The dedicated network of more than 150 local conservation groups helps us bring local issues across Ontario to the attention of the province. Together, we are a powerful collective voice for conservation.
        
Conservation updates for member groups.

A New Threat to the Endangered Species Act

Ontario Nature and our partners have many misgivings about the Endangered Species Act Review, which could put vulnerable species at even greater risk. Find out what’s at stake and what you can do to help by joining us on February 20, 2019 from 2-3pm for a free webinar about the review. The webinar will be presented by Anne Bell (Director of Conservation and Education, Ontario Nature), Rachael Plotkin (Ontario Sciences Campaign Manager, David Suzuki Foundation) and Justina Ray (President and Senior Scientist, Wildlife Conservation Society Canada).

You Spoke and the Government Listened

Ontario Nature is thrilled that the provincial government will be removing Schedule 10 from Bill 66. The government has indeed listened to the people. The public outcry demonstrated that ensuring that we have clean water and sustainable development are at the core of Ontarians’ values and are not negotiable. We are proud to have worked in lock-step with our Nature Network of member groups and we thank you deeply for your unwavering support. This win could not have happened without you!

2019 Reptile and Amphibian Survey Course

Registration is now open for the 2019 Reptile and Amphibian Survey Course which is scheduled for the weekends of May 24-26 and June 7-9 at Camp Kitchikewana in Georgian Bay Islands National Park. Jointly run by Ontario Nature, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, Natural Resource Solutions Inc. and Blazing Star Environmental, the course will feature classroom and field instruction by expert Ontario herpetologists. Spots fill quickly so register soon!

Be the Change at Ontario Nature’s 2019 Annual Gathering

Join us at Mohawk College in Hamilton for our 2019 Annual Gathering and celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Hamilton Naturalists’ Club – one of the original seven groups that founded Ontario Nature in 1931. The weekend will be filled with opportunities to learn, celebrate, connect with old friends and meet new ones. Registration for the gathering will open at the end of February. 

Herp Atlas App Security Breach

As many of you know, the Ontario Reptile and Amphibian Atlas app was hacked and user names, emails and passwords were posted online. If you haven’t changed your password for this account, we urge you to do so as soon as possible through the app or online. If you receive an email asking for money or referencing your password, delete it immediately – it is fraudulent. We are very sorry for the trouble this beach has caused and we thank you for your understanding and patience.

Join Couchiching Conservancy for their 2019 Annual General Meeting

Nature lovers of all stripes are invited to attend the Couchiching Conservancy’s 2019 Annual General Meeting on Saturday March 2 at the Hawk Ridge Golf and Country Club in Severn. The event will feature a keynote address by Janet Sumner of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society-Wildlands League. This is a great opportunity for local naturalists and members of the public to network and learn about the conservancy’s great work on behalf of nature. 

