Monday, September 19, 2016

NOVA NATURE TRAIL

      Just east of my town is one of the world's largest chemical manufacturing plants ...Nova Chemicals. It produces ethylene and polyethylene which are products used to make any number of  specific productsused in manufacturing. The first section of the plant was built in the 1970's and it's been added to 4 times since the original plant was built. The actual plant covers about 900 acres and then there is a huge rail yard where rail cars are loaded with the product. They still have much more land for future expansion.Oh yes,the product comes in the form of little balls. Ethylene and polyethylene are produced from ethane and natural gas.

      It's a large employer and taxpayer in this area which contributes to the area's prosperity.

      Now that I've got all that out of the way I can say what a wanted to say.

     Saturday morning I took my birding group to the Nova Nature Trail. This is a 280 acre area on the north side of the plant. Jones Creek runs through the middle of the property so there are some excellent wetlands helped out by some major beaver dams. The property is made up of riparian plants, brush, grassland and small trees. At one time it was used as pasture land. This area was opened 2 years ago. This area will be excellent bird and animal habitat. The brush, grass and trees make excellent habitat for nesting. There are many excellent boardwalks over the wetlands which provide great viewing.

     On Sat. we saw 19 bird species and a couple that we couldn't identify. 

     Now on Sat. decided to take photos instead of use my field glasses for close observation of birds. It was a very bright fall day and was diappointing for photographs. get some shots of the plant and the trail area to show a bit of what it looks like. The plant is more than a mile away in these photos.











31 comments:

  1. I am so glad that it is a birding area and that you saw some there:)

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    1. It will be interesting to go back in the breeding season.

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  2. looks like a nice nature trail. glad they have made it available.

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  3. I am also glad that the chemicals don't seem to be making a difference in the wildlife. Or the people life, either. :-)

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    1. They have controls but much goes into the upper atmosphere.

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  4. Pretty good count for a hike. I am seeing many leaving here,I hate to see them go.

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  5. Nova Chemicals? Not the kind of "plant" you want to see on a nature walk but I guess such industries are necessary.

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    1. They set this up on their property. They need all the PR they can get.

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  6. One of the few ways we get any natural untouched land is near industry that is required to give up trade-off land when they clear huge swaths of forest.

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  7. We can definitely get a good sense of the landscape and flora from your photos. Looks like a nice area, even with the plant there. The fauna is a bit far away, though. :)

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    1. It was extremely bright and I couldn't see on my monitor so was shooting blind!

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  8. I'm glad that the nearby company has made a place for wildlife to live.

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  9. I used to volunteer at a wetlands. It was very interesting to watch the area being restored to a safe home for birds and animals. Also a lot of water science going on there.

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    1. Very little of this is reclaimed land. Most of it is natural habitat but has been altered by grazing.

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  10. That's very commendable that the company has provided wetlands for birds and animals to live. You have a great zoom if that was a mile away! Great trail and thanks for sharing.

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    1. They get good PR from projects like this.

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  11. It looks like early fall has made its way to your neck of the woods. That's quite a few bird species so it must be a good area for birds, maybe a few migrants? It's great that the company has made a nature trail to be used by the town..

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  12. In my experience such companies must be watched carefully. Curious to see nature so close to that.

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  13. I hope nothing escapes from that plant to harm the wildlife.

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  14. That is a nice area to walk around and spot birds.

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  15. Looks like a really beautiful area. I hope that company is responsible and ethical.

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  16. Hi Red, This is a very interesting place for birding and taking photos of the natural plants. I love it when industry does something like this to help the environment. Thanks for sharing this!

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  17. A real nice area and interesting that all this nature is going on with the power plant so close.

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  18. That is a very beautiful area that you have started to show with pictures. Nice trails. Wow that much acres 280. Fall is a beautiful time to explore.
    Nice you have a group Red that you are a leader of.makes it more interesting. Thanks for sharing.

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  19. Good is good but skepticism makes me want to check what's going up in the atmosphere....

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  20. It must be so much fun to go birding with you, Red. I love your stopping to see the wildflowers.

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