Six individuals submitted four site inspection reports for Tawatinaw Natural Area. While mostly consistent, those with a botanical background noted significant invasive plant species colonization of the area.

On a fantastic fall day, the SAPAA Field Trip – Tawatinaw, October – 2024 occurred. Six individuals (attempted) to visit the two parcels of land. Unfortunately, due to a thick under story, on a few hundred metres was possible. Two alternative access points have been identified for future trips.

Two Undisturbed Viewpoints. The team had two very different perspectives on the state of the West parcel. To the untrained, it seemed to have been undisturbed with only a single track from the range road. For the botanists, they noted significant colonization of by invasive plant species. This speaks to the importance of a well-rounded team in conducting these trips.

1. Compared and Individual Site Inspection Reports
   1. Inspection Report: 2024-10-07: Tawatinaw NA; Susan N
   2. Inspection Report: 2024-10-07: Tawatinaw (NA); Patsy C.
   3. Inspection Report: 2024-10-07: Tawatinaw (NA); Hubert T.
   4. Inspection Report: 2024-10-07: Tawatinaw (NA); Phrank P.
2. Images from Inspection

Compared and Individual Site Inspection Reports

Four different site inspection forms were submitted which are presented below. See this cross comparison as well of the four reports: 2024-10-07 Compared Site Inspection Reports.

While most of the observations and comments were consistent, the Naturalness score ranged from a low of 2 to a high of 4 with a solid average of 3. The presence of invasive plant species accounted for the different perspectives.

Inspection Report: 2024-10-07: Tawatinaw NA; Susan N

Question	Q##	Response
		General Information
Date/Site/Submitter:	Q21/22/12	2024-10-07: Tawatinaw (NA; Susan N
Guest Names	Q14	Susan Neuman
SAPAA Member	Q16	No
		Over all Impression of the Site
What is the Naturalness of the Site? 4=Great, 0=Terrible	Q31	2
How Natural?: comments	Q32	The site was “natural” in the sense that there were no obvious incursions by OHV’s or other motorized vehicles. However, the sheer number of invasive weeds (thistle and invasive grasses – including reed canary grass) was quite appalling.
		How was your visit to the PA?
Trip Duration	Q41	1-2 hours
Why Did you Go?	Q42	Visit nature, Plant identification, PA Site inspection for SAPAA
Visit Details	Q43	We entered the western parcel of the natural area on it’s eastern edge from Range Rd 232. Our ingress was on an animal track about 2.0km south of the intersection with Township Rd 614. We proceeded in a westerly direction through thick forest and meadows until we came upon a creek bed with riparian vegetation. We then returned to our starting point, traveling on a slightly different path. Total distance traveled was approximately 1.0km (500 metres in, 500 metres out).
		What is in the Site?
Ease to Visit	Q51	None of the Above
Biological Observations	Q52	A rare native plant (S3) was found in three different locations: Lactuca biennis. (Observations have been uploaded to iNaturalist.) Some interesting riparian plants were also found in the creek bed, which was muddy but not submerged when we visited. Identification of those species in ongoing.
Submissions to iNaturalist	Q53	Yes
Geological Observations	Q54
Designation as a Protected Area	Q55	None Noted
Comments	Q56
		Human Activities/Disturbances
Agricultural Activities	Q61	None noted
Resource extraction	Q62	None Noted
Motorized disturbances (ATV or vehicle activity).	Q63	None Noted
Animal or self propelled activities	Q64	None Noted
Gathering and Dumping Activities	Q65	None Noted
Infrastructure encroachment	Q66	None Noted
Comments	Q67	Evidence of deer scat, and possibly animals lying down as a group in the long grass (thereby flattening an area).
		What Needs to be Done?
Remediation/Protection Activities Needed	Q71	Fencing, Invasive Weed Removal, Signs
What Have you Done Recently to Help the site?	Q72	Visit and Submitted This Report!
Nearby Stewards?	Q73
Comments	Q74	For such an “unvisited” site, the encroachment of invasive plant species was quite horrendous. If seeds are blowing in from surrounding properties, it’s not clear how such invasive species can be kept away from, and controlled within, the natural area.
Last Words	Q82

Inspection Report: 2024-10-07: Tawatinaw (NA); Patsy C.

