CELEBRATING THE HILLS

Sunday, September 13, 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
150 Donald B. Munro Drive, Carp
A donation of $5 per person, $10 per family is requested.

Join the Friends of Huntley Highlands in “Celebrating the Hills”, a public event on a 50-acre private property in the Carp Hills near the village of Carp.  Surrounded by an old forest with rocky outcrops of rugged Canadian Shield, participants can enjoy many activities, explore nature trails, and climb to an exceptional view overlooking the Carp River valley. An art show and sale, guided and self-guided nature walks, music, refreshments, and children’s activities are planned.  The West Carleton War Memorial sculpture by artist Ron Cowle will be on display.

Celebrate the Hills has two purposes:  to raise awareness about this scenic and ecologically important wilderness area and to raise funds for the Friends of Huntley Highlands.  First and foremost is to show people how special the Carp Hills are.  These hills comprise the only expression in the city of Ottawa of the billion-year-old Canadian Shield, the oldest rock on earth and a Canadian icon worldwide that inspired the famous landscapes of the Group of Seven. The Carp Hills are also acknowledged by the City as one of its most important natural features and by the province of Ontario as an Area of Natural and Scientific Interest hosting provincially significant wetlands.

Dr. Owen Clarkin will lead nature walks along paths in the forest and up onto the Carp Hills ridge. Dr. Clarkin is the conservation committee chair of the Ottawa Field-Naturalists, and is well known for his expert knowledge of trees. We are excited to welcome him back to explain the special ecology of the Carp Hills. The old red oak tree that was the winner of our recent Biggest Tree contest will be just one of the highlights of the nature walks.

A call-out has been sent to artists in the region to display their work at this event.  The art on display will be inspired by nature and depict the landscape of the Carp Hills:  hardwood and coniferous forests, wetland and rocky outcrop vegetation, spectacular igneous and sedimentary (including glacial) geology, and wildlife, including species at risk. A marketplace table will be selling small or donated items such as pins, cards, books, small trees, etc, and refreshments from local establishments will be available.

This will also be the final day to bid on Autumn Splendour, a oil painting by by the late, renowned Canadian artist, John Mlacak, donated by his widow, Beth.

Bring your family, enjoy the scenery, and discover the Carp Hills.  For more details, go to www.huntleyhighlands.com

Yours , on the journey,                           
Ray
Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet
Thich Nhat Hahn