Events

Nature Barrie
  • Horned Larks and Tiffin Pancakes Outing to the Minesing Flats, Saturday March 9 @ 8:30am; meet at the Little Lake Parking Lot; for more information contact Brian Gibbon at 705-721-4599.
  • Darkside: Illuminating the World of Moths with Basil Conlin, Friday March 15 @ 7:30pm at North West Barrie United Church (464 Ferndale Drive North) in Barrie; for more information contact Alex Mills at 705-739-1094.
  • Spring Birds in the Minesing Floodlands, Saturday April 6 @ 7:45am; meet at the Little Lake Parking Lot; for more information contact Chris Evans at 705-722-1136.
  • American Woodcocks Outing, Wednesday April 17 @ 7:30pm; meet at the Little Lake Parking Lot; for more information contact Ian Cook at 705-727-4004.
  • Annual General Meeting and Potluck, Friday April 26 @ 6:00pm at North West Barrie United Church (464 Ferndale Drive North) in Barrie; for more information contact Alex Mills at 705-739-1094.
  • Outing to the Gables, Wednesday May 1 @ 6:00pm; meet at the Little Lake Parking Lot; for more information contact Phyllis Tremblay at 705-737-2580.
  • Outing to Copeland Forest, Saturday May 4 @ 8:00am; meet at the Little Lake Parking Lot; for more information contact Dave Lord at 705-835-6642.
  • Washago Wanderings to See Migratory Birds, Sunday May 5 @ 6:30am; meet at the Little Lake Parking Lot; for more information contact Alex Mills at 705-739-1094.
  • Spring Migration at Tiny Marsh, Saturday May 11 @ 7:00am; meet at the Little Lake Parking Lot; for more information contact Don Scanlan at 705-726-6591.
  • Birding and Wildflower Outing to the Little Lake Area, Wednesday May 15 @ 8:00am; meet at the Little Lake Parking Lot; for more information contact Phyllis Tremblay at 705-737-2580.
  • Birding Barrie, Saturday May 25 @ 8:00am; meet at the Little Lake Parking Lot; for more information contact Jim Coey at 705-543-1866.
Halton/North Peel Naturalist Club
  • Animal Tracking at Terra Cotta Conservation Area, Sunday February 24 @ 10:00am; for more information contact Don Scallen at dscallen@cogeco.ca.
Hamilton Naturalists’ Club
  • Birding in the Falklands and Beyond with Dr. David Brewer, Monday February 25 @ 7:00pm at the Burlington Seniors Centre (2285 New Street) in Burlington; for more information contact Bruce at kintail52@gmail.com.
  • Environmental Changes with Dr. Bill McIlveen, Monday March 11 @ 7:00pm at Royal Botanical Gardens Headquarters (680 Plains Road West) in Burlington; for more information visit the Hamilton Naturalists’ Club website.
  • India: Temples, Tigers and Peacocks with Peter Middleton, Monday March 18 @ 7:00pm at the Burlington Seniors Centre (2285 New Street) in Burlington; for more information contact Bruce at kintail52@gmail.com.
  • Reptile Rendezvous with Alison Forde (Senior Ecologist with SNC-Lavalin), Monday April 8 @ 7:00pm at Royal Botanical Gardens Headquarters (680 Plains Road West) in Burlington; for more information contact Lou at lou.mitton628@gmail.com.
  • Wildfowl at Slimbridge Wetlands in England with James Lees, Monday April 15 @ 7:00pm at the Burlington Seniors Centre (2285 New Street) in Burlington; for more information contact Bruce at kintail52@gmail.com.
  • Doing the Dempster: Driving Dempster Highway from Dawson to the Arctic Ocean with Jessica Bayne, Monday May 13 @ 7:00pm at Royal Botanical Gardens Headquarters (680 Plains Road West) in Burlington; for more information contact Lou at lou.mitton628@gmail.com.
Norfolk Field Naturalists
  • What a Hoot – Owl Prowl, Saturday March 2 @ 7:30pm; for more information contact Bernie at 519-427-9969.
  • Presentation on the First Nations of Southern Ontario by Garth Pottruff, Tuesday March 12 @ 7:30 pm at the Simcoe Seniors Centre (89 Pond Street) in Simcoe.
  • Winter Backus Woods Tree Ecology Hike, Sunday March 17 @ 1:00pm; for more information contact Len at 519-428-6796.
  • Preservation and Protection of Ontario’s Butterflies with Jessica Linton (Natural Resource Solutions Inc.), Tuesday April 9 @ 7:30pm at Simcoe Seniors Centre (89 Pond Street) in Simcoe.
  • Timberdoodle Night Hike, Friday April 12 @ 7:30pm; meet at 273 Charlotteville Road 2 in St. Williams; for more information contact Audrey at 519-586-9464. 
Orillia Naturalists’ Club
  • Snowshoe Outing to East Coulson Nature Reserve, Saturday February 23 @ 9:30am; meet behind Zehr’s at 8:45am to carpool; for more information contact Leanore Wiancko at 705-326-5261.
  • Flora Quiz Night, Wednesday March 6 @ 7:30pm at Orillia Museum of Art and History (Peter Street South) in Orillia; for more information contact Sue Deadman at 705-835-5355.
  • Waterfowl Outing to Staynor Eco Park, Saturday March 30 @ 9:30am; for more information contact Sue Deadman at 705-835-5355.
York Simcoe Nature Club
  • Initiatives of the East Gwillimbury Environmental Advisory Committee with Kyla Greenham, Tuesday March 12 @ 7:30pm at Queensville Holland Landing United Church (20453 Leslie Street) in Queensville; for more information visit www.ysnatureclub.com.
  • Displays of the Woodcock and Other Native Birds with Ian Cook, Tuesday April 9 @ 7:30pm at Queensville Holland Landing United Church (20453 Leslie Street) in Queensville; for more information visit www.ysnatureclub.com.
Saugeen Nature
  • Winter Nature Walk at Kinghurst Forest Nature Reserve, Saturday February 16 @ 10:00am; meet at the east parking lot for the Kinghurst reserve opposite Harrison Lake; for more information or to register contact saugeenfieldnaturalists@yahoo.ca.
  • Regular Club Meeting Featuring a Presentation on the Bruce Trail, Monday February 18 @ 8:00pm at the Masonic Lodge (33133 Grey Road 28) in Hanover; for more information contact saugeenfieldnaturalists@yahoo.ca.
  • Winter Raptors of Bruce County, Saturday March 9 @ 10:00am; meet at “Big Bruce” north of Chesley to carpool; for more information contact saugeenfieldnaturalists@yahoo.ca.
  • Outing to Wodehouse Karst, Saturday April 20 @ 10:00am; meet in Markdale across the street from the Fire and Ice Restaurant in the Old Fire Hall to carpool; for more information contact saugeenfieldnaturalists@yahoo.ca.
  • Migrating Waterfowl and shorebirds on the Grimston Flats, Saturday April 27 @ 9:30am; meet at the Scone school house to carpool; for more information contact saugeenfieldnaturalists@yahoo.ca.
Friends of Point Pelee National Park
  • Festival of Birds, May 1-20, 2019 at Point Pelee National Park; for more information visit the festival website.

Upcoming Deadlines

The next issue of the Nature Network News will be sent on March 15, 2019. The deadline for submissions is March 1, 2019. Submissions can be sent to naturenetwork@ontarionature.orgPlease note that events can be listed up to two months in advance – allowing others to put it on their calendar well in advance.

Ontario Nature publishes the Ontario Nature Network News every month with contributions from its member groups and staff. Ontario Nature grants permission for use of the information above in member group newsletters. Please credit either Ontario Nature or the member group.

JOIN US ON: Twitter  Facebook  YouTube  Tumblr icon  Ontario Nature blog icon 

 

Privacy Policy |  Unsubscribe |  Contact Us |  ontarionature.org
Photos © Rosemary Harris, David Coulson, Scott Gillingwater, Conrad Kuiper, Peter Ferguson