Question	Q##	Response
		General Information
Date/Site/Submitter:	Q21/22/12	2024-10-07: Tawatinaw (NA); Patsy C.
Guest Names	Q14
SAPAA Member	Q16	Yes
		Over all Impression of the Site
What is the Naturalness of the Site? 4=Great, 0=Terrible	Q31	3
How Natural?: comments	Q32	Area sampled was NE corner of southwestern portion of NA, consisting of relatively open upland mixed forest and open depressional areas with scatered willow and large expanses of marsh reedgrass, with greater or less amounts of Canada thistle and nettle. Because Canada thistle is non-native, this portion of the NA can only be rated as a 3 at most.
		How was your visit to the PA?
Trip Duration	Q41	1-2 hours
Why Did you Go?	Q42	PA Site inspection for SAPAA
Visit Details	Q43	Objective was to assess the accessibility of the site and its naturalness, and develop a vascular plant species list. Of note were approximately 20-25 plants of the S3 species tall lettuce (Lactuca biennis) in fruiting condition in scattered populations in most areas of the forest. Also of note were very large populations of bracted honeysuckle, especially in the easternmost forest Were it not for the Canada thistle, the site might have rated a 4. 68 species were recorded on this date. The site included s dried-up, muddy gully which was productive of more riparian species. The liverwort Marchantia polymorpha was observed in this gully. Access was very difficult, with a minimal trail that was wet and difficult to navigate with fallen wood. Hence we were able to cover only a very small area. Access from the cutline to the north heading south might have provided better access to western portions,
		What is in the Site?
Ease to Visit	Q51	No Amenities
Biological Observations	Q52	Difficult to find (need Google directions) and access also tedious.
Submissions to iNaturalist	Q53	Yes
Geological Observations	Q54
Designation as a Protected Area	Q55	Signage
Comments	Q56	Northeastern portion of the NA was not accessible. An interesting site because of the presence of relatively large populations of tall lettuce, and deserves a spring/summer visit, but difficulty of access makes it difficult to do a full survey.
		Human Activities/Disturbances
Agricultural Activities	Q61	None noted
Resource extraction	Q62	None Noted
Motorized disturbances (ATV or vehicle activity).	Q63	None Noted
Animal or self propelled activities	Q64	None Noted
Gathering and Dumping Activities	Q65	None Noted
Infrastructure encroachment	Q66	None Noted
Comments	Q67	Presence of Canada thistle may be due to surrounding agricultural activities and may have been tracked in by wildlife. The moist, open areas provide very suitable habitat for Canada thistle and are also where wildlife bed down.
		What Needs to be Done?
Remediation/Protection Activities Needed	Q71	Invasive Weed Removal, Other (see comments, Q74)
What Have you Done Recently to Help the site?	Q72	Visit and Submitted This Report!
Nearby Stewards?	Q73	Possibly, as there is a residence nearby.
Comments	Q74
Last Words	Q82	A minimal, maintained trail system for access and monitoring would be desirable but is likely not cost-effective given the amount (lack of) of public usage it receives.

Inspection Report: 2024-10-07: Tawatinaw (NA); Hubert T.

