Nestow’s inspection on October 7, 2024, revealed moderate disturbances primarily from invasive species and OHV tracks in the northern region, while the southern area exhibited tree cutting and legacy-dumping near. There is a need for cleanup, fencing, and public awareness to protect the site’s natural beauty.

Nestow was a conciliation prize after an excursion to Tawatina NA showed this site to be impassable (see 2024-10-07: Tawatinaw NA). Hubert opted to go home and the remaining members broke into two crews. Susan and Manna explored the Northern portion of Nestow while Madeline, Patsy, and Phrank the southern bit.

1. Moderately Disturbed
   1. North Team Observations
   2. South Team Observations
2. Inspection Reports
   1. Inspection Report: 2024-10-07: Nestow (NA); Susan N
   2. Inspection Report: 2024-10-07: Nestow (NA); Phrank P.
3. Images from Inspection

Moderately Disturbed

North Team Observations

The North team (Susan and Manna) visited two areas on either side of the RR. There is some incursion of invasive species and OHV tracks are prevalent on the Eastern portion. The latter is facilitated by the Jack Pine forest, sandy soil, and easy access. The Western portion, a wetland, was less accessible and so also less disturbed.

South Team Observations

A dozen or so trees were cut in the past few weeks of the site visit. This was near to a legacy dump reflecting long term abuse of the site. A formerly wet area gave a good example of a transition from a wet to a dry forest cover. The birch trees are been displaced with Alders while ferns and mosses abound.

Inspection Reports

Inspection Report: 2024-10-07: Nestow (NA); Susan N

Question	Q##	Response
		General Information
Date/Site/Submitter:	Q21/22/12	2024-10-07: Nestow (NA); Susan N
Guest Names	Q14
SAPAA Member	Q16	No
		Over all Impression of the Site
What is the Naturalness of the Site? 4=Great, 0=Terrible	Q31	3
How Natural?: comments	Q32	We visited two small portions of the northernmost section of the PNT. The sandy hillside/meadow had some invasive plant species (Crepis tectorum – annual hawk’s-beard) and a vehicle track leading off Range Rd 245A into the interior. The wetland area to the west of RR 245A was quite unspoiled, with no evidence of human incursion. There was evidence of past fire in both areas that we visited.
		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	I have included two photos showing the areas where we visited. Total distance walked was approximately 1.5km.
		What is in the Site?
Ease to Visit	Q51	None of the Above
Biological Observations	Q52	The sandy hillside/meadows are easy to gain access to. The densely forested areas to the east of RR 245A are basically impenetrable and require bushwhacking. No unexpected plants were observed.
Submissions to iNaturalist	Q53	Yes
Geological Observations	Q54
Designation as a Protected Area	Q55	Fencing
Comments	Q56	There appeared to be some fencing on the northernmost edge of the sandy area but it was unclear whether it was erected by the adjacent property owner or was erected to delineate the natural area.
		Human Activities/Disturbances
Agricultural Activities	Q61	None noted
Resource extraction	Q62	None Noted
Motorized disturbances (ATV or vehicle activity).	Q63	Off Highway Vehicles (e.g. quads, motorbikes), 4×4 vehicles
Animal or self propelled activities	Q64	None Noted
Gathering and Dumping Activities	Q65	Garbage dumping
Infrastructure encroachment	Q66	None Noted
Comments	Q67	Three tires (picture enclosed) were seen dumped on the west side of RR 245A. GPS Coordinates: 54.23042 N, 113.59557 W
		What Needs to be Done?
Remediation/Protection Activities Needed	Q71	Fencing, Cleanup, Signs
What Have you Done Recently to Help the site?	Q72	Visit and Submitted This Report!
Nearby Stewards?	Q73
Comments	Q74
Last Words	Q82

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

Question	Q##	Response
		General Information
Date/Site/Submitter:	Q21/22/12	2024-10-07: Nestow (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	2
How Natural?: comments	Q32	Extensive ATV activity, dumping and tree cutting. This is balanced against a reasonably healthy Jack Pine forest.
		How was your visit to the PA?
Trip Duration	Q41	1-2 hours
Why Did you Go?	Q42	Visit nature, PA Site inspection for SAPAA
Visit Details	Q43	Part of a SAPAA field trip that included Tawatinaw. A very short visit to the Southern portion of the NA, just south of the county land which bisects the NA.
		What is in the Site?
Ease to Visit	Q51	No Amenities, No Signage
Biological Observations	Q52	Non-government no dumping signs have been posted.
Submissions to iNaturalist	Q53	No, did not see anything of note
Geological Observations	Q54	Very sandy soil exposed due to erosion from ATVs.
Designation as a Protected Area	Q55	None Noted
Comments	Q56
		Human Activities/Disturbances
Agricultural Activities	Q61	None noted
Resource extraction	Q62	Tree Harvesting
Motorized disturbances (ATV or vehicle activity).	Q63	Off Highway Vehicles (e.g. quads, motorbikes)
Animal or self propelled activities	Q64	Botanical pursuits (e.g. plant identification)
Gathering and Dumping Activities	Q65	Garbage dumping
Infrastructure encroachment	Q66	Power lines, Roads
Comments	Q67	At least a dozen trees were recently cut in the NA.
		What Needs to be Done?
Remediation/Protection Activities Needed	Q71	Fencing, Cleanup, Signs, Educating Neighbours about Site Usage
What Have you Done Recently to Help the site?	Q72	Visit and Submitted This Report!
Nearby Stewards?	Q73
Comments	Q74	There is a farm yard to the south of the site and Nestow hamlet lies North of the NA.
Last Words	Q82	This is a beautiful site that should be better protected.

Images from Inspection