and grow,
eventually the bog will close itself off and the lake will
cease to exist.
In the recent past this area has been used for the
harvest of peat and Christmas tress. In 1957, a zoologist by the
name of (C) of the University of
Western Ontario (UWO) began a movement to preserve the, then named,
Byron Bog. In 1967, The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority
gained control of the bog from the Province of Ontario and through
a grant from the (D) and renamed the
bog "Sifton (Botanical) Bog."
Today this area houses some (E) different types of rare and unique plants as
well as one of the largest deer populations in the city. If you are
very quiet during your visit you may spot one, or more, of the deer
in the park.
The Conservation Authority has asked me
that during your visit to the Sifton Bog you follow these
rules:
- Please use the official access points indicated on
the map.
- Managed trails are marked with yellow
blazes.
- BICYCLES ARE NOT PERMITTED IN SIFTON
BOG.
- All dogs must be on leash (2 metre/ 6 ft
max.).
- Do not disturb wildlife or pick or transplant
flowers.
- Keep the ESAs litter free.
- Fishing is permitted with a provincial fishing
licence.
- Carry your litter out.
- No hunting is permitted.
- Access allowed from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00
p.m.
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