Question	Q##	Response
		General Information
Date/Site/Submitter:	Q21/22/12	2024-10-07: Tawatinaw (NA); Hubert T.
Guest Names	Q14
SAPAA Member	Q16	Yes
		Over all Impression of the Site
What is the Naturalness of the Site? 4=Great, 0=Terrible	Q31	4 – Great
How Natural?: comments	Q32	No trails or other human access apparent in the Western part of the NA.
		How was your visit to the PA?
Trip Duration	Q41	1-2 hours
Why Did you Go?	Q42	Visit nature, Plant identification, PA Site inspection for SAPAA
Visit Details	Q43	Entered the NA about 440 m South of the Northeastern corner of the Eastern portion of the NA on RR 232; penetrated about 230 m to the West from there; initially followed a moose trail, then bushwhacking on moist ground.
		What is in the Site?
Ease to Visit	Q51	Other (see comments, Q52)
Biological Observations	Q52	Observation of about 20 tall blue lettuce (Lactuca biennis) plants which is rare plant in Alberta with S3 designation. Heavy infestation with Canada thistle noted.
Submissions to iNaturalist	Q53	Yes
Geological Observations	Q54
Designation as a Protected Area	Q55	Other (see comments)
Comments	Q56	Alberta Government sign at the Northeastern corner; Natural Area set up as a memorial to W. N. Simmons for his efforts to preserve the area for the protection of wildlife.
		Human Activities/Disturbances
Agricultural Activities	Q61	None noted
Resource extraction	Q62	None Noted
Motorized disturbances (ATV or vehicle activity).	Q63	None Noted
Animal or self propelled activities	Q64	Not Applicable
Gathering and Dumping Activities	Q65	None Noted
Infrastructure encroachment	Q66	None Noted
Comments	Q67
		What Needs to be Done?
Remediation/Protection Activities Needed	Q71	Continued Monitoring
What Have you Done Recently to Help the site?	Q72	Visit and Submitted This Report!
Nearby Stewards?	Q73	Try to obtain information about neighbouring landowners to get permission for access to the Eastern portion of the NA
Comments	Q74
Last Words	Q82	two observations submitted to iNaturalist

Inspection Report: 2024-10-07: Tawatinaw (NA); Phrank P.

Question	Q##	Response
		General Information
Date/Site/Submitter:	Q21/22/12	2024-10-07: Tawatinaw (NA); Phrank P.
Guest Names	Q14
SAPAA Member	Q16	Yes
		Over all Impression of the Site
What is the Naturalness of the Site? 4=Great, 0=Terrible	Q31	3
How Natural?: comments	Q32	Access to the parcels may make them undisturbed. More knowledgeable individuals noted considerable invasive plant species. Not being a botanist, I will go with what I know and observed.
		How was your visit to the PA?
Trip Duration	Q41	1-2 hours
Why Did you Go?	Q42	PA Site inspection for SAPAA
Visit Details	Q43	Part of the SAPAA field trip to the area.
		What is in the Site?
Ease to Visit	Q51	No Amenities
Biological Observations	Q52	East Parcel: A driving survey could find no way to access the East parcel without landowner permission. West Parcel: Accessible from RR 232, south of TWP 614.
Submissions to iNaturalist	Q53	No, did not see anything of note
Geological Observations	Q54	Numerous depressions filled with water noted in the West Parcel.
Designation as a Protected Area	Q55	Signage, Fencing
Comments	Q56	A memorial sign was posted for Williams Simmons.
		Human Activities/Disturbances
Agricultural Activities	Q61	None noted
Resource extraction	Q62	Oil/Gas wells
Motorized disturbances (ATV or vehicle activity).	Q63	None Noted
Animal or self propelled activities	Q64	Hiking Trails
Gathering and Dumping Activities	Q65	None Noted
Infrastructure encroachment	Q66	None Noted
Comments	Q67	Difficult to assess infrastructure in the site due to limited penetration and access.
		What Needs to be Done?
Remediation/Protection Activities Needed	Q71	Signs
What Have you Done Recently to Help the site?	Q72	Visit and Submitted This Report!
Nearby Stewards?	Q73
Comments	Q74	The local fish and game association is a likely steward.
Last Words	Q82	The route map shows two hiking icons which I will try next visit. For the West parcel, it is from TWP 614 and roughly south of RR 233. For the East parcel, it is the terminus of RR 230 south of TWP 615.

Images from Inspection