Congratulations and Farewell!

Barbara MacKenzie-Wynia has been the Regional Coordinator for the Nature Network regions of Huronia, Lake Ontario North and Northern Ontario for the last 17 years. Barbara retired a few days ago on January 12. As most of our Nature Network members know, Barbara is an incredibly warm, generous and insightful person with wonderful experience and knowledge. We are very sad to see her go but are happy for her to embark on this next exciting stage of her life chasing around her grandchildren! I am sure our Nature Network members will join everyone at Ontario Nature in extending our heartfelt thanks to Barbara for her many years of outstanding service to the organization and the cause of nature conservation.

For the time being, Lesley will be managing all regions. Please direct any questions about the transition or anything else from Nature Network groups in all regions to her at lesleyr@ontarionature.org.

Upcoming Webinar on Land Stewardship

Join Ontario Nature’s Nature Reserves Staff in a practical and informative webinar on how to best manage land under your care. They will discuss best practices, tips and resources. The webinar will be held Wednesday January 31^st at 7 p.m. with time at the end for questions.

Just Launched: Ontario Nature Reptile and Amphibian Conservation Mini-Grants!

Mini-grants of up to $1,000 are available for Nature Network member groups to support local reptile and amphibian conservation efforts. Ontario Nature Reptile and Amphibian Conservation Mini-Grants can help with any new or existing project being undertaken to benefit reptile and/or amphibian species in your area. Here are just a few examples of the types of projects the grants may support:

• Constructing, installing and/or monitoring turtle nest protectors
• Organizing a wetland cleanup
• Restoring, creating, or monitoring important habitat
• Installing wildlife crossing signs
• Running public education programs or events directly addressing a conservation threat (e.g., road mortality, snake persecution)

In addition to financial aid, on-the-ground support from Ontario Nature staff for single day efforts or events is also available. If interested, please complete this simple application form before 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 20^th. Funding for this program is generously provided by the Hodgson Family Foundation.

Speak Up About the Provincial Budget and Proposed Changes to the Endangered Species Act

We want to draw your attention to two important opportunities open right now for input on provincial government policies. These are excellent chances to speak up for nature.

1. The provincial government is seeking feedback on its next budget through this online survey before Jan. 31. Selecting “other” allows you to type in your own suggestions. Further, Ontario Nature is preparing comments on the need for investment in protected areas, based on the recommendations of the Protected Areas Working Group. Last week we sent an email requesting sign-on from Nature Network member groups using this form, so please consider signing this letter by January 28th if you haven’t already.
2. The provincial government is proposing changes to regulations under the Endangered Species Act that will undermine protections for many species and their habitats. Ontario Nature will be drafting a submission outlining our concerns and inviting sign-on from the Nature Network later this month. We will also be posting an action alert.

We encourage you to circulate information about these opportunities widely and let your government know that nature must be a priority. We also invite you to use our submissions to draft your own, as the quantity of submissions matters.

2024 Anniversaries

Many Nature Network groups are celebrating significant anniversaries in 2024, including at least 10 groups celebrating 70 or more years! We would like to congratulate all these groups for the hard work that goes into doing all the wonderful things they do and keeping it up over many years! Not to be missed in the middle of the list is the incredible 160 years being celebrated by Nature London.

• Carolinian Canada – 40
• Friends of Lake Superior Park – 30
• Friends of Quetico Park – 40
• Friends of the Salmon River – 20
• Hamilton Naturalists’ Club – 105
• High Park Nature Centre – 25
• Hike Ontario – 50
• Junction Creek Stewardship Committee – 25
• Kawartha Field Naturalists – 40
• Kingston Field Naturalists – 75
• Lambton Shores Phragmites Community Group – 15
• Macnamara Field Naturalists Club – 40
• Manitoulin Nature Club – 45
• Nature League – 20
• Nature London – 160
• Ontario Urban Forest Council – 60
• Owen Sound Field Naturalists – 35
• Peninsula Field Naturalists – 70
• Quinte Field Naturalists – 75
• Sault Naturalists – 70
• The Friends of Ojibway Prairie – 30
• The Quetico Foundation – 75
• Toronto Entomologists’ Association – 55
• Toronto Ornithological Club – 90
• Waterloo Region Nature – 90
• Woodstock Field Naturalists Club – 90
• York Simcoe Nature club – 25

* If we missed your group or have your anniversary recorded incorrectly, please let us know.

Ontario Nature was founded in 1931, by seven groups and 28 members, making us 93.

Interesting Links and Opportunities

• Don’t forget to nominate your hard-working volunteers for our Conservation Awards!
• We recently submitted this letter about the renewal of the Ontario Invasive Species strategy which includes our priorities and that of many Nature Network groups that sent us their thoughts.
• 2023 was, by far, the hottest year on record.

Events 

See our events calendar for a complete listing of events organized by Ontario Nature and Nature Network groups. 



To submit your public events for the online calendar, send them to noahc@ontarionature.org and allow up to a week for posting. Please send only events that are open to the public and no more than three per month.